COASTAL LIFE CONTEST

Everyone loves a good contest. Real estate broker Rachael Dempster was the mastermnd behind the campaign, which was intended to draw attention to the amazing things that the Sunshine Coast has to offer, whether you live here or come for a visit. We offered up the ART LOFT as one of the prizes for two lucky people – a two night stay at the ART LOFT. Photographer Dolf Vermeulen did an amazing job capturing the essence of the building, the ART LOFT, and the art found inside and out.

Mixed media sculpture: Robert Studer
Fiber art: Beth Hawthorn
Paintings: Todd Clark

ART CRAWL WEEKEND

Once a year we polish up the studio and open the space for the public to explore. The 2018 Sunshine Coast Art Crawl was a sweet reminder of why we do it. The feedback is incredible and people express how thrilled they are to have the opportunity to see the studio and the abundance of creativity. This year was the first time our upstairs gallery was open to the public –  a new addition to the studio. I spent two busy weeks creating a textile based installation of various smaller pieces. I have always been diverse in my interests and open to exploring different processes. This year I explored a combination of weaving, fabric dying, knot tying, sewing and creasing –  all using natural materials.

INDIGO DYEING ON BALI

In 2014 Robert and I took our two children on a year long journey through South East Asia. It was an incredible trip that included 5 countries and a lot of creativity. We encountered a small indigo fabric dyeing studio on Bali, Indonesia, where our family made a series of visits so that we could each create some textiles to bring home with us. The experience was full of textures, smells and an amazing studio that showed its age and grit – a place that holds special memories for us.