top of page
All About Art
About Our 2025 Artists
Chris Hoggard
Inspiration for Chris's work comes from where she lives. Chris has an old cottage on a small acreage in the Western District. the garden she has created over the years, is a home to a range of creatures both wild and domestic. Chris makes garden art, bird baths and small garden sculptures to decorate gardens using Earthenware/stoneware and Raku clay. She explores various seedpods, leave structures and found objects for surface texture. In 2017 Chris left her job as an Art and Visual Communications teacher to explore her love of ceramics further. She started running classes for adults two days a week in her studio and in 2028 did a Post Graduate diploma of Ceramics at Federation University Ballarat where she further developed her skills in sculpting and glazing.
Andrew Middlehurst
Andrew has been painting and drawing for as long as he can remember. Practicing patience and learning new technics over the last 3 years, he has refined his palette and developed a bold and expressive style. Inspired by life’s simple pleasures, he paints mostly from instinct and loves to experiment.
Living so close to the Surfing and wildlife reserves, also neighbouring National parks and Marine parks Andrew is constantly reminded of the beauty and ancient history all around us here on Wadawarrung country.
A place which we should never take for granted.
Living so close to the Surfing and wildlife reserves, also neighbouring National parks and Marine parks Andrew is constantly reminded of the beauty and ancient history all around us here on Wadawarrung country.
A place which we should never take for granted.
Simone Feher
With a love of textiles and all things handmade, Simone started her knitting journey when she was about 10 years old. Her Grandmother, Mum and Auntie were all knitters. Her first pieces were always going to be the traditional beanies and scarfs. But when she met her now husband at the ripe old age of 15, she decided to graduate, and knit him a couple of beautiful Aran jumpers.
Moving forward to having their own children she knitted them a multitude of pieces and discovered the wonderful world of boutique yarn at Pear Tree Torquay. She was also taken under Sue Ingpen’s wing. It was here she learnt about yarn and eventually the art of spinning her own wool. This was a time of growth for her and a time where she found herself diagnosed with breast cancer. Knitting helped her during this time and she went on to create Meboobiez.
Meboobiez started on her hospital bed after her first surgery where she knitted her own prosthetic breast! She has continued to supply the local hospital with these in all shapes when required.
Today, she still works in the corporate world 9 – 5 but her time at night is spent knitting and spinning her wool with her animals (and Family). She says she is lucky to have a healthy supply of raw fleeces of both wool and alpaca most of which would be used as compost if not spun and knitted up. She dyes her own yarn and creates one off pieces for everyone to enjoy.
Moving forward to having their own children she knitted them a multitude of pieces and discovered the wonderful world of boutique yarn at Pear Tree Torquay. She was also taken under Sue Ingpen’s wing. It was here she learnt about yarn and eventually the art of spinning her own wool. This was a time of growth for her and a time where she found herself diagnosed with breast cancer. Knitting helped her during this time and she went on to create Meboobiez.
Meboobiez started on her hospital bed after her first surgery where she knitted her own prosthetic breast! She has continued to supply the local hospital with these in all shapes when required.
Today, she still works in the corporate world 9 – 5 but her time at night is spent knitting and spinning her wool with her animals (and Family). She says she is lucky to have a healthy supply of raw fleeces of both wool and alpaca most of which would be used as compost if not spun and knitted up. She dyes her own yarn and creates one off pieces for everyone to enjoy.
Elida Luciarte
Elida, born in Guernica (Spain), studied Fine Arts at the University of the Basque Country, before furthering her education in Painting at the University of Ballarat. Drawn to figurative art, her direction shifted toward seascapes after relocating to the Surf Coast, where the ocean became her primary muse.
Despite this focus, she consistently works on portrait paintings, balancing her love for both fields. This year, she leaves the seascapes behind to explore a fresh theme: Portraits of Birds, showcased at the AAA All About Art exhibition.
In addition to her artistic endeavours, Elida runs the Torquay Art Hub, where she leads art classes and serves as an art representative. Her art classes are well-regarded for their focus on traditional painting techniques and her thoughtful teaching approach. She finds great fulfillment in mentoring the exceptionally talented artists in her programs, fostering a vibrant and creative community.
Despite this focus, she consistently works on portrait paintings, balancing her love for both fields. This year, she leaves the seascapes behind to explore a fresh theme: Portraits of Birds, showcased at the AAA All About Art exhibition.
In addition to her artistic endeavours, Elida runs the Torquay Art Hub, where she leads art classes and serves as an art representative. Her art classes are well-regarded for their focus on traditional painting techniques and her thoughtful teaching approach. She finds great fulfillment in mentoring the exceptionally talented artists in her programs, fostering a vibrant and creative community.
David Graham
David's unique practice explores the potential of contemporary blacksmithing. His work evaluates and extends the possibilities of forging hot steel in a constant attempt to shift objects from a purely utilitarian beginning to a wholly reimagined future state.
