Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries

Current Exhibitions

26 October – 19 December 2020

Swansea Library

Ninkinpa (Lake Macquarie)

See the community artwork created with the guidance of respected Aboriginal Artist Saretta Fielding.

“This artwork shares our local story of living on Lake Macquarie. The water symbols depict the Lake, east coast and our many local waterways. The Awabakal people acknowledged as the people of the hills and plains through flowing pathways running across the top of the imagery, while Mt Yengo (Uluru of the East) is depicted as a large flat top mountain in the imagery. The dreamtime story says that Biame (god) stepped down onto My Yengo when he created country. The Eagle is shown at the top of the drawing highlighting the Awabakal totem and acknowledging the traditional owners of country.” – Saretta Fielding

Charlestown Library

The history of Lake Mac Libraries

A visual history of the library service in Lake Macquarie. See how things have changed since the service began in Boolaroo in 1950.

Toronto Library

Gather 2020

See the beautiful and thought-provoking work created by our community with the guidance of respected Aboriginal Artist Saretta Fielding. Gather 2020explores how we can create a more connected community with First Nations wisdom at its centre. Saretta shared her Cultural knowledge and facilitated the creation of this work that includes the contribution of over 100 people. 

“This art work highlights gathering together around Lake Macquarie to create a community work. Flowing around the edge of the design water symbols are connected and depict communities around the Lake and people coming into a central gathering circle at the middle of the design to join the BIG DRAW project.The eagle sits on top of the design showing as the totem & acknowledgment of the Awabakal people. Connected waterholes also reflect reconnecting pathways (Yapang) taken as we reunite as a community around creative projects.”    – Saretta Fielding

The workshops were proudly provided by Lake Macquarie City Council and delivered by the Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) as part of the green BIG DRAW 2020.

Meet the Artist

Throughout the year we host a series of Meet the artist events at Launchpad libraries.

These events come in a variety of formats from live art performances, to in-depth discussions on the artists careers, inspirations and techniques. Bookings are essential and can be made online, by phone or in person prior to the event. These events will re-commence as soon as Co-vid social distancing and gathering restrictions allow.

Call out for artists

Launch your career at the library! With four concurrent exhibitions at different locations, and an exciting program of artists’ talks, workshops and demonstrations, Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries aims offer new opportunities to emerging artists with a connection to the community.

Applications can be submitted online (see application information). If you are not able to submit online please contact Julie Dunn, Lifelong Learning Leader, on 0436 915752 or jdunn@lakemac.nsw.gov.au.

Lake Mac Libraries’ exhibition spaces show drawings, paintings and photographs from exciting local emerging and community artists, students and groups.

With four concurrent exhibitions at different locations, and a program of artist’s talks, workshops or demonstrations, Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries aims to connect emerging artists with the community and host new opportunities for community participation in the arts.

Lake Mac Libraries is committed to fostering a creative community by providing quality, accessible exhibition spaces within community facilities to encourage awareness, create professional development and exchange of ideas.

Exhibition space is available at four Lake Mac Libraries branches at Belmont, Toronto, Charlestown and Swansea for students, emerging artists and community art groups.

Applications will be considered by Launchpad @Lake Mac Libraries that best reflect the objectives of the program.

• Promote exhibitions of local or cultural relevance, artistic merit and innovation
• Present exhibitions that showcase the work of emerging artists in all mediums
• Present exhibitions that are diverse and thought-provoking    

• Act as a platform for creative dialogue by encouraging wider community participation in the arts

Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries includes:                

• free exhibition space
• Promotional and marketing support for your exhibition through existing channels - 30,000 Lake Mac Libraries e-list, Council and Library websites and associated social media platforms
• Opportunity for artwork sales
• Administration of artwork sales. Lake Mac Libraries will retain a 25 per cent commission on works sold during the exhibition period.
• Lake Mac Libraries staff and volunteers will supervise the exhibition for its duration, handle art sales and provide information during opening hours.
• Exhibition period of up to 12 weeks
• Lake Mac staff and volunteers will support an exhibition opening or event of artist’s choice.
•  Exhibition sign and wall labels

Artists:

• Will provide works framed and suitable to use the supplied hanging system.   
• Will present one exhibition event of their choice - an exhibition opening, artist talk, workshop or demonstration - for no charge during the exhibition period
• are responsible for the insurance of works during the period of the exhibition and in transit to and from the library
• Lake Mac Libraries will retain a 25 per cent commission on works sold during the exhibition period unless otherwise specified.

