GC Creative Conversations is a network for arts and health professionals to connect, learn and share. The format and direction of the group will largely be shaped by participants. Whilst we are hosting it on the Gold Coast, if there is interest across the South East Qld region we will rotate future meetings.

Through peer to peer conversation artists, cultural producers and health professionals will gain support to be the best they can be. From skills sharing to connecting and building a community of practice, GC Creative Conversations is structured to help you advance projects, finding solutions to challenges and reducing isolation.

This is an opportunity to share including bringing a plate of some tasty delights.

Coffee and a range of tea will be available.

The sessions are run by volunteer facilitators: Dr Karleen Gwinner and Rachel Clarkin

Questions that artists might bring to session could be:

experience, skills and training- what works and what doesn’t?
3 opportunities and/or challenges of working on Gold Coast
how to develop an idea that I’m stuck on
how to collaborate with others who have had similar experiences or themes in your work (i.e a particular illness)
how can we work together

About

Dr Karleen Gwinner’s primary field of practice is at the nexus of art and health, but includes expertise in environment, and socio-cultural action. Her work spans scholarly, research and professional activities as an artist, artsworker and researcher across sectors including many non-government organisations such as Access Arts, Hands On Art, PCYC, Youth Arts QLD, headspace, Mental Health Alliance, Zig Zag, Isis and Mental Illness Fellowship. Currently she is curating creative wild connections that reach “everyday people’ in the regional rural region of the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Since completing her Bachelor of Art Therapy, Rachel Clarkin has accrued encompassing experience serving diverse client groups and community initiatives. This includes person-centred art therapy sessions for women, children, and social workers in the domestic violence refuge sector, and providing trauma support for adolescents with Autism Sectum Disorder. Working with clients of Legacy Gold Coast Rachel provide creative grief psychotherapy for families. Committed to professional growth, she is actively involved in Metro South Health Primary Network- Disaster Recovery Network and serves on the Hand Bent Banana Arts and Health Centre Advisory Board. Volunteering as an Art Therapist with Motor Neuron Disease Association Qld, Rachel leads group art therapy programs for high school students and community groups, fostering a supportive network on the Gold Coast.