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.

Spencer Harrison

How did your creative journey begin?

I originally did an undergraduate degree in Nanotechnology but found I wasn't really cut out for the lab and preferred to be in the studio messing with paints. After graduating from science I moved into graphic design, working for several years as a designer before realizing that being an artist was something I was more drawn to. It was daunting beginning my career in the arts but I took a leap of faith and booked my first exhibition a year in advance which gave me something to work towards. Since that first exhibition I've been working as an artist now around Melbourne for about 8 years and recently completed my Masters at Victorian Collage of the Arts

How would you describe your practice?

In my practice I distill color, form and space into ordered abstract structures that reflect on our lived urban experience. I'm very curious about the world around us and draw references from design, architecture, science and the built environment into my artworks. While my background is in painting I have expanded over the last few years into digital video, sculpture, murals and installations.

What are you working on right now?

At the moment I'm further developing a body of digital animated works I began last year that explore our relationship to the screen through a series of colourful hypnotic looping videos. One of the benefits of the lockdowns last year and not having access to a studio is it forced me to innovate and teach myself some new skills in animation. I'm very thankful to be a recent recipient of a City of Ballarat Creative Inspiration Grant which will assist me to continue learning these new skills, develop this body of work further and hopefully share it publically soon.

What is your connection to Ballarat?

My partner and I bought a house here in Ballarat last year so we are fairly new to the area and still settling in. I'm in the process of building a studio on our block but I'm excited to be living and working here in Ballarat. I'm loving being closer to nature and being in a town with beautiful historic buildings and a great art scene.

How would you describe the creative community in Ballarat?

Being quite new to Ballarat I haven't had a chance to meet a lot of the creative community yet but I'm keen to connect and collaborate with creators here soon. One of the things that drew me to Ballarat is the great art gallery here and its reputation for being a creative city. Creative community is very important to me so I'll be on the hunt for opportunities to connect with the local community here as soon as I can!

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

Curiosity, colour and play.

Website: Spencer Harrison | Instagram: @spenceroni

Kathy Horvat1 February 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.

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**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.

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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

Spencer Harrison

Local artist groups and networks