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.

Mari Teed, Maverick Workshop

Mari Teed is a fully qualified upholsterer who has been in the industry for 10 years having started her apprenticeship along side Patrick Navascues from Navascues Upholstery in Preston. There she learnt many aspects of upholstery including recovering of Antiques and custom made jobs for stage shows. From there she moved to Creswick wanting to be closer to family and completed her apprenticeship under the leadership of Chris and Angelo Christofi from Buttoning Upholstery in Ballarat. Mari continued to work with the Cypriot brothers until they retired in December 2017. When the brothers retired Mari launched her own business.

How did your creative journey begin?

From an early age I have always been interested in design and furniture. Growing up mum and I used to search the local op shops looking for mid century beauties. After year 12 I took a gap year in England working at a boarding school. There I met an upholsterer and the fascination continued. On return to Australia I sought out my apprenticeship with Patrick Navascues.

How would you describe your practice?

I see the practice as a multi disciplinary workshop focusing on upholstery, furniture and interior design.

What are you working on right now?

A few of our current projects include an Australian made Moran lounge suite, Danish Deluxe Inga chair and an antique wrought iron campaign bed.

What is your connection to Ballarat?

I grew up in Albury NSW. My grandparents lived in Skipton so my parents retired in Creswick then I followed them here. I met my husband in Ballarat and it definitely feels like home.

How would you describe the creative community in Ballarat?

We are very lucky to have such a talented group of people, I am sure it will continue to grow. I am very excited to be a part of it!

Can you give us three words to sum up your inspiration?

Texture, creation & reimagining.

For more information about Maverick Workshop visit their

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Images by Lachlan Phyland, Media Provided.

Kathy Horvat6 April 2022

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

Mari Teed, Maverick Workshop

Local artist groups and networks