A taste of The MAC

Vaughan Prain midway through his painting of Martin Duke. Photos: PETER MARSHALL

THE Surf Coast arts community had a glimpse of the future on Saturday as the team behind the coming Multi-Arts Centre (The MAC) showed off their progress in the space so far.

The MAC Inc is presently transforming the former Surf Coast Sport and Recreation Centre on Torquay’s Beach Road into a black box theatre and art gallery, and held an open day at the venue.

Ryan O’Connor and Gracie Rogers from Someone New Theatre Company hold a stage fighting workshop.

Organisers said more than 800 people took a look inside over the course of the day and enjoyed the wide range of entertainment on offer.

This included swing band Musike D’Jour; loop guitarist Daniel Aaron; Wild Moves Drum & Dance; Jacki Burke, Lisa Hunter and Vaughan Prain each live painting a portrait of former Surf Coast Shire councillor Martin Duke; a stage fighting workshop from Someone New Theatre Company; a rehearsed reading from Torquay Theatre Troupe; and the Surfside Singers choir; as well as many exhibits, activities and workshops which ran all day.