Shellharbour City Council is inviting residents and visitors to discover the work of local artist Stephanie Quirk as the newest creative to be featured in the Art in Unexpected Places program.
On display from November 2026 to February 2027, Quirk’s exhibition Shell Studies transforms public spaces into unexpected galleries, offering audiences a chance to experience contemporary art as part of their everyday journeys through Shellharbour.
Created during her 2024 Incubator residency at The Imaginarium, Shell Studies is a collection of paintings inspired by shells gathered along the Shellharbour Village foreshore with her two children. The works explore repetition, observation and connection to place, drawing attention to the beauty found in ordinary objects often overlooked.
Caption: Stephanie Quirk’s artworks are featured in local bus shelters from November 2026 to February 2027. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council
“Art in Unexpected Places continues to make art more accessible by bringing creativity beyond traditional gallery settings and into the heart of our community,” Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said.
“Stephanie’s Shell Studies exhibition encourages us to slow down and notice the beauty in the small details around us, drawing inspiration from our coastline and highlighting the connection between place, family and creativity.
“We’re proud to support local artists through this program and provide opportunities for residents and visitors to experience high-quality art in everyday spaces.”
Bus shelter artwork locations include:
- 211 Princes Highway, Rotary Park, Albion Park Rail
- Shellharbour Primary School, Mary St, Shellharbour
- Lake Entrance Road (Wattle Road Intersection)
- 128 Shellharbour Road, Warilla
Quirk lives and works on Dharawal Country in the Illawarra and holds a Master of Fine Arts (Painting) from Sydney College of the Arts. Her practice has gained increasing recognition, most recently winning the 2026 Artist’s Choice Award at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi for her ephemeral skywriting artwork Love.
Quirk said Shell Studies was inspired by time spent exploring the Shellharbour foreshore with her children during her residency at The Imaginarium.
“Walking the shoreline with my children, collecting shells became a way of paying attention. Each shell carries its own character while also belonging to something much larger,” Ms Quirk said.
“This series is about noticing what’s at your feet and finding wonder in the small details that shape our connection to place.”
To stay updated on upcoming artist opportunities or to explore previous works featured in the program, visit the arts and culture section of Council’s website.(Opens in a new window)
KEY MESSAGES:
- Local artist Stephanie Quirk is the latest artist featured in Shellharbour’s Art in Unexpected Places program.
- Shell Studies draws inspiration from shells collected along the Shellharbour foreshore during Quirk’s residency at The Imaginarium.
- The program brings contemporary art into everyday public spaces, making creative experiences more accessible for the community.
