Three Coffs Coast artists win a place in Shared Practice

THREE visual artists from the Coffs Coast are amongst 10 artists who have been selected to take part in the Mid North Coast Shared Practice, a new 18-month artist development program delivered by Arts Mid North Coast.

Shared Practice supports emerging and mid-career visual artists through a program of mentorship, professional development workshops and peer exchange, culminating in a final group exhibition.

Designed specifically for regional artists, the initiative creates space for participants to deepen their practice, connect with peers and develop sustainable creative careers while remaining based on the Mid North Coast.

Lead mentor and artist Sara Bowen said she’s grateful for the opportunity to offer participants a breadth of perspective on what a creative practice can look like.

“It’s fantastic and also slightly nerve-wracking to be a mentor, but it does mean a lot professionally to be recognised as having accumulated enough experience to be able to share some of it with others,” Ms Bowen said.

Coffs Coast participant Tori Ann Donnelley told News Of The Area that being a part of the Shared Practice program means she will be able to work in a collaborative environment while learning from established artists and creating new works alongside her peers.

“I am looking forward to connecting and working with artists within the region,” she said.

“You never know, we might all become industry professionals one day and I think that is what makes this opportunity exciting and special.

“Personally, I love creating and I enjoy being able to expand my practice, learn new skills and then hop into the studio and create.

“I am hoping to make good connections with fellow artists during this time and expand my practice.”

For Coffs Harbour artist Kelly Joy, being part of the Shared Practice Program “means a great deal to me” at this stage of her career.

“As a regional artist, opportunities for connection and meaningful dialogue with other creatives are incredibly valuable.

“I’m really looking forward to learning alongside peers, sharing experiences, and being part of a supportive creative community.

“I hope the program will help me gain clarity and momentum in my studio practice, particularly around a body of work exploring the mother–child connection.

“I’m also excited to develop sustainable ways of working that I can carry forward and share with others through teaching and community-based creative spaces.”

Coffs Coast artist Kelly Finley has lived in the area for 18 years and managed a small florist shop in Sawtell for much of that time.

“Six years ago, I returned to painting and developed my practice at Sawtell Art Gallery,” she told NOTA.

“Shared Practice presents a strong opportunity to build skills and engage in structured collaboration with other regional artists.

“Access to mentorship and peer exchange will support both my creative development and professional growth, and I look forward to contributing to the program and final group exhibition.”

The program will begin with the first professional development workshop held on Saturday, 18 April at the Bellingen Memorial Hall, bringing the selected artists together as a group for the first time.

It is being facilitated by Hey Mate, which was funded by a NAB Foundation Community Grant to run Creative Resilience Wellbeing Workshops in regional locations.

Shared Practice has been funded by the Australian Government through Creative Australia and is delivered in partnership with Yarrila Arts and Museum, Glasshouse Gallery, Nulla Nulla Regional Gallery, Saltwater Freshwater Arts and Nambucca Valley Phoenix.

By Andrea FERRARI