Mayor Adam Roberts launches JOY Port Macquarie
Sincere thanks to Port Macquarie Mayor Adam Roberts and to Deputy Mayor Nik Lipovac for launching JOY in Port Macquarie on 5 December 2025.
Earlier this year, we circulated an open call for local artists under 15 who wanted to be part of this exhibition.
The result? An eye-catching exhibition of abstracts, landscapes, botanicals, cockatoos, bearded dragons, Quirky Firky and King Fishy Lee.
At the launch, Mayor Roberts welcomed parents and friends and congratulated the young artists in JOY.
We also heard from Sushan Sharath, age 9, and from Ainslie Goodwin, parent of young artist Jaxon Goodwin.
Sushan said he was glad for the opportunity to show his work; Jaxon was so excited to be included that he told Ainslie when he heard the news: ‘Mum, quick, call 911!’
We didn’t name 1st, 2nd and 3rd best-in-show. But we had gift vouchers to share, so we asked the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to draw names out of a ballot box.
Seven delighted young artists won vouchers for art supplies from Canvas Momentz and Alice’s Art Craft and Paper Supplies. The winners of those vouchers were Xavier Siah, Shakra Mathy, Hazel Horwood, Hudson Day, Jackson Goodwin, Olivia Ball-Jurd and Elliot Lee.
Annabelle Taylor, age 6, received a gift voucher from the Seed Art School for one-on-one tuition.
In the spirit of the occasion, Luminance Gallery bought Jaxon Goodwin’s painting of a large orange elephant and presented it as a gift to Port Macquarie Hastings Council.
In his artist statement for Spirits of Colour, Jaxon writes: “I am an autistic artist and I painted this elephant because I love how strong and gentle elephants are. I used bright colours instead of grey because I see the world in my own way, full of patterns, feelings and colour. My elephant shows that being different is something to celebrate.”
You can view the JOY exhibition online, although for maximum impact, visit us at 2/26 Clarence Street Port Macquarie. We’re in the Garrison Building, across the forecourt from Glasshouse.
We invited Luke Baker to participate in JOY as a special guest. Luke won the Luminance 2025 Emerging Artists Prize (age category 15- 25), and earned himself a spot in this exhibition.
We also invited established local artists Yvonne Kiley, Jon Dorne, Rose Burke and Malcolm Harding to show their work. Together, these guests illuminate some of the pathways for young people who want to follow their creative vision.
JOY runs at Luminance Gallery Port Macquarie until 24 December 2025.
Gold sponsor is McGrath Port Macquarie.
Other local business supporting this exhibition are:
Port Macquarie Mayor Adam Roberts with Wauchope’s Jaxon Goodwin, age 9. Behind them is Jaxon’s painting, Spirits of Colour, acrylic on canvas, 210cm x 91cm. Photo: Lee Davison Media.