Apply here

Launchpad @ Lake Mac Libraries Application

Lake Mac Libraries is committed to fostering a creative community by providing quality, accessible exhibition spaces within community facilities to encourage awareness, create professional development and exchange of ideas.

The Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries’ school’s program offers school students the opportunity to exhibit their work and to assist with organising and installing an exhibition.

Exhibition space is available at four Lake Mac Libraries branches at Belmont, Toronto, Charlestown and Swansea for student groups and classes.

Launchpad@LakeMacLibraries for Schools Objectives:

• Present exhibitions that showcase the work of school students in all mediums
• Act as a platform for creative dialogue by encouraging wider community participation in the arts
• Provide students with an experience of preparing and installing an exhibition

Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries for Schools includes:

• Free exhibition space
• Promotional and marketing support for your exhibition through existing channels - 30,000 Lake Mac Libraries e-list, Council and Library websites and associated social media platforms
• Exhibition sign and wall labels
• Opportunity for artwork sales
• Administration of artwork sales, if required. Lake Mac Libraries will retain a 25 per cent commission on works sold during the exhibition period.
• Lake Mac Libraries staff and volunteers will supervise the exhibition for its duration, handle art sales and provide information during opening hours.
• Exhibition period of up to 12 weeks
• Lake Mac staff will work with teachers and students to: install the exhibition, organise and prepare signage and marketing material
• Lake Mac staff and volunteers will support any exhibition opening event
• 15 reusable frames suitable for A4 or A3 works on paper available for loan

Students and teachers:

• works need to be suitable to use the supplied hanging system, and/or cabinets
• up to five students and/or teacher attend the venue on two days to assist with and experience installation and take-down of the exhibition including preparation of signage, wall labels and copy for marketing
• may elect to hold an exhibition launch event
• are responsible for the insurance of works during the period of the exhibition and in transit to and from the venue
• May elect to have works for sale. Lake Mac Libraries will retain a 25 per cent commission on works sold during the exhibition period unless otherwise specified.

Apply here

Launchpad @ Lake Mac Libraries Application for Schools

Launchpad@Belmont

• Address: 19 Ernest Street, Belmont
• Location of Launchpad: Located to the right of the entry into the branch
• Hanging Space: 10 metre wall length at 2.2 metre height (one wall)
• Linear Space: 27 metres
• Hanging System: Track system

Launchpad@Charlestown

• Address: Cnr Smith and Ridley Streets, Charlestown
• Location: Located within the branch to the right of the library entrance
• Hanging Space: 11 metres at 2.5 metre height (broken into 3 spaces)
• Linear Space: 22 metres
• Hanging System: Track system
• Display cabinets: External dimensions - 600cm (L) x 600cm (W) x 2000cm (H)
• Three moveable shelves per cabinet
• Three display cabinets available

Launchpad@Swansea

• Address: Swansea Centre, 228 Pacific Highway, Swansea
• Location of Launchpad: Located at the rear of the branch
• Hanging Space: Six metre wall length at 2.5 metre height
• Linear Space: 15 metres
• Hanging System: Track system
• Display cabinet: External dimensions - 1200cm (L) x 450cm (W) x 2000cm (H)
• 3 moveable shelves

Launchpad@Toronto

• Address: Cnr Pemell Street and Brighton Avenue, Toronto
• Location of Launchpad: Located within the branch, to the right of the service counter
• Hanging Space: 10 metre wall length at 2.2 metre height (consists of two walls 5.7m and 4.3m)
• Linear Space: 22 metres
• Hanging System: Track system
• Display cabinet: External dimensions - 600cm (L) x 600cm (W) x 2000cm (H)
• 3 moveable shelves