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Committee
Nicholas Kelly
I have worked with people with disabilities for eight years in numerous different settings. I applied to be part of the AART.BOXX committee after attending the exhibition in 2007. I was really impressed by the art as well as the stories behind the art. I currently work as a person centred planner and I am very keen to assist people to promote their talent in a respected exhibition. I hope to meet with the artists and speak to them about their work and be inspired, fascinated and intrigued by what they would like to contribute to the exhibition.
Helen Machalias
I joined the committee because I wanted to provide opportunities for artists with disabilities to express their creativity and connect with the arts community. This year I began work as a graduate officer with the federal Office for the Arts, after working as a journalist, in youth affairs and in arts administration and marketing. I’m looking forward to contributing to the publicity and writing sub-committees. I have a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Theatre and English and am about to begin a Masters in Arts Management. I am a member of Express Media’s National Advisory Committee and the Sydney Theatre Company’s Youth Advisory Panel, and in the future hope to work for an organisation that combines my passion for arts and social justice.
Jessica Miller
I think the program is a really important method of showcasing accessible arts and making the skills of the artists’ more visible. I also believe diversity in the arts is essential to a robust and exciting sector. In being part of the AART.BOXX Committee I hope to get a better understanding of how different artists interpret their thoughts and feelings, and hope make a contribution towards prioritising accessible arts within the arts community. I have worked in arts administration and production for the past four years, and before that spent a lot of time experimenting with various arts events and music ensembles including the annual Victims of Fashion Week festival.
Tony Nicholas
I am a Sydney based writer, artist, producer. I like exploring Deaf and Hearing cultures in my work, especially popular culture. I joined the AART.BOXX committee because it is an opportunity to promote the Deaf perspective, and work for the inclusion of Deaf people in the arts. This perspective and inclusion is often missing for many reasons, and through AART.BOXX I hope to rectify this and promote professional collaborations between Deaf and Hearing people in the arts.
Diana Robson
I have worked in arts administration since 1993 and am currently the curator at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery. Diversity of creative and artistic expression is key to creating significant and engaging curatorial projects and programs and I see AART.BOXX as being one such program. I applied to be a part of the AART.BOXX Creative Committee, in order to share some of my skills and knowledge within the area of exhibition curating and arts administration and also to broaden my own curatorial experience.
Rebecca Sciroli
I am a visual Artist practicing in 2D mixed media, drawing and jewellery making. I am interested in Art for health and teach Art to the public, including classes for people with various disabilities. I wanted to join the AART.BOXX creative committee as I have experience in the disabilities and arts area and I am passionate about supporting opportunities for participation in the arts for people with disabilities. I hope to provide help with creating public programs that get people excited about, and involved with AART.BOXX. I hope to see many members of the public including people with disabilities attend AART.BOXX and become open to appreciating art by people with disabilities.
Rhea Shortus
I see a project like AART.BOXX as a forum to enable people with disabilities to get the opportunity to show-case their skills (and have those validated by the art world) while at the same time, encourage the general public to understand the world of disability a little better. I’m a graphic and brand designer specialising in accessible, socially responsible design and see this committee as a worthwhile way to use my experience and skills within the wider community. I see design as a communication tool and am especially passionate about communicating to, and for, those organisations and people that have something vital to say – this committee is a valuable way to do this.
Jennifer Stockings
Jennifer Stockins is a Sydney textile artist who has recently completed her Masters degree in Creative Arts and had her work exhibited in national as well as international exhibitions. Her work consists of art pieces made from fabric and fibers. In a recent installation titled The Woman and the Octopus large-scale soft sculptures investigate Japanese fashion through the use of fabric. Jennifer created a narrative through the use of female and octopus protagonists who were inspired by a Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Hokusai. As a previous member of the last two AART.BOXX committees she enjoyed her time and felt that I have been able to learn a lot from the experience. Jennifer was able to gain experience in installing and selecting works for exhibition. As an artist and art worker Jennifer hopes to gain knowledge about a broad range of art styles and mediums and enjoy learning about other artists.
Carolyn Teo
I am an interdisciplinary artist and independent practitioner based in the field of Media Arts. I have a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Media Arts) and am currently employed as a community support worker. I am experienced in working with people with a wide range of disabilities, facilitating arts programs and workshops, as well as collaborating in community art projects. I believe my experience working in the arts with people with a disability will be of benefit to the Committee. This opportunity will also allow me to further develop my skills, knowledge and networks as an artist and art worker, as well as promote and help provide opportunities and accessibility for people with a disability.