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Stephanie Champion and Teresa Spedone launched blueBanksia – an art workshop directory in November 2008. The site is more than an internet directory, as it is geared to support anyone wishing to embrace the visual arts as a creative vehicle for self expression. And it also aims to promote the many artists who are making a living from teaching others.
As beginner artists, blueBanksia was created in response to our passion for furthering our artistic skills and abilities. After attending a couple of extended art workshops, we realised that this focused time, immersed in our art, was just what we wanted and needed. It allowed us to master new artistic skills, expand our creative vision and gather further inspiration from the other participants. And it was lots of fun!
We also wanted to use our skills to set up and run a business which could give us time to pursue our own art.
While we both also attend weekly art classes, the uninterrupted focus of art workshops, over one or more days, allows time to follow a line of enquiry, consolidate skills and also allows you to experience some of Australia’s most beautiful and inspiring locations.
blueBanksia was born out of the frustration of trying to find art workshops BEFORE they were over. We seemed to be forever missing out on great workshops that were sometimes in our own community but which we knew nothing about. We started searching online and realised that there were countless art workshops around Australia but that we had to trawl through literally hundreds of sites to find the information we needed.
That’s when we decided to create an internet directory of art workshops and courses. blueBanksia now lists over 380 art workshop and course providers and through them access to thousands of workshops and courses.
Art workshops listed on blueBanksia take the form of:
- art workshops with renowned tutors - most art workshops provide talented experienced art tutors
- studio space available in stunningly beautiful locations - some art workshops are self-directed so that you can organise your own community of artists to experience a stimulating environment to practice your art
- plein-air workshops in the remote Australian outback
- painting holidays around Australia
- workshops focused on one art category
- multiple workshops focused in a variety of art categories, often offered in summer and winter schools
2009
Nine months after launching bluebanksia we can no longer ignore the many requests to list art classes and courses on blueBanksia. So we have extended the range and scope of blueBanksia from art workshops to art workshops and courses.
2010
This year has seen some more changes to blueBanksia. New categories including Artists' Portfolios have been added to the site. The Artists' Portfolios provides artists with a Gallery with nine photos of artworks plus information about the artist, their teaching style and experience. Included are contact details and a weblink to the artist’s site, if they have one.
The calendar of events proved to be a very popular part of blueBanksia so we have expanded it into a new Events Calendar where organisers of art workshops and classes, art exhibitions, art competitions, art festivals and international art tours can list their events.
There are more changes to come so bookmark this site and come back and have a look soon. Even better subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter and have the news delivered to your inbox.
We hope you enjoy exploring our site and we would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions or feedback as we aim to continually improve the site.
Stephanie and Teresa
Stephanie on completing an Associate Diploma in Microcomputer Systems became involved in web development and education, and is currently completing a Diploma in Fine Arts.
Teresa has long been involved in education and learning and has a BA in Fine Arts from Sydney University.
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