A Tranquil Showcase: Access Arts presents 'Relaxed Frame of Mind' Exhibition
Art has the extraordinary power to transport us to different worlds, evoke deep emotions, and inspire us with its creativity. The opening night of ‘Relaxed Frame of Mind,’ a visual arts exhibition presented by Access Arts in partnership with KPMG, promised to do just that.
Hosted on the land of the Turball and Yuggera people, and for the first time at KPMG’s world class new offices in the Brisbane CBD the event opened on Wednesday 25 October with a private view and will run until Friday 8 December 2023.
‘Relaxed Frame of Mind’ gathers a collection of 46 artworks, contributed by 23 artists from Access Arts Visual Arts workshops. The exhibition centres on themes of the pursuit of peace, calm, and tranquillity, and the featured works that beautifully depicted these states.
The hero image of the exhibition, Awesome Peaceful Flowers, created by the talented Colleen Stevenson, captures the essence of ‘Relaxed Frame of Mind’.
Colleen’s work beckons viewers to explore the beauty of nature and how it makes you feel. This was amplified as the audience walked into the venue and saw her artwork projected onto the large circular screen on the ceiling that rotated and moved throughout the event, truly immersing them in the theme. “Flowers make me feel at peace and I love photographing flowers because they are so beautiful,” said Colleen of her artwork.
The exhibition was formally opened by the esteemed Lady Mayoress. With guests from various sectors including medical, corporate, disability, and the arts in attendance for the unique opportunity to meet and greet the talented artists who have poured their creativity into these captivating artworks.
Within the event space, the artwork was displayed on easels for the first time, which gave attendees the chance to wander the new venue and view the artwork up close. For those who were unable to attend the Private View the exhibition is available online to view and purchase Relaxed Frame of Mind – Access Arts
‘Relaxed Frame of Mind’ is brought to life by the unwavering support of several sponsors, including KPMG Brisbane, Brisbane City Council through the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund, and Cr. Vicki Howard Central Ward, and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Their commitment to the arts is essential in making this exhibition a reality.
Otherwise: Exploring Alternative Sensory Approaches to Wellbeing
Our Undercover Artist Festival last month was a huge success and saw talent from all around the country to come together and perform in a four-day spectacular!
Our Theatre and Dance Ensemble performed alongside Access Arts Singers for an extraordinary performance where theatre, dance, and song joined forces to deliver an alternative look into the eyes of a world with no barriers.
As we watched, we were invited to draw upon our own perspectives to interpret this abstract masterpiece.
The performance wasn’t just a show; it was an experience. Fire’s passion, water’s flow, and air’s freedom came to life before our eyes. Through vibrant colors, entrancing soundscapes, and mesmerizing movement, we were transported into a world where the boundaries between art forms dissolved, leaving us with a profound appreciation for the power of human creativity.
Following the mesmerising theatre and dance, our Access Arts Singers took to the stage to bring us a brilliant collection of hits. They even surprised us with an original song that they had composed together, which truly was a showstopper.
But “Otherwise” was more than just a sensory experience. It was a celebration of diversity and genuine connection. It shattered the limits of convention and introduced us to a realm where embracing diversity was not only encouraged but celebrated. We left the theater that evening feeling the possibilities were limitless, and our differences were our greatest strengths.
“Otherwise” was an unforgettable performance, an ode to the human spirit’s boundless potential for creativity and connection. It challenged our perceptions and left us with a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation for the arts. In the end, it wasn’t just a show; it was an invitation to see the world through a different lens, to embrace diversity, and to celebrate the beauty of a world without barriers.
Applications open for 2023 Access Arts Achievement Award
Could you be the 2023 Award Winner? Do you need $10,000 for your current or next artistic project?
Applications are now open for the 2023 Access Arts Achievement Award
Supporting all forms of art, the Award provides up to $10,000 in funding for Queensland artists with disability to create, develop, present, produce, exhibit, and/or tour their work. This is a game-changing opportunity for Queensland artists, arts workers and producers to extend the life of an existing work or create a new one!
