Karen Steenbergen moved to Torquay from Altona about two years ago in search of a thriving art community by the water.<\/p>\n
Luckily for the ceramicist, art teacher and community development worker, she\u2019s not only found a place to call home, she\u2019s discovered how artistic mediums can bring the most vulnerable people together.<\/p>\n
Holding a diploma in ceramics from Holmesglen Institute and boasting over 10 years\u2019 experience behind the pottery wheel, Karen enjoys the hands-on nature of the craft and its ability to stimulate meaningful discussion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI work on a number of different projects and use pottery or ceramics as an activity to engage communities,\u201d Karen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find it often helps with bringing people together who perhaps don\u2019t know each other that well or are feeling disconnected.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see the joy in people coming together more than the end product \u2013 it\u2019s kind of the journey and the process of learning something new.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karen \u2013 who runs intimate classes out of her Torquay studio \u2013 set up a stall at this year\u2019s Torquay Nightjar Festival and joined the Surf Coast Arts committee in a bid to network with creatives in the area.<\/p>\n
The jack-of-all-trades has an extensive background in community development, a passion she channels through her work with Improving and Promoting Community (IPC) Health.<\/p>\n
\u201cI work three days a week for IPC Health on community arts projects. I put in applications on behalf of IPC Health to Wyndham City Council, twice this year and last year, and was successful in getting funding to some big community art projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been granted $20,000 each for two projects.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first project will see Karen work with the Indigenous Wathaurong people to create a mural in Werribee based around the theme of a \u201csense of belonging\u201d. The second project involves producing a large-scale silo art piece in Wyndham Vale.<\/p>\n
Most recently, Karen was part of a twoyear project titled \u201cYoung Leaders of the West\u201d, which was funded by the Victorian
\nResponsible Gambling Association through its Prevention Partnership program.<\/p>\n
The aim of the project was to increase knowledge and awareness, particularly among young men and women, about the harmful risks of gambling.<\/p>\n
Karen landed the role of project lead and worked with a mixed group of 20- to 25-year-olds to create three 30 second advertisements on the state\u2019s gambling epidemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe project was all about working with a group of young people to build their capacity and understanding of the gambling issue and how insidious it is in the younger age group,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce they (the group) started to realise how harmful excessive gambling really is, they really wanted to create something to counteract all those gambling ads that make it look so attractive and so peer-group.\u201d<\/p>\n
With no experience in film production, Karen helped the \u201cyoung leaders\u201d formulate scripts for the anti-gambling campaign and assisted in the editing process.<\/p>\n
The ads will be launched on June 27 at Whitten Oval as part of the project\u2019s partnership with the Western Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
While juggling a host of commitments and managing her own classes, Karen doesn\u2019t hesitate in putting her hand up to take on more.<\/p>\n
The Torquay artist recently finished co-ordinating a series of creative workshops with an Ethiopian community in conjunction with the Ethiopian Sports and Culture Federation Victoria\u2019s \u201cCultural Connections\u201d series.<\/p>\n
Members of the group shared their personal artefacts \u2013 including an incense burner stamped with intricate cultural markings \u2013 as inspiration for Karen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ethiopian Sports and Culture Federation Victoria are very communityminded in that they don\u2019t just promote sport in their community, they promote cultural connections,\u201d Karen said.<\/p>\n
Karen\u2019s move to Torquay has seen her develop new connections beyond the 3228. During her time showcasing work at the Nightjar, a woman from The Hive Gallery in Ocean Grove spotted Karen\u2019s work and asked to feature it in the space.<\/p>\n
Karen\u2019s \u201cMilk Shed\u201d series remain on display at the gallery.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been amazing in my growth as an artist,\u201d she smiles.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m the only ceramicist there \u2013 it\u2019s mainly paintings, oils and big sculptures.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I love about ceramics is you can just lose yourself for hours. It\u2019s very meditating, relaxing and good for mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karen has also hosted two successful exhibitions at Anglesea\u2019s Surf Coast Arts Space where she will base herself for this year\u2019s Surf Coast Arts Trail in August.<\/p>\n
To learn more about Karen and her art classes, email karstceramics@gmail.com, visit facebook.com\/Karensteenbergenceramicartist, search @karensteenbergen_ceramics on Instagram or phone 0417 539 343.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Karen Steenbergen moved to Torquay from Altona about two years ago in search of a thriving art community by the water. Luckily for the ceramicist, art teacher and community development worker, she\u2019s not only found a place to call home, she\u2019s discovered how artistic mediums can bring the most vulnerable people together. Holding a diploma […]<\/p>\n