When you think of the Northern Beaches, golden sands and ocean breezes likely come to mind. But beyond the natural beauty lies a thriving creative community filled with galleries, workshops, festivals, and cultural events.
From Mona Vale to Manly, Brookvale to Avalon, this region offers a rich artistic landscape that welcomes locals and visitors alike.
Local art galleries to explore
Michael Reid Northern Beaches is a standout destination for fine art, often exhibiting nationally renowned artists. It’s a great stop if you're after investment pieces or inspired by Australian contemporary art.
Gallery Cats Studio brings a quirky and ever-changing collection of local works, making it a favourite for gift-hunters and art browsers alike.
Nearby in North Curl Curl, Curl Curl Creative Space frequently collaborates with artists across the region, hosting group exhibitions and community events.
Factory 5 in Warriewood is an innovative creative space that brings together artists, designers, and makers in a shared industrial setting. This collective hub offers a mix of open studios, exhibitions, and design showrooms, and is known for its vibrant, collaborative energy. It's a must-visit for anyone interested in seeing where art meets contemporary design and craft.
Outfall Art is another standout in Newport, known for its edgy exhibitions and commitment to emerging artists. This collective regularly showcases contemporary works that are created from recycled steel offcuts and sandstone found in the local waters . Outfall Art also hosts community-driven events, from panel talks to experimental installations, making it a dynamic part of the Northern Beaches art scene.
Hands-on workshops and creative classes
If you're feeling inspired, there are countless ways to get involved. The Mona Vale School of Visual Arts offers classes for children, with term art classes and holiday workshops.
Sydney Art Space in Mona Vale is another creative hub offering a diverse calendar of workshops, school holiday programs, and term-based courses. With classes in painting, drawing, printmaking and mixed media, it's a welcoming space for beginners and experienced artists alike.
Make Your Mark in Brookvale also runs a range of classes for five year olds and up, as well as adult classes, private drawing tuition and school holiday workshops. Students also have the opportunity to exhibit their work each year.
You’ll also find pop-up classes across the region at venues like Modus Brewing, Manly Bowling Club, and Manly Spirits Co., turning casual catch-ups into creative evenings.
Cultural events and festivals
The Pittwater Artists Trail is a standout event for the Northern Beaches, inviting visitors to explore open studios across Avalon, Newport, and Mona Vale. It’s a fantastic way to meet local artists and purchase work directly from the studio.
Northern Beaches Council’s Creative Open is an annual celebration featuring free art workshops, performances, and studio tours held across key suburbs like Brookvale, Dee Why, and Narrabeen.
The Manly Arts Festival, held each September, draws a huge crowd with live music, art shows, open studios and theatre performances.
You’ll also find regular markets with artisan stalls and cultural pop-ups at locations such as Mona Vale and Warriewood.
Supporting local creatives
Throughout the Northern Beaches, cafes and businesses support the arts by displaying rotating exhibitions or live acoustic music; places like Ruby Lane Manly, Armchair Collective Mona Vale, and Sunset Diner Avalon all showcase local talent.
There are also artist collectives and groups such as Eramboo, Shuffle Studio offering shared studio spaces. Lacreme Creative also has residency programs open to local artists.
Getting involved can be as simple as attending a local exhibition, taking a workshop, or following artists and venues on social media to stay connected.
Discover the creative side of the Northern Beaches
Whether you're a casual browser, an aspiring artist, or someone who simply appreciates the role of creativity in community life, the Northern Beaches has plenty to explore. Dive into a workshop, visit a gallery, or make a day of discovering something new.
Thinking of making a move?
If you’ve been thinking about making a move to somewhere with a creative community, the Northern Beaches are hard to beat. Whether you're upsizing, relocating, or looking for a home with enough space for your own studio, we're here to help.
Get in touch with the team at LJ Hooker Mona Vale for expert local advice and help with finding your new home.
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