Collective creates accessible arts space

SINCE April last year, a new group has been meeting once a month with the aim of providing an accessible space for creatives of all abilities to express themselves.

Artist Christine Segaert, who lives with mobility issues, founded the Ballarat Art Collective to provide a more inclusive platform for art-making.

“I was a member of another art group in town but I didn’t find it was very inclusive or understanding of people with disabilities,” she said.

“I saw an opportunity to create a space where everyone was welcome and given a chance to participate and thrive.”

Supported with a City of Ballarat grant, Segaert started hosting casual art catch-ups out of the Sebastopol Library, which take place from about 9.30am on the third Saturday of each month.

A Facebook group was also created and currently has close to 200 members.

The collective then held its first exhibition, Spectrum of Artistry, in November at Mercure Ballarat, which featured 17 members.

“Many of the artists had never exhibited before and they sold artwork so that was incredible,” Segaert said.

Alongside helming the Ballarat Art Collective, Segaert also teaches watercolour at the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House, where she initially took classes for that medium as well as drawing in 2021.

She said the collective’s get-togethers, which she calls “create days”, focus solely on creative practice without the need for governance and planning.

“It’s very casual and everyone is welcome,” Segeart said.

“Everyone brings their own artwork.

“We have people who are disabled, people that aren’t, people that are neurodiverse.

“Everyone just comes and we make art together.

“Often people will bring works to share with the group, and I’ll bring some extra watercolour supplies if someone wants to learn that approach.

“People will bring knitting, sewing, and we have a bag-maker too. We just want this to be a really flexible, accepting space even if people want to come for just a chat.

“One of our members is an NDIS provider who has connections with … other disabled artists, so we’d like to see if we can work this into other inclusive and diverse groups.”

The meet-ups can range from half a dozen to 20 participants.

The works of some of the group’s members can be seen in the Begonia Art Show during the Begonia Festival this weekend.

The collective is looking to also display its works at cafes and other venues in the region.