Tactile Arts Board

Katherine Bradley - Chair

Katherine Bradley is an artist and teacher with a career spanning more than 25 years and a broad experience of being a part of the Northern Australian educational and arts community. She currently works for Australian Catholic University as an Academic Mentor in the Teach for Australia program. Katherine has exhibited regularly and is a founding member of the Rapid Creek Artist Collective. Over many years, she has been actively involved in presenting her own, student and other artists work to the general public. Katherine has also been involved in the implementation of new curriculum to schools and the management of staff and studios and workshops in the art and design area.

Gerald Clapham- Vice Chair

 

Gerald has been a member of Tactile arts since arriving in Darwin in the mid 1990s , where he has served several times on the Tactile arts board supporting Tactile Arts Markets, Exhibition and Teaching programs over his time in Darwin.
Currently Gerald with his wife Kate operate their pottery studio “Studioelevenlee” selling at Parap market and Craft fairs regularly.
Gerald also supports local pottery enthusiast, teaching and sharing his skills through Tactile arts and DASC courses and running a pottery supply and support shop for ex-students ,local potters and in suppling and supporting of Darwin Teachers and the school arts programs.

 

 

 

 

 

Jeannie Bennett - Treasurer
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.

Tracey Campbell - Secretary

I have recently retired from the regular workforce. Pottery and associated parts of the art and craft world have now become the main focus of my life. I now have time and interest to contribute actively to Tactile Arts, which is an organisation that I value highly. I have worked for many years in the NT Public Service as well as in non-government agencies and small business, with a background in Occupational Therapy. I have sound administrative and written communication skills, as well as experience as a committee member on a number of community associations.

I have experience and appreciation of many different crafts, having tried or learned about many creative activities over the years. My main passion is pottery / ceramics which has been a lifetime interest. I have been a member of Tactile Arts intermittently since my arrival in Darwin in 1985. I have become more actively involved over recent few years as a stallholder at Tactile Arts Craft Fairs and participating in other Tactile Arts’ activities including Artea, Gallery sitting, workshop attendance and the Tactile Arts shop.

 

Yvonne Odegaard- Board Member

Yvonne is a Larrakia Elder, recognised Larrakia artist, Fashion designer, Textile artist and create driftwood sculptures and jewellery. She has collaborated with a well known Darwin artist Janie Andrews in two primary school Projects. Larrakia Mural Gulumoerrgin Seasons Project at Giraween Primary School and in late 2023 she collaborated with Janie Andrews in a screenprinting workshop, teaching and mentoring the Belyuen students.

In 2023, Yvonne showcased her Larrakia Songlines painting at the Darwin Entertainment Centre as part of Charles Darwin University's exhibition The More Than Human World, curated by Birut Zimets. She also presented her artwork Cat Woman, inspired by the Super Heroes exhibition at the Northern Centre for Contemporary Art (NCCA). That same year, she collaborated with her daughter, Datarwa, on a fashion collection titled Gun Gwa Gulumoerrgin for the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair's Country to Couture. Additionally, Yvonne completed a Certificate IV in Visual Arts at Casuarina CDU, marking a significant and accomplished year in her creative journey.

Kathryn Carter - Board Member

Kathryn's passion for crafting unique recycled paper and paper sculptures spans over three decades, and in 2015, she joined Tactile Arts to further explore her artistic talents.

Having retired from the Northern Territory Government's public service, where she spent 20 years working across various departments in administration, communication, and media roles, Kathryn decided to pursue her creative calling with Tactile Arts.

Since joining the organisation, Kathryn has been an active volunteer and a familiar face at the Parliament House Tactile Arts shop. When she's not busy crafting works for the Tactile Arts Markets, Kathryn also works as a tour guide for five different companies in Darwin, showcasing the city's rich cultural heritage and natural wonders to visitors from around the world.

 

Staff

 

Aneka Truman - General Manager

Aneka has almost 20 years’ experience in the creative industries; with a background in the fashion industry, Aneka trained at London College of Fashion and went on to work in the Marketing Department for both Levi’s and Clarks. She has spent the last 10 years establishing her own business, Made to Sew; a fashion and sewing education platform, with a global customer base and successful YouTube following of 450,000 subscribers.

Aneka has experience with event planning, project management, as well as marketing and communications. She has provided business development support to Made to Sew customers, offered educational business seminars on marketing and social media to sewing machine retailers at the annual Bernina University conference in the USA, and supported the BEC, N.T with talks on social media. Passionate about supporting creatives and small business owners, Aneka’s knowledge combines creative, small business development with large corporate experience.


Arlya Denholm- Operations and Programs Manager

Arlya is the Operations and Programs Manager at Tactile Arts, bringing a deep passion for the arts and a strong commitment to supporting and facilitating local artists. With experience in exhibition curation and installation, public programs and event coordination, she has a unique understanding of how to help bring creative projects to life.
A proud Darwin local, Arlya has a special connection to the NT’s vibrant art scene and enjoys contributing to its growth and diversity. In addition to her arts management role, she is a scientific illustrator, drawing inspiration from both the natural world and the creative possibilities it holds.
Outside of her professional work, Arlya loves spending time in the outdoors, exploring the beauty of the Top End. Her combination of artistic expertise, local knowledge, and enthusiasm for the arts makes her an invaluable part of the Tactile Arts team.

 

 

Millie Hunter - Admin & Accounts Assistant

Millie is a young aspiring artist who graduated year 12 in 2021. Before working at Tactile Arts, Millie worked as an Aged Care Support Worker, which she enjoyed, however, is excited to start her journey in the arts industry and nurture her artistic flare. Millie was born in Scotland, her love for art emerged after emigrating to Australia in 2014. Millie works as the Admin and Events Coordinator at Tactile Arts, where she loves to meet the lovely members, hearing of their love for art and furthering her passion.