Artist In Residence: Butter Factory Arts Centre
The Butter Factory Arts Centre in Cooroy is fast becoming one of the region’s most innovative gallery spaces. From fashion parades inspired by heroes to a night of live opera music, there are new events and ideas constantly on show at the BFAC, as Jolene Ogle discovers.
The latest addition to the gallery is the Kaya Sulc Residency Studio. The space is a Butter Factory Arts Centre initiative designed to honour the life’s work of internationally collected, Cooroy-based artist Kaya Sulc.
The Kaya Sulc Residency Studio is ready to launch after a successful pilot program. The space has been designed to offer artists a place where they can create, as well as engage in informal mentoring and concept development. Artist Doug Walker was the first to take part as the pilot program.
Doug lives on a house boat on the river and has been in the residency space since September. His work will now culminate in a six-week exhibition that will run until 18 January. For Doug, the experience has been priceless.
“This has been an experience that cannot be measured. To be given exhibition time is a dream come true,” he said.
Doug said the experience has allowed him to gain more confidence in his works as well as experiment with his techniques.
BFAC coordinator Alicia Sharples said she is impressed with the dedication and sensitivity Doug has demonstrated through his interactions with the space and his practice.
“It’s lovely to see him shine,” she said. “It’s great to see his confidence growing and to see him receiving compliments for his work that shows strong conceptual elements with advanced techniques of colour application.”
Noosa and Sunshine Coast-based artists often struggle to find studio space, sometimes having to take out their own lease. Ms Sharples hopes the Kaya Sulc Residency Studio help alleviate this problem.
“By providing an affordable and accessible space for artists to create, we are helping artists connect to their community,” she said.
“This residency will preview the experience for artists, other venues and building owners. It will plant the idea of more studios, and I am certain they will begin cropping up.”
Ms Sharples explained Doug’s time in the residency was a pilot and the space will now be launched and allow artists to work in a community setting where they can explore their practice in a public arena.
“The creative process is a multi-dimensional process for everyone and creating in a public space can bring some pressure but at some stage in any creative act the artist wonders how their work will be received,’ she explained.
Doug added that getting critique from more experienced artists has been invaluable in his journey as an artist. The outcome for every artist in the residency space can vary, but Doug has chosen to exhibit his work in a six-week exhibition in the mezzanine space, a show called FLOW.
For more information about their artist residency program, visit www.butterfactoryartscentre.com.au.
