What we do

Hands on Art is an artist run, not for profit organisation dedicated to the creative development of individuals and their communities. Our team of artists and community specialists work on projects designed to stimulate creative growth through art. We aim to work with all sections of society, particularly those that are marginalized, have limited access, are disabled or otherwise culturally and socially disadvantaged. Through our services we are helping to build tolerant and diverse communities which are rich in imagination and creativity.

We have built our reputation on high quality and innovative:

Our team

Jeff Cheyne Director
Jeff is an artist, innovator, writer and storyteller who loves wild places and creative collaboration. With 35 years experience in children’s creative development and community arts, Jeff’s focus is developing outdoor spaces that stimulate creativity and develop connections between people, art and the natural environment.

Cat Holland Vice President
Cat Holland is an artist specialising in public projects and community art. Her vision is to be a positive influence within the community by creating inspirational artworks infused with genuine passion. Cat works both solo and collaboratively.

Kelly Keating Secretary
Kelly is the secretary at Hands on Art and manager of the HoA gallery. She is also a member of the Artgarden team that designs creative outdoor learning spaces. Her art practice is inspired by the ironic humour in everyday circumstances, and the hidden beauty in ordinary objects. Combining textures and patterns of textiles Kelly reveals her wit and unconventional way of seeing through 2D and 3D works. Kelly is also drawn to the fragile exquisiteness of discarded commonplace materials and items and gives them new life by turning them into installations that play with light and shadow.

Amalia Cummins
Artist, Facilitator, Owner of small arts based business AmaliART. Amalia’s practice includes producing acrylic children’s decorative paintings driven by her intrigue in the pure innocence and immediacy of children’s mark making. Amalia has a Diploma in Fine Art and many years’ experience in community arts. She offers creative workshops to the community and often as part of Hands on Art. Through this work with children and her paintings Amalia hopes to foster a truly valued appreciation for children’s creative expression.
www.facebook.com/Amaliart.art

Daniel Tolra Treasurer
Daniel is a graphic designer, part-time painter and lover of the outdoors, Daniel is passionate about kids learning creative thinking through fun.

Tamia Cummins Junior Director
Tamia Cummins in the youngest Member of HOA and has inherited her mother’s passion for all things creative. Tamia first picked up a paint brush at the age of three and with that she began to collaborate with her mother Amalia as TAC (Tamia & Amalia Cummins) The painting produced have being exhibited through Brisbane including the Brisbane Powerhouse Museum. Although TAC is no longer, Tamia continues to inspire and create and is an invaluable asset to the HOA providing HOA a child’s eye view of the world. Tamia is currently 11yrs old.

Sue Loveday
Sue Loveday is an illustrator with a passion for design. Using drawing, painting, assemblage and digital manipulation she creates playful, visual messengers designed to enhance the written word. She is inspired by salvaging and reusing, bush walking, composting and cricket.

Kara Dunnage Mentor Program Manager
Kara is influenced by a colourful and rich cultural childhood in PNG and Hawaii. Her 15 years of experience in youth work, mentoring and community development is enriched by the pursuit of creative projects that inspire people’s self worth and values.

Kathy Weiland
Kathy is a graphic designer by day, fine art illustrator by night and an aspiring tattoo artist in between. If she were a super hero Super K would fight evil with hair straighteners, makeup and fantastic outfits for all occasions.

Liz Diggles Accounts
Liz has 15 years experience in managing business accounts. Her focus has shifted to community based organisations and kindergarten committee work while raising a family of three boys. In her spare time Liz can be found in her vegetable patch or feeling the noise at a drag race.

Nick Drake
Nick Drake is a Brisbane-based artist who has exhibited for over ten years. Currently his practice is split between fauvist landscape painting and gritty graphic publications. Inspired by true events, both real and imagined, his work sits at the junction between escapism and the realities of (sub)urban life. Nick completed an Honours degree in Fine Art at the Queensland College of Art in 2010. www.nickdrake.com.au

Zoe Porter
Zoe is a Brisbane based artist whose practice is cross-disciplinary, working across the areas of drawing, sculpture, installation, performance, costume and video. Her work concentrates on representations of animal-human relationships in an attempt at crossing the boundaries between the real and the imaginary, waking life and dream states. Zoe has exhibited work nationally and internationally in non-traditional gallery spaces, placing art in zones located outside the mainstream such as the street, alleyways and other public sites. Her work has been part of the Woodford Folk Festival for the last three years incorporating large-scale mural works, installation, live sound and collaborative performance.. http://zoertroper.blogspot.com.au/

Julian St John
Julian is a musician, juggler and painter with 25 years experience in the arts, specialising in street theatre, and working with children.

Irina Ankudinova
Irina is an ecologist who believes that creativity is a beautiful path to sustainability. Her passion is to develop a connection between children and the environment through imaginative art exploration, working with natural and recycled materials. Irina currently explores Russian folk dolls and how they reflect an interaction between people and nature.

Olivia Porter
Olivia Porter is a Brisbane-based circus performer known for her unique juggling style. Olivia’s forte is role playing and exploring diversity in character, narrative and emotive response. She has performed and trained extensively with professional circuses and performers across Australia. Her passion is to entertain and share her skills amongst the wider community.

Michelle Agius
Michelle is an international artist with experience in digital photomedia, mixed media painting and drawing and graphic design. She has been exhibiting her art for 16 years and was recently awarded a Diploma of Honor for her contribution to Art and Culture in Italy 2008. Inspiring people to discover their individual creative spirit is a pursuit that compliments her art practice.

Anna Pippon
Anna has 10 years experience within education and the special needs sector, using art as a therapeutic aid. As a multi media artist/designer Anna explores a wide range of materials and mediums. Her quirky and playful pieces are inspired by nature and found materials. She is passionate about the need to move towards a more sustainable way of living, in order to protect an ailing earth.

Troy Schultz
Troy is an emerging graffiti artist from Mitchelton State High with an awesome talent for can control.

Caitlin Kenny
Caitlin is an English major at the East Stroudsburg University in the the US, who spent 3 months in Queensland to gain experience in professional writing and not-for-profit organisations. ‘I feel lucky to have the opportunity to work alongside such talented artists. Considering this is my first visit to Australia, my favourite part of working with Hands On Art has been helping with workshops in the community. It’s been great to see what children create and to work with an organisation who understands the value in that.

Our history

1989
Hands on Art was established with headquarters in the Tramway Substation in Paddington, running children’s festivals and workshops for communities throughout Queensland.

2000
The Children’s Art Centre at South Bank Parklands opened; offering workshop spaces, outreach programs for schools and a gallery.

2007
Hands on Art made a transition from a large government-funded organisation to a small, dynamic group of artists, community specialists and volunteers.

2009
The Children’s Centre closed due to redevelopment and the Substation at Paddington became headquarters again.

Hands on Art launched the ‘Art Bus’, a mobile workshop donated by Southbank Corporation.

2010
Hands on Art turned 21


Artist Day Chalk Mural 1994

The Substation before renovations

Cultural Camp Jundah 1993

Glengallan Region, School Tours, 1993

Bus shelter mural, Given Terrace Paddington 1993

Ethnic Community Council 1994

Paddington festival posters

Early traffic signal box murals were coordinated by Hands on Art