Inspired by the natural world, David's art reflects the dynamic energy of the environments he loves, mixed with a heavy influence of how blacksmiths have forged through the industrial revolutions.
With 25+ years of practice, and as a resident artist at Ashmore Arts since 2015, he has forged his artistic approach, establishing a career as a sculptor with a focus on large installations.
Exhibitions
2024 Group Exhibition, Geelong Sculptors, Spring Exhibition, Anglesea, Vic
2024 Group Exhibition, Geelong Sculptors, Autumn Exhibition, Barwon Heads Arts Council, Vic
2020 Solo Exhibition, The Convent Gallery, Daylesford, Vic
2020 Group Exhibition, Makers in Metal, The Papermill, Geelong, Vic
Inspired by the natural world, David's art reflects the dynamic energy of the environments he loves, mixed with a heavy influence of how blacksmiths have forged through the industrial revolutions.
With 25+ years of practice, and as a resident artist at Ashmore Arts since 2015, he has forged his artistic approach, establishing a career as a sculptor with a focus on large installations.
Exhibitions
2024 Group Exhibition, Geelong Sculptors, Spring Exhibition, Anglesea, Vic
2024 Group Exhibition, Geelong Sculptors, Autumn Exhibition, Barwon Heads Arts Council, Vic
2020 Solo Exhibition, The Convent Gallery, Daylesford, Vic
2020 Group Exhibition, Makers in Metal, The Papermill, Geelong, Vic
Jennifer O'Sullivan
Jennifer began her journey into the magical world of glass 14 years ago, when she attended a weekend Glass Mosaic Workshop. She progressed to glass fusing, and since moving 7 years ago to the Surf Coast, she has held workshops in her home studio “Glass Works Torquay”. Jennifer also discovered the Anglesea Art House ,and became a member, to be inspired by likeminded people. There she is able to use the wonderful facilities that include 2 glass kilns! Jennifer currently facilitates workshops and a weekly glass group.
Her work, Emerald Earth, was chosen to be featured in the 2020 Surf Coast Arts Calendar and in 2021 she was the glass ambassador for the Surf Coast. Sharing glass art in workshops is something that is so satisfying to Jennifer. She says “Commission pieces are very special to do and liaising with a client to create glass art for their space is what I get so much pleasure from”. Jennifer believes glass is exciting to work with, and can have a mind of its own often creating something unique. With it all, she loves to connect with people especially, through all forms of art.
Her work, Emerald Earth, was chosen to be featured in the 2020 Surf Coast Arts Calendar and in 2021 she was the glass ambassador for the Surf Coast. Sharing glass art in workshops is something that is so satisfying to Jennifer. She says “Commission pieces are very special to do and liaising with a client to create glass art for their space is what I get so much pleasure from”. Jennifer believes glass is exciting to work with, and can have a mind of its own often creating something unique. With it all, she loves to connect with people especially, through all forms of art.
Lindy Banner
Established painter, collage artist, fabric designer and photographer, Lindy Banner has been creating her vibrant paintings for decades. Inspired by beautiful blooms and the stunning Surf Coast landscape, Lindy intuitively channels joy into all her art with the aim to share this emotion with the viewers and lucky owners of her paintings.
Karen Harvey
With a background in horticulture and landscape design, Karen brings her love of nature and keen eye for detail to her jewellery design and making, which extends her passion for beautiful handcrafted objects.
She works mainly with Sterling Silver, but also gold and other metals. Karen uses traditional silversmithing techniques along with some unconventional processes to shape and form works of wearable art.
She designs and creates each individual piece by hand in her studio in rural Victoria - inspiration for her jewellery comes not only from her surroundings but from within ... sentimental moments and meanings are often captured to be made into a lasting memento of precious thoughts, feelings and memories.
Karen also enjoys working with clients to create individual pieces which reflect the personality of the wearer, or have deeper personal meanings for them. "It is always a joy to see the happiness in the faces of clients when they collect their piece that they have had a part in designing or to hear back from them with their stories of what the jewellery means to them or their special someone."
She works mainly with Sterling Silver, but also gold and other metals. Karen uses traditional silversmithing techniques along with some unconventional processes to shape and form works of wearable art.
She designs and creates each individual piece by hand in her studio in rural Victoria - inspiration for her jewellery comes not only from her surroundings but from within ... sentimental moments and meanings are often captured to be made into a lasting memento of precious thoughts, feelings and memories.
Karen also enjoys working with clients to create individual pieces which reflect the personality of the wearer, or have deeper personal meanings for them. "It is always a joy to see the happiness in the faces of clients when they collect their piece that they have had a part in designing or to hear back from them with their stories of what the jewellery means to them or their special someone."
Max Dangerfield
Max is a self taught artists from the Surfcoast. The COVID 19 pandemic was the gateway to his landscape paintings. Suddenly with more time to surf and walk his dog, Max observed the landscapes in more detail than ever before.
