Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

15/10/2026

Pages upon pages upon pages.

Unbound by Lee Mitchell uses discarded books, found locally, to form a series of impressive sculptural installations.

For centuries our shared understanding of humanity was shaped by books. Handed down, leather bound, paper backed and dog eared. Today, rapid digitalisation means hundreds of millions of books are discarded annually in Australia alone. Unbound asks what happens when the dominant medium for connecting us with our past is untethered.

Install is currently underway. Unbound will open in the gallery this Saturday 17 Oct.

14/10/2026

Draw inspiration from the Dobell and explore your own creative voice! ✏️🎨

Join artist Pam Vaughan for a two-day mixed media workshop inspired by the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize. Experiment with pencil, charcoal, ink, collage and paint as you explore observational, abstract and playful approaches to drawing in a supportive, creative environment.

Drawing from the Dobell with Pam Vaughan
24–25 October
10am–3.30pm daily
$260 / $230 InSight Members
Only a few spots left!

Suitable for anyone looking to loosen up their practice, develop their visual language and connect with drawing in new ways.

Tickets via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/drawing-from-the-dobell-with-pam-vaughan-tickets-1992033522891?aff=oddtdtcreator

Image: Pam Vaughan, untitled, digitally modified sections of ink on paper drawing (also untitled but of a Megalong Valley storm), 2026.

10/10/2026

Did you catch us on Sydney Weekender last weekend?

We were delighted to welcome the Sydney Weekender crew to the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and showcase some of the experiences that make our corner of the Mountains so special.

From exhibitions and stunning views to our Gallery Shop and Café, the segment highlights just a few of the reasons locals and visitors alike love spending time here.

If you missed it, don't worry! You can watch the segment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCbastGxbm0

Visit the creative heart of Katoomba. Visit our website for more ...

08/10/2026

🎬 Bus Stop Films' Accessible Filmmaking Program Open Days are coming to 15 locations across Australia!

From 17–24 October, they're opening their doors and inviting you to experience Bus Stop Films’ Accessible Filmmaking Program in action.

Come along to:

🎥 Sit in on a workshop and see inclusive filmmaking in action
🤝 Meet our participants, workshop leaders and support workers
🌟 Watch short films created through the program
🎬 Learn more about building filmmaking and job-ready skills, and pathways into the screen industry
✨ Find out how you can get involved in 2027

Open Days are FREE to attend and will be held in Moore Park, Parramatta, Wollongong, Blue Mountains, Coffs Harbour, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide, Darwin and Canberra.

📅 17–24 October 2026
🎟️ FREE registration

Open Day Dates & Times:

Saturday 17 October | 12:00pm–1:00pm
Canberra, Gold Coast, Parramatta, Wollongong, Darwin, Adelaide, Brisbane and Coffs Harbour

Saturday 17 October | 4:00pm–5:00pm
Melbourne, Launceston, Perth and Hobart

Sunday 18 October | 12:00pm–1:00pm
Moore Park

⭐Monday 19 October | 12:30pm–1:30pm
Blue Mountains⭐

Saturday 24 October | 12:00pm–1:00pm
Cairns

Register now: Bus Stop Films Open Days 2026:
https://busstopfilms.com.au/events/accessible-filmmaking-program-open-days



Image description: Bus Stop Films Open Day 2026 graphic featuring two participants working with filmmaking equipment. Text highlights 15 locations nationwide, dates from 17–24 October and a “Register Now” call to action.

08/10/2026

Our current exhibition, Tree Tales, closes this Sunday 11 October, so don't miss your opportunity to experience this beautiful collection show before it finishes.

Tree Tales was able to be presented between exhibitions following an unexpected postponement due to artist illness, and we're delighted that so many visitors have enjoyed this special showcase.

We're also thrilled to share that Lee Mitchell's Unbound will proceed as originally scheduled. Our team will begin installing the exhibition next week, ready for its opening on Saturday 17 October. Stay tuned for a first look at Unbound next week as we begin install!

