Multi – Arts Confederation

 For the most comprehensive up-to-date guide to cultural activities on the Central Coast, Alloura Water residents refer to the monthly magazine  published by the above group.

The Multi-Arts Confederation, known locally as MAC, was originally the Multi-Arts Centre – a group of local artists who banded together to form a lobby group for the building of an Art Centre in Gosford in 1989.

 Under the leadership of Saratogan Margaret Hardy their efforts against considerable opposition resulted in its erection on the old sewage site in East Gosford in 1994.

(After this success the then mayor suggested that the term MAC be retained with the word ‘Centre’ being replaced by ‘Confederation’ to redirect the group’s activities to work as an umbrella organisation for all the arts groups on the coast – the which it has done with considerable success ever since. The monthly publication referred to earlier is merely one of its activities. A major aim is to lobby strenuously for the Arts on the Coast – a number of residents are members – not as active perhaps now as in the 90’s – but  their support is still strong.)

 As the Art Centre was being built a formal Japanese Garden was laid out to create a most attractive setting.

This was no co-incidence.

Gosford Sister City Committee, conduit for the funding of the garden from the people of Sister City Edogawa, and MAC had common links with the Gosford Bicentennial Committee  which organised cultural activities across Gosford City during 1988. This resulted in a number of local people acting on the committees of both organisations.

This led naturally to a joint venture with the opening of Stage 1 of the Art Centre and the Japanese Garden in the mid 90’s.

A few years later Stages 2 and 3 were completed and now that the garden has matured we have what must be one of the most beautiful art centres in the state.

Conducted Tours

Art Gallery –    Saturdays – 1.30p.m.

 Gardens     -     Saturdays – 11a.m.