Catherine Buckley - Chair

As a Tactile Arts member for more than fifteen years, Catherine has held positions on the committee over time and volunteered extensively within the organisation, particularly in the areas of photography and graphic design.

Relevant tertiary education includes courses in Adobe programs at CSC and further courses in the Adobe suite and in art, design, photography, drawing, sculpture, screen printing and typography at NTU.

Given her enduring interest in the creative world, Catherine is honoured to be further involved, and plans, together with the committee, to make a difference in a positive way.

Dawn Beasley - Vice-chair

With over 20 years’ experience as an artist, an arts educator and an arts administrator working in medium to large organisations internationally and in Darwin, Dawn is equipped with experience in leadership, management and governance roles.

As an active member of Tactile Arts since 2017 and a current studio hirer, Dawn has experience as a craft fair stall holder, a shop volunteer, an exhibitor, an artist-in-residence and a workshop tutor. As such she has experienced all the different aspects of the organisation and feels well placed to represent members’ interests. Dawn believes in the need for transparency and excellent communication between the committee and the members that it represents, and in the value of Tactile Arts as a members’ association promoting and working for the benefit of local artists and craftspeople.

From her practice as an artist, Dawn has also gained a good understanding of the grant application process, having been awarded a Churchill fellowship for Excellence in the Visual Arts, and a grant from the Australian Council for the Arts.

Sue Hunt - Treasurer

Sue is a Long term Darwin resident who enjoys gardening and handicrafts. Her latest project is creating hand bags and floor mats by crocheting recycled linen.

Sue has extensive experience as a bookkeeper, running a family business and working in a locally-owned business.  

Serving as treasurer of Tactile Arts gives Sue the opportunity to combine her interests in the arts with her finance experience in a multicultural organisation whilst providing value to the community.

Clement Ng - Secretary

Clement migrated to Australia from Hong Kong in 2004 and has lived in the Northern Territory since 2011. He is a lawyer and researcher by profession.

He began learning ceramics in 2021 and joined Tactile Acts as a member in September 2021.

He joined the Management Committee in March 2022 as the treasurer and was then elected to the current Management Committee at the 2022 AGM.

Jeannie Bennett - Management Committee Member

Jeannie is a lifetime Territorian who has worked in NT schools for over 30 years as a teacher, and for the last 12 years as Principal of the Darwin Languages Centre. As principal, Jeannie managed a staff of 65, with a substantial budget, equipping her with significant experience which she brings to her role with Tactile Arts.

In the final two years of her principalship Jeannie assumed management of the Casuarina Night Classes, which was redeveloped as the Adult Short Courses, with a viable and economically sound business model providing recreational short courses to the community in arts, languages, and other interests nominated by the community. Her leadership experience includes skills in governance, strategic planning, HR, finance, community engagement and events.

Jeannie has an undergraduate degree in arts and education, a Grad Dip in Educational Admin, Master of Education and a PhD. she is now semi-retired, and works for CDU part time, mentoring new teachers in our schools. 

Jeannie is also a hobby ceramicist and has been a member of Tactile Arts for five years with involvement in many of the craft fairs.

Annie Gastin - Management Committee Member

Annie's professional experience includes secondary arts/crafts and ESL teaching, singing, acting and broadcasting with ABC radio.

She is not an avid ceramicist after participating in a workshop at Tactile Arts some years ago.

Her media experience and contacts enable her to help promote craft fairs, exhibitions and individual artists.

She spends most weeks working or teaching in the ceramics studio, enabling her to meet both visitors and members to get feedback and promote the many features and functions of Tactile Arts.