Important dates
Applications Open for Submission:
FREE Online Grant-Writing Workshop:
Applications Close for Submission:
Award Winner Announced:
Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Wednesday, 8 November 2023
Tuesday, 5 December 2023
Applications open for submission:
Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Free online Grant-Writing Workshop:
Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Applications close for submission:
Wednesday, 8 November 2023
Award Winner announced:
Tuesday, 5 December 2023
Projects may take place between: 1 January and 31 December 2024
Oliver Hetherington-Page has been awarded the Access Arts Achievement Award for 2022 for the of creation of Santa Claus is Autistic, a new cabaret work that will have its premier season at Redlands Performing Arts Centre in 2023.
Thursday, 27 July – Friday 6 October 2023
St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital
Level 3 457 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill QLD 4000
Access Arts will host its fifth visual arts exhibition within the walls of St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital from Thursday, 27 July – Friday, 6 October. This year’s visual arts display is titled Self-Portrait and offers a glimpse into the rich and unique life experiences of twenty-one visual artists from Access Arts.
Through painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, and digital art, each artist shares what brings meaning to their lives and how they view their own character, personality and identity.
Some artists have expressed aspects of their personality by portraying animals such as an majestic owl and the charming highland cow. Others have captured themselves engaging in activities they love such as painting, enjoying a coffee, strolling along the beach, immersing themselves in the ocean, exploring the depths through scuba diving, and embarking on drives around Mount Coot-tha. Whilst other artists have sought to give meaning to their life experiences through abstract imagery and symbolism.
Visual artist Sue Yule, whose artwork style is illustrative, colourful and nature-based, said she worked on a digital platform to create her artwork Underwater Women for Self-Portrait. Sue says it’s been her favourite artwork to create as it shares a glimpse of Sue and an aspect of her life the audience has not seen before.
I felt more at home under the water than I did on the boat - like the Underwater Woman. My painting is reflecting back on those days.
Jai Philips, whose self-described style is a little bit rustic and industrial but with attention to detail,says that his self-portrait is of him as one of his cartoon characters from ‘The Wild Triplets’ series he has created. He has used this character to tell the audience of who is he, and what he likes doing.
“My artwork presents me as a happy character and a confident person who enjoys making art and soon to be doing new things that I’m looking forward to in the future”
Each artist that has created artwork for this exhibition provides the audience with the opportunity to walk away knowing a bit more about each artist, and their individual style. Through their art, we learn that Levi Diball is smashing her fitness goals in Smashing It!, artist Tanya Darl shares her love of the Australian Outback, the native trees and the beautiful Australian sky in To Feel Good – Australian Outback. And Michael Mulvey shares his love of an iconic Brisbane location Mt Coot-Tha and the TV towers in Five Towers. All 21 visual artists have opened their worlds to share what brings meaning to their lives and offers the viewer the delightful opportunity to get to know the artist behind the creative work.
You can visit the artwork on Level 3 St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital or view it online at Protected: Self Portrait – Access Arts. All artwork is for sale.
Created by artists from Access Arts’ Brisbane Outsider Artists studio, Self-Portrait is presented by Access Arts, and kindly supported by St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, MinterEllison, Brisbane City Council through the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund and Cr Vicki Howard – Central Ward, and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Tommy and his Queen Nala mural at Brisbane Street Art Festival
Tommy, from Mix The Arts Studio, as part of the Brisbane Street Art Festival 2023, creating his live mural: Queen Nala.
We were so proud and excited when Tommy told us that he had been selected to be part of the Brisbane Street Art Festival 2023! He’s been a part of Access Arts for over 5 years, showing his artwork in a lot of our exhibitions, and bringing his fun and vibrant energy to our BOA workshops.
The festival is an exciting celebration of urban creativity that takes place every year in Brisbane. The festival showcases the diverse talents of local and international street artists, transforming the city’s walls and public spaces into captivating works of art. Throughout the festival, visitors can explore various neighborhoods to discover an array of murals, graffiti, and installations that reflect a wide range of artistic styles.
