Five years of celebrating culture and creativity: NAIDOC Week at Coastline Bank

For the past five years, Coastline Bank has proudly supported NAIDOC Week through a deeply meaningful initiative: hosting annual First Nations art exhibitions at our Port Macquarie and Kempsey Art Hubs.

These exhibitions are more than just a showcase of talent - they’re a celebration of culture, connection, and country, and an opportunity for our community to stand together in recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their stories, and their strength.

A platform for local voices

Since launching our first NAIDOC exhibition in 2021, our Art Hubs have welcomed artists from across the Mid North Coast - emerging and established - each bringing their unique style and powerful perspective.

This year, we’re proud to welcome Colleena Smith to the Port Macquarie Art Hub. A talented artist known for her evocative work exploring connection to land and identity, Colleena’s contributions promise to be a highlight of the 2025 exhibition.

Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of displaying hundreds of artworks, ranging from vibrant paintings and woven pieces to mixed media and sculpture. Every exhibition tells a story: of history, of resilience, of identity and belonging. And every year, we’re moved by the creativity, depth, and spirit each artist brings to their work.

Supporting artists through opportunity

This year, three talented artists - one from each of the valleys - will each receive a $1,000 scholarship, proudly provided by the Coastline Bank Community Foundation. These scholarships are designed to support emerging and established artists in developing their practice and sharing their work with a wider audience.

It’s one of the ways we continue to invest in the creative talent across our region and celebrate the vital role First Nations artists play in our cultural landscape.

Showcasing five years of powerful artwork

To mark this milestone, we’re sharing a selection of artworks that have been featured in our NAIDOC Week exhibitions over the past five years. These pieces are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of our region and the stories still being told through contemporary art today.

Each artwork featured reflects the artist’s personal journey and deep connection to Country, community, and culture. We invite you to take a moment to explore and reflect.

An ongoing commitment

Coastline Bank is committed to building respectful, meaningful relationships with First Nations communities and continuing to support spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture can be celebrated, shared, and honoured.

As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to using our platforms to support truth-telling, reconciliation and creative expression - not just during NAIDOC Week, but all year round.

Visit our Port Macquarie Art Hub this NAIDOC Week to view the 2025 exhibition, featuring works by Colleena Smith and other local artists, and celebrate First Nations art, culture and community.

For more information about exhibiting, visit the Our Spaces webpage.

🎨 Banner artwork: Journey and Land by Colleena Smith.