This October, The Foundations at Portland in the NSW Central West comes alive with the spirit of making. The inaugural Creative Foundations Alumni Exhibition brings together 13 past artists-in-residence, returning to showcase sculpture, painting, and drawing in The Annexe. Featured artists include Harrie Fasher, Penelope McKeown, Robbie Flowers, Tim Hall, Gwenda Hall, Steven Hogan, Margaret Hogan, Monique Lovering, Nic Mason, Kim Fasher, Martin Oldfield, Adrian Cook, Annabell Mason and Lindsey Johnson.

Visitors can experience everything from evocative landscapes and rhythmic line drawings to bold steel sculptures and immersive large-scale works. The exhibition celebrates the Squatter's Artist in Residence program, established in 2020, which has welcomed over 40 artists to live and create at the historic Squatter's Cottage, once Portland's first Bank of NSW.

The exhibition is open weekends throughout October, coinciding with the new Makers Month festival at The Foundations. Each weekend brings something different: Long Weekend Markets, Draw Portland, Leather & Threads, Firey Finale and the Lithgow Arts Trail.

Makers Month is proudly supported by Lithgow City Council and celebrates art, culture, heritage, and regional talent. Set against the backdrop of the heritage Portland Cement Works, it's the perfect time to discover The Foundations—where history and creativity meet.