This year Tommy was one of the talented artists chosen to showcase his work through a live mural on Queen Street Mall.
Check out our video below! Tommy tells us all about his journey to the Brisbane Street Art Festival, and his feline inspiration behind this artwork.
We love working with Tommy, and getting the chance to show off his artistic brilliance.
Keep up to date with everything he’s up to here on his website.
Celebrating 40 years of Access Arts on Queensland Day
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With Access Arts’ 40th year celebrations right around the corner, term two performing arts participants have been hard at work developing a performance to premiere at the event. The output of their efforts, a performance which at its heart is an invitation to embrace difference and celebrate diversity.
The ensemble is working closely with guest artist and workshop faciliator Zoe Houghton. Zoe brings a wealth of experience to the ensemble. From training at NIDA, to touring with the renowned Shakespearean company, Grin & Tonic, her eclectic career has equipped her with the knowledge and expertise to guide participants in exploring theatre and dance production.
Each week the Ensemble participants are presented with new and exciting challenges, while working closely with guest artists to uncover new ways of connecting with themselves and others through artistic exploration. They are delving into alternative sensory approaches through guided meditation, improvisational sensory game exercises, and creative exercises in mask making, face painting, and symbolic shapes of nature using body parts.
Access Arts’ Arts Manager Tim Brown, says a major theme developing within the workshops is the exploration of alternative social ecosystems, which mirror the issues and vulnerabilitiesfaced by all.
The show invites audience members to suspend their preconceived notions of what a traditional performance should be. The participants aim to redefine traditional performance by creating an immersive experience that cultivates accessible practice and shares it with the audience, with the hope of inspiring more accessible processes in future productions.
Through the performance, guest artist Zoe says audience members will enter a world of vibrant colours, sounds and movement that incorporates elements of live music, dance and interactive offers to the audience to create a multi-sensory experience. “We invite audience members to be present in the moment and engage with their senses to enjoy the Ensemble’s use of shaping imagery, sounds and movement.” Zoe said.
Access Arts’ participants, like Rebecca Dostal who has been part of the program since its inception in 2015, are enjoying the style of the skill-sharing workshops, and are excited to continue working with Zoe and share their upcoming performance:
I love working with new guest artists, it broadens my artistic networks and pushes the boundaries of what we think of as traditional theatre and dance-making." Rebecca said.
Access Arts is dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to develop their skills, pursue their artistic practice, and showcase their work. Collaborating with esteemed professionals in the arts industry, such as Zoe, emphasises the importance of workshops like Lights, Curtain, Action! in creating an inclusive arts ecology that enriches our society.
SPONSORS
Unite – Celebrating 40 years of Access Arts on Queensland Day is part of the 2023 Queensland Government’s Queensland Day celebrations.
Congratulations to the 2022 Matilda Award Winners!
We wanted to say a huge congratulations to all of the nominees and winners of the 2022 Matilda awards! So many fantastic performers went to the awards ceremony last night, and they found some incredibly talented and deserving winners.
Billie Brown Award for Best Emerging Artist Winner
Oliver Hetherington-Page
We’re super excited to share that Oliver Hetherington-Page won the Billie Brown Award for Best Emerging Artist (tied with Perry Mooney) for his show The No Bang Theory.
As you all know, we have loved Oliver’s work for a long time. He was the winner of our 2022 Access Arts Achievement Award, and since then he has grown even more. The Matilda Awards truly found a fantastic and deserving winner with him.
Oliver Hetherington-Page has dazzled audiences with his musical-cabaret form, and his unique voice and insights. He beautifully blends elements of comedy, social commentary, musical theatre and stunning dinner jackets, to create an engaging and highly entertaining performance.
Oliver’s work embeds important elements of didacticism and social activism alongside a witty, charming and deceptively complex narrative.
