Shellharbour City Council has unveiled its 2026/27 Artist in Residence Program, featuring a diverse lineup of artists from across the region and beyond who will work with the community to create new experiences, stories and artworks throughout the year.
Launching the program is multidisciplinary artist Samantha Thompson, who has been awarded one of two month-long residencies.
Based in Lethbridge, Victoria, Thompson creates fun, interactive art experiences that encourage people to connect, express themselves and embrace the benefits of play through art.
During her residency from 10 August to 10 September, she will deliver hands-on printmaking workshops and bring her popular Playsuits project to Eats and Beats Oak Flats supported by Bendigo Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong, inviting the community to create, dress up, connect and contribute to the event's artistic content.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said the Artist in Residence Program played an important role in supporting artists while creating meaningful opportunities for the community to engage with the arts.
"The Artist in Residence Program brings artists and communities together in a way that sparks creativity, connection and new ways of storytelling," Mayor Homer said.
"We're proud to support both emerging and established artists by providing dedicated time, space and opportunities to develop their practice, engage with new audiences, and contribute to the cultural life of our city."
Mayor Homer said the program also showcased the strength of Shellharbour's local creative sector.
"We're especially pleased to see local artists Richard Campbell, Gennifer Anderson and Price Pickett featured in this year's program," he said.
Caption: Mayor Chris Homer (centre) with artists Richard Campbell (left) and Rebekah Lambert (right), who are included in the Artist in Residence program for 2026/27. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.
"Their involvement highlights the incredible talent we have in our own backyard and creates opportunities for residents to connect with artists whose stories and experiences are deeply rooted in our community."
The 2026/27 program features artists working across a broad range of disciplines, including cultural storytelling, circus arts, writing, painting, dance, movement and music.
Artists undertaking the week-long residencies will be based at The Imaginarium in Shellharbour Village, where they will deliver free community workshops and host drop-in maker spaces that allow residents to interact directly with artists and help shape the artistic outcomes of each residency.
The Artist in Residence program is one of several initiatives supporting local artists and creative participation across Shellharbour, alongside Art in Unexpected Places, Artist of the Month, the Lake Illawarra Art Trail and Council's public art program.
2026/27 Artist in Residence program:
- Samantha Thompson - Printmaking, Textiles and Zine Making (extended residency 10 August - 10 September)
- Richard Campbell - Cultural Storytelling (26 October - 1 November)
- Price Pickett - Circus Arts (14 - 21 December)
- Rebekah Lambert - Writing (11 - 18 January 2027)
- Gennifer Anderson - Painting (15 - 22 February 2027)
- Lisa Maris McDonell - Dance (1 - 8 March 2027)
- Mel Duncan - Painting (19 - 26 April 2027)
- Susan Kennedy - Movement and Aged Care (17 - 24 May)
- Joel Ma - Music (extended residency June 2027)
KEY MESSAGES:
- The 2026/27 Artist in Residence Program will connect artists and the community through workshops, creative collaborations and new experiences across Shellharbour.
- Victorian artist Samantha Thompson will launch the 2026/27 Artist in Residence Program, bringing interactive workshops and her popular Playsuits project to Eats and Beats Oak Flats.
- The program supports artists to develop their practice while showcasing local talent, including Richard Campbell, Gennifer Anderson and Price Pickett.
