Art Spaces & Creative Makers

INSPIRED BY THE ABUNDANCE OF GOOD LIFE IN THE TWEED, CREATIVE PEOPLE HAVE FLOCKED TO LIVE AND VISIT HERE FOR MANY YEARS, MAKING WORKS OF ART THAT TELL STORIES OF THE REGION AND ITS PEOPLE.

With so many makers and musicians, performers and teachers living and creating here, it’s easy to get a fix of the arts, whether viewing, learning or purchasing a take-home piece. Our signature space, the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, delivers constantly changing inspiration in its six exhibition spaces that showcase local artists, travelling exhibitions and significant art awards and prizes. It also has a gorgeous Gallery Shop, research library, inviting cafe and the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio.

A must for visitors to the Gallery is some time spent in the Margaret Olley Art Centre (MOAC) and Memorial Gardens, a tribute to one of Australia’s most-loved artists, known for her paintings of still life and interiors, who grew up in the NSW Northern Rivers region. In Murwillumbah, housed within an industrious and eclectic hub known as M|Arts Precinct, is a spectrum of artists who are making, showing and selling their work out of re-purposed shipping containers. There are creative workshops on offer, art supplies on sale and filmic inspiration at the iconic art deco Regent Cinema. From coast to countryside, you’ll also find an array of small but impressive galleries popping up, celebrating the works of talented local artists from painters and ceramicists to jewellers and print makers. Take in live music across the region from regular bands at the Kingscliff Beach Hotel to national and international touring performers at Twin Towns in Tweed Heads. Be sure to mark our arts and music events in your calendar, from the Murwillumbah Arts Trail each May to the long-running Tyalgum Music Festival in September.

ASK A LOCAL

ERIKA TAYLOR, Tweed Regional Museum

Erika Taylor grew up on the Northern Rivers but her career in curation has taken her to some of the largest history and science museums in Australia. Returning home in 2012, she continued her passion for museums by joining the Tweed Regional Museum, playing an integral part in its transformation over the past decade. Erika has curated many history and science exhibitions for the Museum, including the recent award-winning projects Land|Life|Culture and Small Town Queer. Explore: We’re surrounded by ancient history in the Tweed — evidence of the volcano that was alive with lava 23 million years ago can be found all over the Shire. One of my favourites is the basalt columns at the Giant’s Causeway at Fingal Head, caused by cooling lava such a long time ago. The Aboriginal cultural significance of that area makes it one of the most special places on earth.

Sip: My secret sip tip is to try the old school milkshakes at the Austral Café. I also love Keith in Murwillumbah for coffee and they stock a unique range of organic wine, shrubs and alcoholic kombucha.

Eat: Mercado Juarez in Burringbar for community vibes on a Friday night. A local secret is Pita Line in Murwillumbah — it’s a commercial bakery but every lunch time they sell a handful of fresh, delicious pitas covered in za’atar on a table outside the bakery.

Shop: I’m naturally a sucker for old things and Heath’s Old Wares in Burringbar is an absolute treasure trove you can get stuck in for hours. I love a bit of midcentury modern and adore Roost and Kush interiors in Murwillumbah.

Do: My husband and I love creating our own foodie day tours of the area — the Tweed is packed with a huge number of really unique food and drink producers.

M U R W I L L U M B A H Set throughout an iconic Art Deco building and an adjoining industrial warehouse, M|Arts Precinct is a lively place that houses artists’ studios and a range of creative businesses. Visitors can find unique works of art and gifts to purchase, enjoy great food, drink and even catch an arthouse film.

1 Brisbane Street, Murwillumbah 2484 NSW Corner of Brisbane St. + Wollumbin St.

m-arts.com.au info@m-arts.com.au @m.arts.precinct

TOOLS, MATERIALS, SURFACES + GIFTS FOR ARTISTS.

Run by Artists, for Artists, we are always seeking the finest quality materials and exquisite tools to help you create your best work.

We stock an ever-growing range of fine art supplies. We care about your practice, so please come in and chat with us about the supplies you need, and we will source them if we can.

Trading Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30am-4pm Saturday 9am-1pm

M|Arts Precinct BRISBANE ST. SIDE

MODERN BOARD & TABLETOP GAMING REIMAGINED!

Once upon a time, there lived an Adventurer...

They thought the best quest would involve a grand plan to offer a fun adventure portal for anyone with the courage and inspiration to boldly follow the path!

Pop in and see what Cracklepoint Games is all about - it’s not just a retail store; it’s full of hundreds of games to play, buy, borrow and beg for. Most nights, there is gaming in store... bookings required.

Check out our Instagram or Facebook for more info and contact details.

Trading Hours: Wednesday

10am-6pm Thursday 11am-5pm Friday+Saturday 10am-LATE

M|Arts Precinct PROUDFOOTS LN (UPSTAIRS) @cracklepoint_games 0488 661 127

MODERN YARN SHOP

YARN · CLASSES · COMMUNITY

M|Arts Precinct BRISBANE ST. SIDE

millandmake.com @mill_and_make

BUY+SELL+TRADE · AGES 0-10 · VARIOUS PRICES

Gently used vintage + well designed childrenswear beside goods from local + abroad makers who focus on recycled modalities.

Thu-Sat

M|Arts Precinct ENTER VIA BRISBANE/WOLLUMBIN ST ENTRANCE

CINEMA • CAFÉ · BAR

Built-in 1947, The Regent has been at the heart of culture in Murwillumbah for over 70 years. The Regent is a growing hub for the arts showcasing; film, workshops, music, theatre and visual art. The Regent has a vibrant world-food cafe on-site and a licensed bar.

M|Arts Precinct BRISBANE ST. SIDE

the-regent.com.au (02) 6672 8265

PERSONALISED HANDMADE LEATHER GOODS

M|Arts Precinct ENTER VIA BRISBANE/WOLLUMBIN ST. ENTRANCE

DID YOU KNOW?

The Tweed is a region known for its farm-fresh produce, with seasonal conditions delivering local picks all year round. From small orchards to large, you’ll find fruits such as bananas, avocados, limes, mangoes and pineapples growing here while some local farms grow lesser-known varieties with flavours that are just as exotic as their names. To get a taste of these unique fruits in the Tweed, plan a visit to Buck’s Farm in Chillingham and also to Tropical Fruit World, a working exotic fruit farm with over 500 different varieties of fruit.

Acerola: Small red fruit with sour flavour and rich in vitamin C Babaco: Yellow in colour, similar to papaya with a strawberry taste

Black Sapote: From the persimmon family with a chocolate flavour

Carambola: Shaped like a star and tasting sweet and tangy when ripe Casimoroa: White sapote and said to taste like a creamy custard

Grummichama: Small red berry that tastes like a plum or cherry Jaboticaba: Grape-like, the red fruit tastes like blueberries, the white like sour lychees

Jackfruit: Largest tree fruit in the world that’s often used as a pork replacement in vegan dishes

Longan: Part of the soapberry family and similar in texture and taste to a lychee

Miracle Fruit: So-called as the fruiting berry can turn a sour taste into a sweet one Pepino: Translating as cucumber, this yellow fruit is crisp like a pear and tastes like honeydew

Pitaya: From the cactus family, this sweet tasting dragon fruit is high in fibre and vitamin C Rollinia: Said to taste like lemon meringue pie, this spiky fruit is also known as wild sweetsop

Wampi: With Chinese origins, the wampi berry is small, sweet and citrusy with notes of liquorice and coffee