The No Bang Theory is a fantastic performance, and we highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it yet! Keep up to date with this show here.
National Creative Partnerships Australia (CPA) Plus1 Program
Access Arts and Undercover Artist funding recipients for the Plus1 Program.
Access Arts CEO Pat Swell says how excited the whole team are to be able to use this funding to support the Undercover Artist Festival.
Access Arts have received financial support through Creative Partnerships Australia Plus1 Program.
Plus1 is a program which has been set up to support not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations. It’s a dollar-for-dollar funding match program to allow not-for-profit art organisations to maximise their fundraising efforts.
This support will go a long way to supporting us at Access Arts, and the Undercover Artist Festival, which we are funding again in 2023!
Access Arts Chief Executive Officer Pat Swell said, “We are incredibly excited to receive funding to support Undercover Artist Festival, which has grown to become Australia’s premier performing arts and disability festival, produced/performed by artists with disability.
“This unique festival nurtures individual artistry, culturally educates and presents experiences to community that move beyond stigmas associated with disability, creating career pathways and recognising excellence,” Ms Swell said.
“We are looking forward to using this support to springboard further engagement with the many individuals and organisations who share our aspirations for the Festival.”
An exhibition by Access Arts celebrating the
10-year anniversary of KPMG’s sponsorship of its artists.
24 October — 9 December 2022
Art exhibition
KPMG Brisbane, Riparian Plaza
Access Arts is proud to present Looking Back, Looking Forward – an exhibition which shines a light on talented Queensland artists and starts a conversation about the need for greater recognition of artists with disability.
Created by artists from Access Arts’ Brisbane Outsider Artists’ studio, Looking Back, Looking Forward is kindly supported by KPMG Brisbane, the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund, Lord Mayor Cr Adrian Schrinner and Cr Vicki Howard - Central Ward, and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
This exhibition celebrates the 10th anniversary of KPMG’s sponsorship of Access Arts artists with disability. The theme, Looking Back, Looking Forward was chosen by the artists to highlight their creative evolution over the past decade and symbolises the development oftheir creative practice throughout this time.
Exhibiting artist Kerry Beazleigh said the opportunity to speak about her work publicity at the private viewing last year allowed her to overcome her anxiety.
“The KPMG exhibition gave me a feeling as an artist of being very supported and valued,” Kerry said.
Her piece this year, Reflecting on Life’s Journey, encourages the audience to delve into their own reflection of life.
“In this painting, the symbolism of the mountains hides the uncertainty of what is coming next, while the river represents the twists and turns that life take,” Kerry said.
Fellow artist Lisa Blake said she reflects on this year’s theme in her painting The Stars are Aligning, which focuses on coming from the past and heading towards the future.
“I have used the rainbow pathway in an older artwork and more recently I’ve been painting stars, so it is looking at my older and newer styles of painting,” Lisa said.
The exhibition has provided an opportunity for both artists to explore their futures, reflect on their past and see how far they have come.
“The KPMG partnership has been a good opportunity for me to exhibit and sell work in different mediums and meet the person or organisation who has bought my work” said Lisa.
Looking Back, Looking Forward will be exhibitingat KPMG Brisbane, Riparian Plaza from Monday 24 October until Friday 9 December andwill feature a catalogue of Access Arts and KPMG Brisbane exhibition history, collaborative components and artworks created specifically for Looking Back, Looking Forward. The exhibition features 23 new artworks by18 artists.
Supporting all forms of art, the Access Arts Achievement Award provides up to $10,000 funding for Queensland artists to create, develop, present, produce, exhibit, and tour their work. The award is a fantastic opportunity to extend the life of an existing piece or create a new one!
Accomplished Brisbane-based cabaret artist Karen Lee Roberts was awarded the Access Arts Achievement Award for 2021. Karen used the $10,000 grant to produce a collaborative work; Sex and Other philosophies
Applications will be assessed by a professional panel who will be looking out for innovative, viable project’s with artistic and/or cultural merit, which will provide opportunity for professional development.