Ballarat Arts Foundation 25 Years, 25 Artists

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25 Years, 25 Artists is a special podcast series celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Ballarat Arts Foundation. Over 25 episodes, Tabitha Rickard speaks with 25 artists from each year of BAF's history. They'll reflect on the journey, their work, and the impact of the Foundation's support.

  1. Jan 21

    Fehraz Lateef - Creating from the Inside Out

    In episode 25 of 25 Years 25 Artists, Tabitha Rickard sits down with filmmaker, storyteller and poet Fehraz Lateef. A recent addition to the BAF family, Fehraz is a 2025 Annual Grant Round winner, receiving the Jack Anderson Award for Filmmaking, and also a 2025 Eureka Art Award exhibitor. Fehraz’s creative journey began with poetry... a safe space, giving him a voice, a way to express his inner world, and a means to weave himself into the wider community. Alongside his filmmaking practice, Fehraz co‑hosts Ballarat Spoken Word at The Crypt in Ballarat Central, fostering connection through shared stories and lived experiences.  Drawn to filmmaking by its ability to combine music, motion and storytelling into a process that brings clarity and connection, Fehraz speaks about the validation he has felt being part of the BAF family, the importance of community, and how creativity expands when family and children are included in the process. This conversation is a thoughtful reflection on creativity, belonging, and the power of storytelling to bridge divides and bring people together. Follow Fehraz on Facebook, or at his website www.fehraz.com, or see him every second Sunday of the month at The Crypt.

    53 min

  2. Jan 14

    A Modern Medieval Journey with Emily Never

    In this episode, Tabitha Rickard dives into the world of Emily Never, a self-described modern medieval artist whose creative path began in Darwin with an unexpected spark from a Faber-Castell box. Emily shares her unconventional approach to landing a job at Kryal Castle - a pivotal moment that led to meeting her future spouse - and how she discovered her passion for ink, a medium that truly resonates with her. After moving to Ballarat, Emily found her artistic community through the Ballarat Arts Foundation, where she’s thrived as both mentee and mentor in the annual mentoring program. We explore the challenges of imposter syndrome, a common hurdle for many creatives, and hear about Emily’s transformative residency in France at the start of 2025, where she connected with artists from around the globe. Follow Emily’s journey and insights into art, mentorship, and finding your creative voice. You can find Emily on Instagram and TikTok at Emily_n3ver

    46 min

  3. 12/17/2025

    An Artists Journey : Amanda Western's Story

    Today, Tabitha Rickard dives into the inspiring journey of Amanda Western – a printmaker and emerging installation artist who traded the corporate grind for creativity. After facing burnout and personal challenges, Amanda found healing through art. From working at her dining room table to receiving her first grant from the Ballarat Arts Foundation, her path has been full of transformation. She’s now not only creating incredible work but also mentoring others, proving that collaboration and community can spark magic. Stay tuned as we talk about Amanda's first curated exhibition, overcoming that old favourite - imposter syndrome, and how working with peers feeds her soul. Let’s jump in. You can follow Amanda on Instagram - amanda_western_artist, Facebook, or at www.amandawestern.com.au

    51 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Behind the Arts and the Mission : This is Paula Nicholson

    Meet Paula Nicholson – a true country girl with music in her veins. Growing up in a musical family, Paula taught herself to play guitar and spent years performing in bands around Ballarat and across Melbourne’s vibrant music scene.  Her journey didn’t stop there. Paula and her husband became passionate supporters of the arts, leading her to join the Ballarat Arts Foundation and eventually serve as Chair of the Board for over a decade.  In this episode, discover Paula’s inspiring story of creativity, community, and leadership – from entertainer and performer to a driving force behind the arts.

    55 min

  5. 12/03/2025

    Patrick Duffy - The Cardboard Guy

    Join Tabitha in this inspiring episode of 25 Years 25 Artists as she chats with Patrick Duffy, affectionately known as “The Cardboard Guy.” Patrick’s artistic journey spans theatre, improv, and visual arts, with a creative twist born during the pandemic - transforming cardboard deliveries into captivating art. From his first exhibition at The Old Butchers Shop Gallery to blending multiple art forms, Patrick’s story is one of reinvention and passion. Discover how his involvement in the Ballarat Arts Foundation Mentoring Program - first as a mentee, then as a mentor - led him to become a board member and program coordinator, giving back to the community that embraced him. Tune in for a conversation about creativity, resilience, and the power of mentorship in the arts. You can follow Patrick on Instagram at patrickduffy_cleverfool

    56 min

  6. 11/26/2025

    Creating Characters & Building Dreams - Jayde Masterson's artistic journey

    Today, Tabitha sits down with one of BAF’s newest alumni, Jayde Masterson - a creative powerhouse and recent graduate of the Foundation’s mentoring program. Jayde is a content creator, makeup artist, and business owner whose journey took off during lockdowns when she began crafting themed characters that captured imaginations and led to collaborations like the Moonlight Market at Kryal Castle. Inspired by the US prosthetics competition Face Off, Jayde has turned her passion into a thriving online presence, with Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok becoming game-changers for her art and business. In this episode, Jayde shares how mentorship has helped shape her career, why having multiple coaches adds value to every facet of life, and her vision for building a sustainable, global creative enterprise. So, plug in and join us for an inspiring conversation about creativity, resilience, and the power of community. You can follow Jayde on Instagram @jaydemasteron, themoonlightmarket on TikTok, or Jayde Masterson on YouTube

    39 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    The Unstoppable Tabitha Rickard

    This week, we are flipping the script and handing the mic to guest host Olivia French, who sits down with the incredible Tabitha Rickard to explore her creative journey and how the Ballarat Arts Foundation helped shape her path. Tabitha is a true multi-disciplinary artis - currently focused on acting, presenting, and voice work - but her artistic path has touched so much more. From growing up in Clunes and landing a role in the iconic Ned Kelly film, to navigating family life while keeping her creative spark alive, Tabitha’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. In this conversation, you’ll hear how a chance meeting with BAF Chair Paula Nicholson led Tabitha to the mentoring program, a successful grant application, and the ability to record professionally. Plus, she shares her advice for artists looking for support and opportunities through BAF. So grab your headphones and join us for an inspiring chat about creativity, community, and carving your own path. You can find Tabitha on Instagram at Tabitharickard_vo

    1h 14m

  8. 11/12/2025

    Mentorship, Metal and Mastery : the Jessica Larm story

    This week, Tabitha Rickard sits down with Jessica Larm - an artist and jewellery maker with a fascinating journey. A recent Ballarat Arts Foundation alum, Jessica participated in the 2024 Mentoring Program and received a grant that same year that's helped her purchase the equipment she needs to hone her craft. Her work draws inspiration from her Nordic heritage, and while jewellery is her craft, Jessica considers herself an artist first. After attending art school in her 30s, she explored drawing, painting, and sculpture before discovering her passion for jewellery. In this episode, Jessica shares how the mentoring program clarified her goals, built her confidence, and connected her with a supportive community. We’ll also hear about the challenges she’s faced -  from career detours to health hurdles  - and how a single tool, a rolling mill purchased with her grant, became the foundation for her creative practice. Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation about resilience, artistry, and finding your path a little later in life. Follow Jessica on Instagram at jessica_larm_jewellery or at www.jessicalarm.com

    38 min
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About

25 Years, 25 Artists is a special podcast series celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Ballarat Arts Foundation. Over 25 episodes, Tabitha Rickard speaks with 25 artists from each year of BAF's history. They'll reflect on the journey, their work, and the impact of the Foundation's support.

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