STRENGTH IN UNITY - LGBTQIA+ ART EXHIBITION - COASTAL TWIST FESTIVAL

Name: STRENGTH IN UNITY - LGBTQIA+ ART EXHIBITION - COASTAL TWIST FESTIVAL
Start: 2025-09-30T06:00:00+10:00
End: 2025-10-05T06:00:00+10:00
Location: 141 Mann St, Gosford NSW 2250, Australia

Schedule

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025 at 06:00 am to Sun, 05 Oct, 2025 at 06:00 am

UTC+10:00

Location

141 Mann St, Gosford NSW 2250, Australia | Gosford, NS

🌈 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧𝗤𝗜𝗔+ 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 & 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝘀 “𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆” – 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 🎨
Celebrating our 5th annual LGBTQIA+ Art Exhibition, this year’s showcase aligns with the 2025 Festival theme and brings together a powerful curation of works by professional, mid-career, and emerging artists from across the Central Coast. Expect a vibrant mix of ceramics, painting, photography, multimedia, and sculpture—each piece offering a unique, locally-rooted LGBTIQ perspective with a signature Coastal Twist.
The exhibition will take place in the newly launched FunHaus Factory’s Basement Gallery, a dedicated space designed to amplify bold, diverse voices and deepen creative engagement in the heart of Gosford.
The exhibition also proudly includes works by young creatives aged 12–17, as well as an all-ages category, continuing our commitment to intergenerational artistic expression.
“Strength in Unity” explores themes of identity, resilience, transformation, and community.
Some artists challenge the status quo through political statements. Others reflect on personal struggles and journeys to empowerment. Still others share intimate moments of change and self-discovery. Together, these works form a rich, honest tapestry of coastie lives and queer creativity.
This year, we’re honoured to welcome celebrated artist Sandro Nocentini as guest curator. A Sulman Prize winner and internationally exhibited painter and sculptor, Sandro brings over 30 years of experience and a deep passion for nurturing diverse artistic voices - from grassroots collectives to commercial galleries.
“I am thrilled to be involved with the Coastal Twist Festival. It famously supports community expression and unity through art. I’m excited to help showcase the incredible talent that thrives in our region.” — Sandro Nocentini
<< All Events
Coastal Twist LGBTQIA+ Arts & Culture Festival proudly unveils “Strength in Unity” – our major new group exhibition for 2025.
Celebrating our 5th annual LGBTQIA+ Art Exhibition, this year’s showcase aligns with the 2025 Festival theme and brings together a powerful curation of works by professional, mid-career, and emerging artists from across the Central Coast. Expect a vibrant mix of ceramics, painting, photography, multimedia, and sculpture—each piece offering a unique, locally-rooted LGBTIQ perspective with a signature Coastal Twist.
The exhibition will take place in the newly launched FunHaus Factory’s Basement Gallery, a dedicated space designed to amplify bold, diverse voices and deepen creative engagement in the heart of Gosford.
The exhibition also proudly includes works by young creatives aged 12–17, as well as an all-ages category, continuing our commitment to intergenerational artistic expression.
“Strength in Unity” explores themes of identity, resilience, transformation, and community.
Some artists challenge the status quo through political statements. Others reflect on personal struggles and journeys to empowerment. Still others share intimate moments of change and self-discovery. Together, these works form a rich, honest tapestry of coastie lives and queer creativity.
This year, we’re honoured to welcome celebrated artist Sandro Nocentini as guest curator. A Sulman Prize winner and internationally exhibited painter and sculptor, Sandro brings over 30 years of experience and a deep passion for nurturing diverse artistic voices—from grassroots collectives to commercial galleries.
“I am thrilled to be involved with the Coastal Twist Festival. It famously supports community expression and unity through art. I’m excited to help showcase the incredible talent that thrives in our region.” — Sandro Nocentini
Exhibition open during Venue Hours: Wed – Sundays: Please see venue website for details
Want to submit your art to the 2025 Coastal Twist Art Exhibition?
Apply here!

The 2025 Coastal Twist Festival Art Exhibition is presented in association with ACON and Qtopia who have contributed to this years festival artworks.
We’re Here for You – 40 Years of ACON celebrates. 40 years of unwavering support, advocacy, and community care. From its beginnings during the HIV/AIDS crisis to its role today as a leader in LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing, ACON has stood strong for our communities. This exhibition showcases the campaigns that have shaped ACON, honouring the courageous journey of those who came before and the ongoing path toward a future where we are all supported, visible and proud.
Come and help ACON celebrate its 40th Anniversary by reflecting on its history, as we look to the future of our community.