History of the Multi Arts Confederation

BRIEF HISTORY OF MULTI ARTS CONFEDERATION & FRIENDS OF CAROLINE BAY INC.

The Multi Arts Confederation was born out of the need for cultural facilities on the Central Coast. The Visual Arts sub Committee of the Gosford Bicentennial Committee had been trying to get venues to display exhibition during the Bicentennial and found venues few and far between. They were successful in getting permission to show the Council's Art Collection at Brentwood Village, Imperial Centre, Gosford, Woy Woy Deepwater Plaza, and Mangrove Mountain Hall. Chairman of the sub committee was Ed Raftery and Margaret Hardy was Secretary. Ed was a sculptor and poet and Margaret was Secretary of the Central Coast Art Society and member of the Gosford Sister City Committee.

Margaret Hardy was asked to call a meeting of local cultural groups to get support for an active, lobbying group to put together a plan and vision. The meeting was held in January 1986 at the Uniting Church Hall, Donnison Street Gosford with 35 groups attending. A motion was passed unanimously supporting the setting up of such a group to work for the building of an arts complex at Caroline Bay, East Gosford. This proposal had first been mooted in the early 1970's but had fallen by the side due to lack of money and support from past Councillors.

Margaret became the Secretary and Charles Gosford became President. MAC became Incorporated and the first newsletter was sent out in June 1986. The first committee had good representation with representatives from music, visual arts, embroidery, crafts etc. They were successful in getting Gosford Council to set up a Cultural Committee which met for some years. Through this committee they were also successful in having Jonah Jones employed to do a study of cultural facilities. This study was done, but it did not comply with the communities wishes for Caroline Bay to be the site for the arts facility.

Many long disputes were fought before Council agreed to build the Arts Centre at Caroline Bay. We were very lucky to have Edogawa City Mayor, Mr Nakazato, offer a Japanese Garden to the then Mayor, Dr Pat Harrison. This saved the land from a canal development and also cleaned up the old sewerage pit. The support of the local Trade Unions, Peace Forum, Environment and art groups pulled together and now we enjoy the benefits. The Arts Centre and the Japanese Garden shared facilities which saved quite a bit of money for Gosford Council.

MAC continued to work to have the Gosford Regional Gallery built and also the Friendship Walk connecting the arts facilities with the Potters Workshop and Hand weavers and Spinners Cottage.

They continued to support local groups and artists, organised the Sister City Art Prize, which later became the Gosford Art prize; the Central Coast Festival of the Arts in Kibble Park for 9 years. Organised International Women's Day Celebrations and many other exhibitions.

Over the years they have been called on to auspice other events and give advice to Council and councillors.