You’re invited to ANCHORED, an exhibition by artists and makers on Scotland Island and the western foreshores of Pittwater, a celebration of community and creativity.
The exhibition opens at 6 pm on Friday 27 November and runs through to 3 pm on Sunday 29 November, at the Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade Fireshed, with other activities held simultaneously in the Community Hall at Catherine Park.
Pittwater Offshore Artists and Makers Inc. (POAM) came together in March 2026 to build on a strong local tradition of community creative events, including Island H’Arts, the Gone Fishing Gallery, Island Daze in 2019, the Festival of Making in 2021, and back in 2011 a well-attended exhibition of offshore artists at Manly Art Gallery.
Each of these events drew on the talents of our close-knit, creative offshore community. ANCHORED is the first major exhibition of locally made art in five years, and will show the work of about 30 offshore residents.
ANCHORED brings together painters, sculptors, ceramicists, textile artists, photographers and woodworkers from across the offshore community, and is timed to coincide with the Fireshed’s 70th anniversary year. Architect and local resident Richard Leplastrier AO will open the event.
On the opening evening there will be live music, and over the full weekend that follows, visitors can join in free hands-on workshops, buy coffee, cakes and food at the Two Catherines Café run by SIRA each morning, and enjoy drinks at the bar in the fireshed. Work will be on sale from 6pm on Friday.
On Sunday, some of the artists and makers will join other residents running market stalls selling a wide range of art, craft and other handmade goodies, many perfect for festive gifts.
A special feature at the exhibition will be a community textile work that uses retired RFS uniform fabric as a backdrop for icons of offshore life embroidered by residents of all ages. We’re also working with other local groups, including SIRA and the Pittwater Offshore Men’s Shed (POSMS).
We are casting our invitation to ANCHORED widely, because we want the exhibition to be well attended, not only by the Scotland Island community but by residents from other offshore communities across Pittwater, and by visitors from the mainland. Please invite your friends and extended family to the exhibition and to experience the island.
ANCHORED is proudly supported by Northern Beaches Council.
FRIDAY:
Fireshed: Exhibition opening event 6 pm - 8:30 pm. Richard Leplastrier AO. (A special late ferry will take visitors back to Church Point.)
SATURDAY:
Fireshed: Exhibition open 9 am - 7 pm. Artists’ Talks 12:30 - 1.30 pm. Bar and Sausage sizzle 4 pm - 7 pm, and social gathering with artists and makers.
Community Hall & Catherine Park: Two Catherines Café opens 10 am - 1 pm serving coffee,cake and savouries alongside Embroidery Workshop. BBQ from 12:30 - 2:30 pm. Free artist-led workshops will include Drawing, Working with Clay, and Ephemeral Sculpture from 10 am - 4 pm.
SUNDAY:
Fireshed: Exhibition Open 9 am – 3 pm. Artists’ Talks 12:30-1:30 pm
Community Hall and park: Christmas market stalls 10 am-1 pm. Café opens 10 am -1 pm.
For further information see the posters below, or go to www.poam.com.au, facebook.com/poam.inc or www.instagram.com/poam.inc. Email: hello@poam.com.au.
