Ceramicist Cassy Macarthur collects “wild clay” for her practice - image Josh Waddell, 2021

meet our community

Read more about some of our amazing network of creatives and artists, scattered throughout our city.

John Kachoyan & Lou Sanz

How did your creative journey begin? Individually and as creative partnership?
Lou: I started writing in my late teens and although not a linear journey by any stretch, I’m still going. I actually met John while writing my film ‘Audrey’ - I needed to speak with a theatre maker and he was recommended to me and our personal and professional collaboration started from there. We’ve made a kid and written a film and tv show together.

John: My first love was theatre - drama classes were a refuge and it grew from there. I’ve been lucky enough to work as a director, writer and dramaturg internationally for the last 15 years - leading theatre companies, working in majors and across independent theatre and as Literary Manager for Australian Plays. The last few years have been moving into screen - a bigger canvas for bolder ideas. Lou and I collaborate on projects as well as have our own separate ones - but we read, encourage and challenge each other - and I get to work with my best friend.

How would you describe your practice?
John: I’m really interested in genre stories of loss, grief and reclaimed history - using sci-fi, fantasy, history and biography to explore things that are relevant now but through a heightened lense.

Lou: I love comedy and the darker and the more dramatic the better. This love has definitely informed my practice. I think on stories that can be subverted and challenge our understanding of life, especially from the POV of ‘difficult’ (I call them relatable) female protagonists .

What are you working on right now?
We’re working on our AACTA/Screenworks Regional Landscapes award-winning feature ‘Land’s End’ which is set in Ballarat and the Grampians. We were lucky enough to win the prize last year and travel to NYC, Toronto and LA (with the support of VicScreen and Screen Australia too) taking this regional story by two regional creatives to the world was awesome.

What is your connection to Ballarat?
Lou: My parents lived up here for many years and we got to know and love the area. We moved up after enduring lockdowns in Melbourne and have really found a home and lifestyle we love.

How would you describe the creative community in Ballarat?
John: Very welcoming. I’ve been doing some mentoring for Ballarat Arts Foundation, who provide excellent support and much-needed funding for local artists and I’ve found there’s more cross-pollination across art-forms than the big cities.

Can you give us three words to sum up your inspiration?
John: Connection, community and honesty.
Lou: What he said.

More about Lou & John
Bio: Lou Sanz | John Kachoyan

Images from AACTA.

Kathy Horvat9 January 2023

Local artist groups and networks

If you would like your association, group or network highlighted, please drop us a note!

Ballarat Arts Alive is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit org that provides a forum for discussion, advocacy and development supporting the arts and artists of Ballarat and surrounds. Regular events are held to meet up.

More info

**Crafts Council of Ballarat** is dedicated to promoting and supporting the art and craft community of the Goldfields, with a shopfront located at the Adam Lindsay Gordon Collage.

more info

**Ballarat Art Collective** welcomes new members from all walks of life to regularly gather together and share their passion for art in all its forms.

More info

**Goldfields Printmakers** is a collective with a website for Printmakers who produce works predominantly in the art form of print and base their practice in the Goldfields region.
The websites role should act as a resource for these artists to connect and share their knowledge.

MORE INFO

**The Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC)** was established by members of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal community in 1979, delivering health, social, welfare and community programs to local Aboriginal people.

more info

**Soldiers Hill Artist Collective** is a diverse group, who’s objective is to maintain an open and inclusive collective that is focused on promoting local arts and artists, whilst reinforcing the positive social benefit of the arts within the immediate community.

MORE info

**Sonika** is the City of Ballarat Youth Services' FReeZA committee. Sonika meet regularly to plan projects, events and gain event management skills. Sonika also runs a range of free or cheap all ages events that are drug, alcohol and smoke free.

MORE INFO

The **Ballarat International Foto Biennale** attracts significant International and Australian photographers as one of Australia’s pre-eminent photographic festivals. It is a not-for-profit event that immerses the historic town of Ballarat in photographic art.

More info

**Ballaarat Quilters** founded in 1996 by a group of women who wanted to promote the art and craft of quilting in Ballarat. A not for profit association where members meet regularly for a sit, sew and a chat together and exhibit their works to the Ballarat community every two years.

more info

**Ballarat Society of Artists** unvite you to come along and enjoy a friendly get together with other artists and creatives at to our monthly meeting.
BSA meets on the 1st Saturday of the month (except Jan) at 10.30 am at the Brown Hill Uniting Church Hall, Humffray Street North, Brown Hill.

Ballarat Writers.jpg — **Ballarat Writers** is a grass-roots organisation promoting local writing and writers in the Western Victorian region, with monthly Members’ Nights, regular competitions and workshops.

More info

Artists, Makers & Creatives

meet our community

John Kachoyan & Lou Sanz

Local artist groups and networks