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.

Sam Harmer

John Lennon Exhibition promotional collateral. Client: Art Gallery of Ballarat.

Pet Insurance. Client: Traffic, commission for petinsurance.com.au

How did your creative journey begin?
I was always drawing and creating as a child. I would spend lots of times imitating other artists work - which was a great learning tool. I even used to make puppets! The choice of career just had to be something creative, where I could earn a living. I didn’t know a lot about graphic design, but it seemed a good fit.

How would you describe your practice?
I generally tell people I’m a graphic design with a strength in illustration. I sit on a computer design logos, publications, characters & illustrations in a commercial context. I also teach creative skills at a territory level.

What are you working on right now?
I recently completed some illustrated butcher characters for Tibaldi Small goods, that was a cool job. Also I have find with City of Ballarat working on the Healthy Eating initiative. That’s probably the most notable things at the moment.

What is your connection to Ballarat?
I’ve lived here most of my life. School and university here. I think Ballarat is a good City, a good size with lots of opportunity. I don’t mind the cold too much either!

How would you describe the creative community in Ballarat?
There seems to be a very wide range of creative people in Ballarat. From fine artists, musicians, through to designers and the like working very successfully in the commercial field.

Can you give us three words to sum up your inspiration?
Retro, bold, fun.

Discover more about Sam’s portfolio and work at Harmer Creative.

Eat Well Feel Good Ballarat. Client:City of Ballarat and Ballarat Health Services.

i-brainmap website, book illustrations and website. Client: Rita McInnes.

Kathy Horvat28 February 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

Sam Harmer

Local artist groups and networks