Kate Berry
How did your creative journey begin?
As a kid I have always wanted to do something creative “when I grew up”. Initially it was a florist, then a fashion designer, and then eventually a graphic designer. I was booted out of school in year 11, so I was never going to be a doctor, lawyer, or anything that required any real schooling.
I went to art school for a couple of years until I accepted that school just wasn’t for me. I got a job in a small design firm as a junior designer and after four years, I moved to London. After many knock backs, I finally scored an amazing job as a creative in a youth focussed agency, my desk over‐looked the Tate Modern. I pretty much peaked at the age of 25.
How would you describe your practice/work/role?
I have two businesses. Friendly Service, which I work as creative producer and OK Motels where I create mini music festivals and road trips to far‐away places in regional Vic.
I have a mad love for underutilised spaces and matching them with music performances, art installations, and opportunities for connection. The greatest joy is I get to work with incredibly talented and big‐hearted people who create amazing experiences for people from all over get to enjoy.
What are you working on right now?
Most recently I have been working on the Be_Hear/Now. program with eight amazing musicians. Together with the wonderful Lachy Anderson, we worked on concept development, production and creative execution.
The Be_Hear/Now. program paired each of the eight artists with mentors to help develop their music careers. We then worked collaboratively with each artist on a music video filmed on location in Ballarat.
Now I am getting ready for the next OK Motels event in Charlton in February 2022. Fingers crossed nothing else weird happens in the world between now and then!
What is your connection to Ballarat?
I moved here about 12 years ago, but I am not sure if Ballarat and I were ready for each other. I came back here at the start of the first lockdown. I’m so happy to have made that move. Oh also, my great‐great grandfather (there might be another great, who knows) discovered gold in Ballarat. So that’s a bit of a connection.
How would you describe the creative community in Ballarat?
I am so proud to be part of the creative community here in Ballarat. And I am so lucky to have been so welcomed. It’s an exciting time to be here. There’s a whole bunch of people moving in, and the hard work and energy of the incredible creatives who’ve been here forever is bubbling and enveloping us newcomers. There’s so much opportunity here that just doesn’t exist in other towns and cities. It’s a giant secret, that won’t stay so for much longer.
Can you give us three words to sum up your inspiration?
Light. Connection. Space.
W: hellokateberry / Insta: @hellokateberry
