Introducing the class of 2023
It’s been a whirlwind few months of preparation for The Refinery 5.0, but here we are, one week out from kicking off this year’s program.
We met some brilliant creative minds during the application and bootcamp process, and we are excited to introduce you to the 18 artists and creatives who make up The Refinery 5.0 cohort.
Chosen from a field of applications received nationally, the final 18 were selected from a shortlisted group of projects who progressed to our one-day intensive bootcamp in March.
Of the 18, five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists will also participate in the dedicated First Nations Series - a mob-only extension of The Refinery program and initiative of ArtsCoast, Sunshine Coast Council.
From visual and performing artists to educators, creative agencies, photographers, jewellery makers and product designers, each of the 18 projects will soon begin the transformation of their ideas into reality through programmed workshops and mentorship from industry leading mentors, including Fiona Killackey of My Daily Business, Tom Allen of Impact Boom, Anita Siek from Wordfetti and many more.
Without further adieu, please meet this year’s cohort, the class of 2023 (Bio in alphabetical order):
Mara Berginc
Mara is a freelance product developer who works with new and upcoming brands helping create the product of their dreams. Mara manages the end-to-end production process for her clients; a personal production assistant for busy brands.
Jamie Davidson
Through her brand Paradise House, visual artist Jamie Davidson brings to life a free-spirited collection of fine art prints for your home. Ancient tapestries and the sacred folklore of South America serve as inspiration,capturing the pleasure of sun-drenched locations and the vibrancy of exotic, undiscovered destinations
Zartisha Davis
Zartisha is a Murulla Woman from Jhdungah Country Sunshine Coast within the Gubbi Gubbi Nation and Language Group. Zartisha is passionate about her culture, dance and artwork and often depicts Saltwater People, Shell Fish Eaters, Canoe Makers and Healers from the Murulla people which is her great grandmother's country and people.
Nikita Fitzpatrick
Nikita of New Dreaming Art is a self-taught second generation First Nation artist, a mental health advocate for First Nations children and teens and an educator on cultural history, traditions, and arts. Nikita was born on Gurang Gurang Country, with heritage connected to Wuthati tribe and Darumbal people.
Kate Foley
Adorn Sunshine Coast is a vibrant and playful jewellery and small objects gallery in Montville. The space is thoughtfully curated to include only high-quality, unique handcrafted pieces, which tell a story, evoke emotion and celebrate creativity.
Shae Gregg
Shae is a contemporary graphic designer, illustrator and painter. Her mediums are primarily oil and acrylic paint as well as hand-drawn digital illustrations using Procreate. Shae has exhibited as an artist nationally and internationally.
Grace Herrmann
Grace is an interdisciplinary artist who has been paper carving for over ten years. Her work is characterised by naturalistic, rippling patterns, taking influence from Romantic and Sublime movements drawing parallels between the natural and the cerebral.
Bella Hood
Reckless Dance Company is a project-based dance company; a collection of creative minds making ground-breaking contemporary dance work drawing on local and primal stories.
Rachel Kimberley
Ancient Monkey is a Brisbane-based animation studio specializing in high-quality creative content that elevates brands. Our focus is on styled product photography, stop motion animation, and crafting adorable 3D characters and mascots.
Louise King
Louise is a multi-award winning international musician. Her business Cello Dreaming designs education programs for aspiring musicians, community practitioners, professional artists and teachers seeking professional development. Through Cello Dreaming, Louise also produces music concerts, delivers festival projects and presents independent micro tours.
Cynthia Lee
Cynthia is a music, portrait and fine art photographer. Fascinated with the magic of light, film photography is at the heart of Cynthia's personal projects, observing moments and feelings that emphasize the awe and wonder of our perfectly imperfect lives.
Teddy McRitchie
Teddy McRitchie is a designer specialising in wearable art, fashion, and costume design. His wearable art pieces have been shown on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, and northern Tasmania, picking up a slew of awards along the way.
Tess Miller
Tess is an emerging ceramic artist creating biomorphic abstract forms from clay using gentle hand building technique and slow intuitive movement to shape the clay into its chosen form. Driven and excited by clay as a medium, Tess works intuitively and slowly to achieve unique, one off pieces to last a lifetime.
Sarah Moore
Through her business Ocher Bee, Sarah offers grounded, culturally safe experiences, events and products to heal & nurture. Ocher Bee was inspired by Sarah’s own journey to connect with her Culture, and her awakening to how connecting with Country can both connect and heal in a real and authentic way.
Kyle Neilson
Through his strategic creative agency, The Ageing Sea, Kyle creates strong and memorable brands that catch customers' attention in today's competitive market. The team partners with ambitious businesses to broaden horizons, change perspectives and generate growth.
Dr Hope O’Chin
Dr Hope O’Chin is a Kabi Kabi/Wakka Wakka/Koa/GuguYalanji educator and artist, who has worked in education from the 1980’s and as a professional artist from 1991. She has developed and presented artworks through her studio art practice for over 40 exhibitions across local, national and international venues and forums.
Mieke van den Berg
Mieke is a muralist and conceptual artist passionate about transforming public, private, and commercial spaces into inspiring settings. Mieke blends hand painting and airbrushing techniques in the murals and creates custom artworks, theatre backdrops, props, puppets, and 3Dimensional chalk art.
Chloe Watego
Chloe is a self-taught visual artist of South Sea Islander descent, with ties to Torres Strait Island and the Bundjalung Nation. Chloe uses painting for creative expression and to aid in healing as she continues to explore her family’s heritage.
What an incredible bunch! We can’t wait to get started.
Don’t forget to follow the journey of The Refinery 5.0 over on our socials: instagram & facebook.