About us

Wesley Arts has been inspiring and guiding artists through inclusive arts practice across South East Queensland over the past decade. Bringing together the Art from the Margins and the Stellar Arts brands, Wesley Arts aims to transform the lives of those experiencing adversity and disability through visual, performing and digital art programs.

Specialist Disability accommodation residents enjoying a music workshop

Visitors to the gallery listening to a talk

Girl smiling at camera with paintbrush and her teacher

Wesley Arts dressed up in their Brisbane Broncos supporters gear

Guest speaker at Wesley Arts, Art from the Margins gallery

History

Since its establishment in 2008 by founder Dr Ian Airey, Art from the Margins has empowered artists living with mental health issues, physical or intellectual disabilities or those experiencing homelessness and isolation. Stellar Arts (established in 2018) has worked to provide both performing and visual arts workshops designed to support people living with a disability to experience the wide-reaching benefits of creative endeavours.

In 2021, Art from the Margins and Stellar Arts combined to create Wesley Arts; a program that provides a broad range of arts workshops for marginalised people. Wesley Arts provides opportunities, giving a pathway to enrichment, personal growth and professional development through creative practice.

The team

With a highly trained team of staff and facilitators active in the creative industries, Wesley Arts has undertaken several performance projects and collaborations which offers our participants the chance to extend their skill set beyond the workshop, to the stage or an exhibition; should they wish.

We believe that by connecting our participants with working artists and creative practitioners, they will be able to effectively learn skills from their chosen art form, and be equipped with the tools to use the arts to enrich their whole life – whether that be increasing their own capacity, managing their wellbeing, or building a career in the creative industries.

Paige McKay performing arts facilitator with Wesley Arts

Some of the team at Wesley Arts, from left to right: Annie Peterson and Martine Cotton, The Joy Dispensary, Pearce Hoskinson, Christine Butler, Julie Gallo, Ash Djokic, Paige Mackay, Martine Cotton and Tim Jackman

Governance

Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ) is a not-for-profit community service provider that offers community support, mental health services, aged, disability and palliative care, and retirement living across Queensland. WMQ operates as an Institution of the Uniting Church to provide accessible and flexible services to older people, those living with a disability or mental illness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and vulnerable children and families.

Wesley Arts Advisory Group

Chair - Irene Mengel

Whilst still early in her career, Irene has a range of experience in both the Arts, Legal and Business sectors. From mentoring a group of emerging artists, managing day-to-day operations, and collaborating with a range of organisations as Manager of the Aspire Gallery, Irene also works part-time at a boutique intellectual property law firm assisting clients in start-up, music, art & design industries. In late November 2020, she is also intending to be admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Queensland. To marry this cross-industry experience, Irene is undertaking a Masters of Philosophy in Art Economics, focusing on the self-sufficiency and sustainability of the Australian Arts Market.

Deputy Chair - Justine Ebzery

Justine Ebzery is a Director of Fulton Trotter Architects and has worked as an Architect for over 25 years in both the public and private sector. Justine has led and contributed to numerous significant community, healthcare, education and aged care projects for private, institutional and government clients. Justine has been active in community and industry organisations including the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), the Architects Mental Wellbeing Forum for the Association of Consulting Architects, and the Capital Sub-committee of the Qld Catholic Education Commission. Justine enjoys supporting arts events in the company of her husband and three children, as well as singing in a community choir and bushwalking with friends.

Gary Lynch BBus (Public Administration), GAICD

Gary Lynch joined the Art from the Margins Board in 2019 and brings a wealth of experience from the not for profit sector. Gary holds a Bachelor of Business in Public Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Gary has worked in public administration for many years and is currently Vice President of Kings College within the University of Queensland. Gary has also served as Chairman of a leading Brisbane private school and on a national apprenticeship training organisation. Gary and his family attend Bulimba Uniting Church where he is a Church Councillor and Elder.

Anne Copeland

Anne joined the Board for Art from the Margins in 2017. She recently retired from her career, in which she held a number of roles as a Registered Nurse with membership of several professional boards. She is also a member of the Centre for Practical Spirituality of the Merthyr Road Uniting Church Board where she attends, as well as the Burnie Brae Community Centre at Chermside Board. Anne also visits hospitals as a pastoral carer and frequently spends her free time as an artist, a reader and a motorbike pillion passenger.

Varun Sinh

Varun has been on the Board at Art from the Margins since July 2020. He currently works in the financial services sector with over 10 years’ experience in the industry. He balances his full-time job with his passion for art and involvement in the local Brisbane arts scene as an emerging artist. Varun has organised group art exhibitions locally and had solo exhibitions in Sydney and Melbourne. He is active in various local artist collectives and attends art exhibitions and events on a weekly basis. Varun has a passion for raw and emerging art and is especially interested in the artist and their backgrounds.

Annie Peterson

Annie is well known to the Queensland arts sector having worked for 30 years as a performer, teacher, program director (Woodford Folk Festival), creator/producer (Women in Voice), director (Flipside Circus, Rhapsodaisy Music) and various other major events. She joined Wesley Mission in Queensland in 2018, establishing creative arts programs, now managing the broader Wesley Arts service. Annie is passionate about creating equitable access to creative arts exploration and practice, believing the arts connects us, shares our stories and transforms lives.

Supporters

Join the Wesley Arts network! Wesley Arts has worked with a number of vital arts and non-arts organizations focusing on creating community-led arts experiences. Below are just some of the organisations we have worked with. If your company is also invested in community-led arts, please reach out.