Aerie exhibition - a celebration of the histories of the Wentworth Falls School of Arts and MAPBM

Aerie, a major exhibition held in September 2025 paralleled the anthropological, social and material cultural history of the Wentworth Falls School of Arts with MAPBM’s own history of contemporary art making and exhibiting. Aerie shone a light on the extensive heritage of the region and how community buildings have supported its social and cultural fabric. The exhibition drew on the idea of community groups without their own walls nesting in these communal spaces. As an artist run initiative (ARI) without a dedicated space, MAPBM has relied on community resources to hold exhibitions and present its members' work to the public. The exhibition was curated by MAPBM member Cassandra Hard Lawrie and featured six MAPBM member artists, Fiona Davies, Tom Isaacs, Sean O’Keeffe, Naomi Oliver, Katya Petetskaya and Alan Schacher who developed new works for Aerie, as well as the artists Beata Geyer, Anne Graham, Eloise Maree, Peachey & Mosig, and Rebecca Waterstone whose works from previous shows also formed part of the exhibition. MAPBM would like to thank Blue Mountains City Council for the opportunity to participate in the School of Arts’ relaunch and also the Blue Mountains City of the Arts Trust which supported Aerie through a grant. Images: Katya Petetskaya performing "Light and Mirrors" 2025 as part of Aerie. Images: Maja Baska.