MAKE IT - MADE IT Conference was founded to share support for the arts, making and design communities of Newcastle with further reach across Australia.
A day of art, making and design talks presented with a focus on sharing knowledge and practices in the arts along with accompanying satellite events and carefully curated exhibitions. Currently in it’s sixth year, Brett has invited speakers from France, USA, South Korea, New Zealand and many Australian major cities.
MAKE IT - MADE IT encourages it’s presenters to share insight into their practice and share knowledge on managing a creative career. Since its beginning, the conference has built the confidence of many young creatives and practicing artists that now challenge themselves in directions they would have been too afraid of in the past.
As part of the main event, Brett collaborates with Youth Mental Health organisations. Each year, Brett provides art materials to high schools and facilitates Youth Mental Health art walks with guest presenters from the conference. The walk provides advice, skill sharing and drawing practices within nearby forestries. In 2019 we collaborated with indigenous groups to share connection through stories and a smoking ceremony.
Each year shares creative talks, live demonstrations, exhibitions, panel discussions, live music and more. The conference has proven to be a great success with many returning to learn and share ideas every year. Discover more here.
Onwards Studio and Gallery is a platform that is designed to specifically support artists by offering creative studios to work from and a gallery that gives 100% of sales to exhibiting artists.
Onwards ‘No Commission’ Gallery has a much different model to your common white wall exhibition space. With white cinder block walls and hardwood timber structural beams, it’s an unusually inviting warehouse gallery experience. We embrace and share this unique environment with upcoming and established artists to exhibit their work.
Onwards Studio and Gallery was founded by Brett Piva to create a more welcoming model that shares support, advice and promotes growth for local creatives.
It’s an innovative studio aiming to support national and international artists through exhibitions, creative collaborations, live music events and gatherings.
The studios share a carefully selected group of alternative and talented individuals from diverse creative backgrounds that are the core of Onwards community. Incredibly smart, talented and motivated with a variety of skill sets that you can learn from and collaborate with to create exciting opportunities. Discover more here.
Photography by Mitch Lee