Wentworth Street was littered with empty dilapidated shops when Red Point Artists formed a non-profit association in May 2008.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The inaugural seven members’ mission was to nurture arts practice in the Illawarra and to bring Wentworth Street in Port Kembla ‘back to life’.
After 10 years of working to “revive an ailing Port Kembla”, Red Point Artists are celebrating their success with two major events.
The first of which opened at their own gallery on Saturday and involved an exhibition of sculptural and 3D artworks. The display will be open from 10am to 2pm daily.
Group president Dulcie Dal Molin said there were now 160 Red Point Artists working all over the region as well as sharing several studios and workshops clustered around Red Point Gallery at 100 Wentworth Street.
The founding member added the “ground-breaking” early members “vigorously encouraged” new businesses to start up in the street and coaxed firms established elsewhere to move to Wentworth St.
“Wentworth Street now has nearly 70 percent commercial occupancy and renovations are under way on some older buildings,” she said.
But reviving the famous Port Kembla Billy Cart Derby in 2012 after a 25-year hiatus was a highlight.
The artists put the big show on again in 2013 and 2014, which saw thousands of visitors flock to the suburb.
“That event really put Port Kembla back on the map,” Dal Molin said.
“The sense of community has returned and, although the commercial enterprises are different from in the street’s 1950s heyday, there’s a lively business atmosphere now.”
Wollongong City Gallery will host a major exhibition of Red Point members’ artworks from May 18. It will continue until June 30.
“We’ve worked hard to put on a good show for our 10th anniversary….so we hope the people who liked our billy cart derby efforts will come and see what else we do,” she said.