THE ANNEXE

Rich & Kellie Evans

The Annexe in Portland will be hosting a selection of local Artists including sculptors, painters and drawers over the Arts Trail Weekend.

The Annexe is the newest activation on the old Cement Works site as part of The Foundations redevelopment. Playing host to a range of events, exhibitions and workshops, The Annexe is fast becoming a creative hub in the town of Portland.

The Annexe HISTORY

The Annexe building is the latest project to begin on the old cement works site, which is now known as The Foundations. In addition to the already iconic Silo Murals, the very popular monthly markets, and acclaimed metal sculptor Harrie Fasher now on site as Artist In Residence, the project is still moving forward and giving the small town something positive to focus on.

Since it was built in the early 1940’s as a feeder factory for the Lithgow Small Arms factory, the building has been a window manufacturing facility; a community hall for rollerskating, basketball and events and finally a storage facility for the cement works, until the site was closed in the early 1990s.

Works will progress over the coming months and people interested in keeping updated with the project should follow The Foundations on Facebook and Instagram.

While you are in the area, why not check out Portland’s “Signs of Yesteryear”, a showcase of beautifully restored historic advertisements throughout the town. Visitors can see iconic brands like Goanna Salve, Bushell’s Tea, Uncle Toby’s Oats, Arnott’s Biscuits, and Toohey’s Flag Ale. In October 2001, Ron Bidwell, an amazing retired signwriter, gathered colleagues from across Australia and with the help of locals, recreated these classic signs during a Letterheads meeting. Though Ron has now passed, these nostalgic murals adorn Portland, offering a glimpse into the advertising of the past and celebrating its heritage.