Images are all installation views of Tree Tales:
1: L-R WENDY TSAI The Gully 1 – 7 2019, JOAN ROSS Stocktake $ale! Now on! 2015
2: EUAN MACLEOD Leura 13 1991, Leura 6 1991, Leura 5 1991
3: TOHBY RIDDLE Winter Twilight, Katoomba 2020
4: JULIE PATERSON Silver Top 2022 and Library of Shapes (Silver Top) 2022

07/10/2026

We have opened up a few more spots in both of Bill Hope's popular workshops tomorrow! Get in quick so you don't miss out.

Character Design
🖌 10–11.30 am | Ages 12–18

Learn the fundamentals of character design, including drawing faces, anatomy and posing, and discover how to bring your original characters to life.

Your Art... Out in the World!
🎨 1–3 pm | Ages 17–24

Ready to take your creativity beyond the sketchbook? Explore career opportunities in the arts, personal branding, self-promotion, and ways to share your work with a wider audience.

Proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Office for Youth.

Both workshops are free, but bookings are essential via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/blue-mountains-cultural-centre-31208197813

30/09/2026

Tune in this Sunday to see us on Sydney Weekender!

29/09/2026

DROP-IN SESSIONS: Children's Voices - Help shape Council's Child, Youth & Family Plan

💫TOMORROW: Katoomba 30 Sept here at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre

This is an enjoyable and inclusive opportunity for children aged 7 - 12 to share their ideas, experiences and expectations about places in the Blue Mountains, including swimming pools, libraries, parks, art galleries, ovals/ sports fields and natural spaces.

Children will be invited to speak with Council staff and make an artwork or construction to show how they like to play in these spaces.

26/09/2026

We are looking to welcome some new members to our wonderful volunteer team at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.

We currently have vacancies for Front of House Volunteers. This role includes greeting visitors, assisting staff with stock displays and receiving orders, helping ensure our Gallery volunteers get their breaks, maintaining a safe and welcoming Gallery environment, and keeping our popular Makers' Trolleys neat, tidy and ready for creativity.

Available shifts:
Sunday PM: 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Monday AM: 10.00am - 1.30pm
Wednesday AM: 10.00am - 1.30pm

If you enjoy chatting with visitors, have a good knowledge of the local area, and would like to meet new people while supporting the Cultural Centre, this could be the perfect role for you.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer, we'd love to hear from you via [email protected] or you can pick up a volunteer form from Reception at the Cultural Centre.

24/09/2026

OPENING TOMORROW NIGHT:
24th Dobell Drawing Prize + Tree Tales
6 - 8 pm. All welcome!

Please note that Unbound: Lee Mitchell has been postponed until 2027 due to unforeseen circumstances. In it's place we will have a Collection exhibition, Tree Tales.

Tree Tales highlights the tree as an omnipotent observer of human history. These living monument act as an impartial overseers of our daily lives, without passing judgement they are our constant companions. Exhibiting artists include Euan Macleod, Julie Paterson, Tohby Riddle, Joan Ross and Wendy Tsai.

Images are all Install shots as we get the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize hung ready for the big night tomorrow.

Image 1:
l - r Peter Burke, I haven’t forgotten, 2024, synthetic polymer paint, ink, pastel and vinyl on paper, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Peter Burke, Floria Tosca, Nature Deity, 2023, pencil and gouache on birch board, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Jenny Carter and Imogen Eve Rowe, Céleste's Front Yard (red brick and bougainvillea), 2024, watercolour on Yupo paper, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Imogen Eve Rowe.

Image 2:
l - r Chesca Athas, Loki, 2024, pencil on paper, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Alexander Cooke and Julian Aubrey Smith, Bathtime, 2024, ink, charcoal and pastel on paper, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Julian Aubrey Smith

Image 3:
l - r Nic Plowman, ! – And, there she was..., 2023, charcoal, graphite, colour slick and pastel on acrylic paper, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Nic Plowman, J9 Stanton, Shadow of a disappearing landscape, 2024, aluminium mesh, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Michael Walters and Jan Davis, The Red Sweater, 2024, graphite and watercolour on Sekishu washi, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Raimond de Weerdt