Willoughby Arts Centre

The Workshop Arts Centre is an independent not-for-profit art centre & workshop facility established in 1961. Offering day & evening art classes for adults, teenagers & children across painting & drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture & jewellery. The WAC was established by the late Joy Ewart with assistance from fellow artists and supporters to promote and foster appreciation in the creative and visual arts. The Workshop’s birth is an example of a challenge being met and turned into success by the enthusiasm, initiative and hard work of ordinary people who felt strongly enough about the need for a cultural establishment on the North side of the Harbour. In cultural terms, the WAC has established itself as a unique and valuable asset within the local and broader community. WAC users have access to a wide range of professionally equipped studios. There are three large painting and drawing studios, as well as ceramics, printmaking, jewellery and sculpture studios. The WAC is also home to the Ewart Gallery. The Workshop Arts Centre maintains itself from annual membership subscriptions, studio hire fees from teachers and artists, income from gallery hire and sales from the Ewart Gallery. These have always been supplemented by fundraising functions and donations. All donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible. The Ewart Gallery was named in honour of the Workshop Art Centre’s founding member, the late Joy Ewart. The exhibition program includes works of visiting artists, members, students and teachers, some of whom are represented in prestigious collections both in Australia and overseas. The exhibitions committee welcomes exhibition proposals from individuals and groups of artists to contribute to a diverse program across a range of disciplines. The Ewart Gallery is open Monday – Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm (for certain exhibitions). Closed on Sundays and public holidays. The office is open Monday – Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.