Board Members
Click on each photo to find out more about Board members.
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Merry RoberstonChairperson
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Bev DoigVice Chairperson
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Simone KloseSecretary
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Diana HendersonMember
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Andrea TottenMember
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Jonathon HookMember
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Claudia FormTreasurer
Merry Roberston
Merry is a Marketing Consultant and Professional Speaker, and has extensive experience in Events Management. She contributed to the development of the new ASWA branding and website, and leant her expertise to sponsorship relationships, strategic planning, and the development of the Albany Open Studios.
Merry is an artist and past guide for the Art Gallery of WA, and is continuing to work on other initiatives to raise the Arts profile within the City of Albany.
Merry originally trained as a graphic designer and illustrator. She works in Printmaking, Drawing, Mixed Media and Illustration, Her work is detailed and decorative, exploring flora, fauna and landscapes. Merry’s work often has layers of meaning, with inspiration sourced from family and travel. She opens her Merry Press Studio during the Southern Art and Craft Trail.
Bev Doig
Bev has an extensive background in education, vocational training, community organisations and local government.
She is a keen advocate of fostering creativity in all ages and the important role that art practice and appreciation plays in our communities- local and global.
A busy artist in her Kalgan home studio, Bev’s focus is printmaking and illustration. Her work is often imaginatively open ended- fostering imagination in all ages. She also delivers printmaking workshops and opens her studio during the Southern Art and Craft Trail.
Simone Klose
As a fairly new business owner in the Great Southern, one of my professional development goals for 2023 is to sit on a Board. I believe the ASWA Secretary position will allow me to develop my relationships within the arts industry in the wider Great Southern region. I have spent the last 10 years working in Community Development, social inclusion and the arts within a local government setting but also as a freelance consultant. I have delivered a range of projects over the years with a particular passion for Noongar engagement across the Great Southern and more recently with Breaksea on their Seachange Project. This was a 3 month process that facilitated authentic creative experiences by devising new work through collaborative pathways with community participants of all backgrounds.
With a strong background in large scale events and community art projects, I will bring 10+ years of experience to ArtSouth WA to support delivery of arts projects in communities across regional WA.
Diana Henderson
Diana has a unique talent of connecting seemingly unrelated ideas and people, and in doing so creates unique solutions and perspectives. Her ability to see potential futures and the connecting points necessary to get there, make her a master connector and creative entrepreneur. Diana is a builder of Renaissance Communities- places where individuals and organisations outwork their unique gifts and passions in collaboration. When you give people a safe space to try and fail together, in community, innovation and creativity flourish.
Andrea Totten
Working for the last 19 years in Albany, and 24 years in high school education, Andrea has joined ArtSouthWA to provide opportunities for Albany’s youth to exhibit their Visual Artworks.
In the past Andrea was co-creator of an Art Collective Gallery and Studio whose primary ethos was to provide emerging artists low-cost gallery and exhibition space as an entry point into professional practice, engaging youth in public art projects at both Daglish and West Leederville train station underpasses and entrant in the Shell Fremantle Print Award.
Now, although feeling more so an Uber driver with a family of three children and 2 dogs, Andrea is reconnecting with her love for painting and printmaking, and recently joining Albany Printmaking Group.
Jonathon Hook
I’m entering my 51st year as a full time art practicioner in the ceramic medium, however my interest in the arts covers all mediums, music, theatre, dance etc.
Founding member of Denmark arts and active in that organisation with markets, clown festival, touring musical artists/events.
Serving on the board of Denmark tourist association for many years when tourist boards had to become self funding and independent of state funding.
Claudia Form
Claudia has always had a great interest in art in its various form. While she says her creativity is usually in the kitchen, her and her artist husband have created the Shelley Beach Art Centre in Kronkup. They plan for it to become an arts hub for activities and exhibitions once completed.
Claudia is a professional business manager and owner and brings her Business Administration and Accounting skills to ASWA.
“It is an honour to join the ASWA Board and I look forward to assisting our members and the Art community with my experience.”