FESTIVAL ARTIST
2024 FESTIVAL ARTIST - WAYNE PERRY
Born in Port Hedland, WA, Wayne could be termed the wandering troubadour. Travelling extensively throughout the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Europe, he backpacked, guitar in hand, learning his musical craft playing in many venues. Over the past 10 years, Wayne has been based in the Armadale area.
Wayne has developed into a fine fingerstyle guitarist/vocalist. At home as a singer/songwriter, playing bluegrass, country or in orchestral string ensembles, Wayne’s versatility allows him to play full-time.
“I have committed myself to being the best I can be, musically, and have surrounded myself with inspirational musicians whose high standards drive me to continually improve.”
“Since I’ve resided here I am amazed at the artistic talent we have here in Armadale. It’s an honour to be chosen, out of all the talented people here, as the Festival Artist for 2024. Looking at previous nominees, I am in distinguished company.”
Previous Festival Artists
2023 - MARY JARRETT
Mary Jarrett has always been interested in art which has influenced her life in many ways – from meeting her husband whilst studying a degree in art at night school, to a career in floral design. She is currently the proud President of the Armadale Society of Artists (ASA), promoting art and creativity through its classes, workshops, and community exhibitions. The membership includes those just starting to create art, to multi-award winning artists.
Working closely with the City of Armadale, Mary recently obtained new premises for ASA located at Armadale Arena. This has opened up opportunities including being able to host the community Extensions Exhibition this year and becoming more inclusive by adding a youth group membership for 12 to 17yr olds.
Nurturing creativity in people of all ages is important to both Mary and the ASA because it is a way to grow and connect as a community.
2022 - BREE HARTLEY
Bree Hartley has been a practitioner of the arts (music and theatre) since childhood with family singing, early music lessons and opportunities to take part in childhood stage shows. Continuing this love through her schooling she was in the music program at Kelmscott Senior High School and took part in their biannual musical productions.
Deciding to forgo a formal career on stage, she has instead opted to dedicate herself to creating opportunities in the community for people to engage with the performing arts as a school teacher, choir coordinator/conductor and community theatre group member and leader. She has been volunteering with the Roleystone Theatre since 1997 and has been a primary school music specialist in the local area since 2009.
Bree was honoured to be selected as a joint recipient of the City of Armadale Citizen of the Year for 2020, and was also a nominee for this award in 2018. It is with much joy that Bree has accepted the role of Armadale Arts Festival Artist for 2022, with the chance to share her love of performing arts, but more importantly to coordinate a project with community at its very heart.
2021 - JULIE FEARNS-PHEASANT
Julie, a visual artist and educator, has a professional creative career that spans over 40 years. Her community spirit and passion for local projects has made her, in her quiet way, one of the most well known artists in Armadale. She has had numerous solo and joint exhibitions as well as being an arts educator for over 20 years.
Julie came to Armadale as an immigrant with her family and lived here as a child, returning 22 years ago with her own family. She has assisted the City of Armadale develop some of its most cherished visual arts initiatives including the Minnawarra Art Awards and Outside the Frame, and has been an active participant of the Armadale Hills Open Studio Arts Trail for over four years.
Interested in personal art themes that symbolically convey social concerns, her current academic research uses narratives and well-known stories to address universal issues such as body image, bullying and depression.
Her professional arts studio based at her home is named Corbeau Arts Studio.
2020
2019 - GAVIN GRACE (GRACEY)
Gavin Grace (Gracey) is husband to Sharon, father of Justice, Reign and Pride, Founder of multi award-winning company Art vs Depression, Founder of the Resilient Friends Club, 2018 City of Armadale Citizen of the Year, advocate for the arts, champion of our local communities and a leader in art for social change strategy in Western Australia.
As the 2019 Festival Artist, Gracey produced a documentary, Connecting Us, which screened at the 2019 Armadale Arts Festival. The film explored how connecting to traditional cultural art forms can inspire, empower and engage diverse peoples and what role culture plays in our communities.
As part of Art vs Depression, Gracey has worked on many varied projects with local governments, schools, not-for-profit community organisations, individuals and groups.
2018 – CATHIE TRAVERS
A musician since the 1970s, Cathie Travers is now one of the most highly regarded accordionists in the nation. She has performed across a wide range of genres, from rock bands as a singer-guitarist and keyboard player, to a classical pianist, avant-garde keyboardist, and exponent of digital technologies in music.
Cathie’s talent has seen her featured as a composer, performer, and musical director for numerous theatre and dance works as well as ensemble and orchestral performances around Australia, Asia, USA, Canada, and the UK. Cathie is regularly inspired by a social or environmental situation and continues to write original and instrumental titles.
Cathie has a passion for sharing her gift through education, an innate sense of music, and a love of creativity.
2017 – RACHEL JOHN
Rachel John is the founder and musical director of the vibrant Classic Sounds Orchestra Association, that in 2017 was the recipient of the prestigious Australia Day award for Active Citizenship.
Rachel grew up in Armadale and for the past two decades has been an active performer, educator, workshop facilitator and arts administrator in the local music industry. She is a passionate advocate for strengthening community spirit through creative activities and believes the Arts have no age, gender or cultural boundaries.
She believes that “artistic and creative endeavours are what fill our souls with colour; they are a form of expression that is universally spoken.” Rachel recognises that music is simply a conduit for inspiring others, identifying learning-style strengths, and awaking neurological pathways. She loves being part of community music and the diverse social fabric that makes Armadale unique.
“It is a joy to be part of a community rich in cultural diversity and inspirational peers, and I am proud to be an ambassador for the growth of artistic values.”
2016 – TRUDI POLLARD
Trudi’s selection as inaugural Festival Artist recognised her long-term commitment to artistic inspiration and well-being of the Armadale community. Considered a textile art pioneer and foremost expert on Western Australian natural dyes, Trudi has been working, studying, lecturing and teaching in the areas of textile arts and ceramics for more than 40 years.
She exhibits locally, nationally and internationally, has won many awards and her work is held in both public and private collections world-wide. Her work has a strong focus on colour, locally derived from the earth’s minerals and plants. Trudi uses designs and techniques that reflect the underpinning anthropological story behind nature’s rich visual tapestry, which provides her with never-ending creative inspiration.