Mostly working with acrylic paint, Max simplifies landscapes and breaks them into their most basic forms. Max’s Inspiration is highest during periods of late Autumn through to early Spring as the wildflowers are in bloom and create beautifully coloured scenes which translate to more expressive painting.
Mostly working with acrylic paint, Max simplifies landscapes and breaks them into their most basic forms. Max’s Inspiration is highest during periods of late Autumn through to early Spring as the wildflowers are in bloom and create beautifully coloured scenes which translate to more expressive painting.
Antony Twining
Antony enjoys working with clay and glazes. He loves the tactical nature of the material. Antony says making ceramics is a little bit unpredictable because you have the nature of heating the material to specific temperatures.
"Clay is a very versatile material. I like exploring it's malleable qualities through hand building and the pottery wheel."
He likes using colour by way of glazing to define pattern and design.
"Clay is a very versatile material. I like exploring it's malleable qualities through hand building and the pottery wheel."
He likes using colour by way of glazing to define pattern and design.
Surfcoast Weaver Birds
Nestled in the treetops of Aireys Inlet is a talented group of Fibre artists, weavers, basket makers, sculptors and creators of beauty. The group meet each week and work on their own creations side by side and discuss ideas and techniques. The fibres they use are mostly plant and found materials but also, they can use any type of rope, twine, string, cord anything that can be woven the group use.
The group have been meeting for over ten years and some members change over time but the core members have remained. The group individually show their work in galleries along the Surfcoast and twice a year they have group exhibitions. A lot of the time the members don’t see each other’s finished work until the exhibition and its aways exciting to see their finished creations.
Wall art, baskets, nests, animals, bowls, plates, grass trees, birds are some of the amazing creations that the members make. The group trade ideas and discuss which plant fibres are best to use, many fibres need to be soaked and dyed to get the best results. Weaving can be a self-generating craft as there is no need to buy expensive threads to use.
The group have been a part of the Surfcoast Arts trail since it started and many members have their work exhibited at Eagles Nest Gallery in Aireys inlet, and Anglesea Arts Space.
The group have been meeting for over ten years and some members change over time but the core members have remained. The group individually show their work in galleries along the Surfcoast and twice a year they have group exhibitions. A lot of the time the members don’t see each other’s finished work until the exhibition and its aways exciting to see their finished creations.
Wall art, baskets, nests, animals, bowls, plates, grass trees, birds are some of the amazing creations that the members make. The group trade ideas and discuss which plant fibres are best to use, many fibres need to be soaked and dyed to get the best results. Weaving can be a self-generating craft as there is no need to buy expensive threads to use.
The group have been a part of the Surfcoast Arts trail since it started and many members have their work exhibited at Eagles Nest Gallery in Aireys inlet, and Anglesea Arts Space.
Marian Young
Marian is a multi disciplinary artist constantly exploring wide ranging mediums and materials. Marian was the Art teacher at Torquay College for 16 years and was constantly encouraging and pursuing all avenues of immersion of art experiences for 1000s of students. After all this fun Marian now has time and a massive understanding of many artistic pursuits. Marian is currently working on large scale floral textural acrylic paintings, threads and textile projects and botanical paintings.
Marian tends to be whimsical and is constantly wondering what is the next thing she can learn and explore.
https://www.instagram.com/artbymazzie
Marian tends to be whimsical and is constantly wondering what is the next thing she can learn and explore.
https://www.instagram.com/artbymazzie
Supporting artists: Jo Rothwell, Terry Guida,
Sam Harry, Kathy Harry,
Joy Beeby, Anne Davis & David Rossiter
Our 2022 Artists
Josie Banner
Lindy Banner
Isobel Clapham-Fell
Lu Ellmer
Simone Feher
Chris Hoggard
Mon Jackson
Sue McConnell
Gerard McGill
Les Norman
Jennifer O'Sullivan
Mark Robbins
The Print Sisters
Marion Smith
Cinnamon Stephens
Mark Trinham
Ant Twining
OUR 2023 ARTISTS
Lu Ellmer
Simone Feher
Karen Harvey
Chris Hoggard
Mon Jackson
Irene Majer
Hannah Millerick
Jennifer O’Sullivan
Donna Pollock
Print Sisters
Mark Robbins
Jo Rothwell
Marion Smith
Antony Twining
Geelong Weaving Mill
Marian Young
OUR 2024 ARTISTS
Andrew Middlehurst
Lu Ellmer
Simone Feher
Karen Harvey
Chris Hoggard
Elida Luciarte
David Graham
Jennifer O’Sullivan
Marion Smith
Jo Rothwell
Marion Smith
Antony Twining
Mary Ellen Belleville
Marian Young
Max Dangerfield
Sally Hare
Rhonda Millen
Surfcoast Weaver Birds
Terry Guida
bottom of page