The businesses have shown resilience when faced with the March flood and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Port Macquarie artist Jean Ballands was working towards an ArtWalk exhibition but decided to press on with her paintings after hearing about the cultural arts event's postponement due to COVID-19.

Her exhibition, Resilience: The art of the small business community, will open on September 27 at Port Fresh Seafoods.

Mrs Ballands chose to use the wall in the fish shop as a simple means of showing her work in the same way as people needed essentials.

"It's a back to basics approach," she said.

"I like the idea of paintings being part of everyday life for everybody."

Each work in the exhibition features seafood and a small white van.

Mrs Ballands' artist statement said the small, independent local retailers trading in Short Street were a true reflection of what our region had to offer.

"They provide the visitor with fine food and service, that together give delicious food combinations," the artist statement said.

"These select shops have continued to operate through the latest bushfires, drought, floods, and COVID restrictions, supporting each other in strength, to create new opportunities for the customer.

"The still life paintings reflect the new combinations of signature ingredients and fish from Port Fresh Seafoods."

The artist's statement said various still life compositions told of each shop owner's food suggestions and the little white van hinted at our regional need for delivery and support from others.

Port Fresh Seafoods owner Veronica Trotter said she was excited about the exhibition.

She hopes the exhibition will raise awareness of the Short Street small businesses community.

Mrs Trotter said it was also nice to be able to give back and support Mrs Ballands.

Mrs Ballands and her husband are regular customers at Port Fresh Seafoods.

The paintings in the exhibition will be for sale.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Bookmark our website

Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters

You can support us with a subscription

Follow us on Twitter: @portmacnews

Follow us on Instagram: @portmacnews

Follow us on Google News