Introducing the judges...

With only a couple of weeks left before the easter@ashgrove art entries are submitted, we take the opportunity to learn who the judges are and to share a little about their artistic backgrounds....

Rita Mechielsen

Rita has a teaching background specialising in Music and to a lesser degree the Visual Arts. After obtaining an Associate Diploma in Interior Decorating she became particularly interested in the power and affect colours have on people's senses.

She thoroughly enjoyed her previous opportunity to view and judge the art at ashgrove in 2010, and is looking forward to analysing the exhibits and the message communicated through the artist's techniques and presentation this Easter.

Rachel Jones

Rachel is a creative arts lover, teacher and devotee who has worked in high schools for 17 years. She has been a follower of Jesus for 30 years and is not even 40 yet!

Rachel lives with her dramatically inclined husband, Andrew, and hyperactive dog, Holly, in Alderley. The current writing on the blackboard in Rachel's kitchen is a quote by Henri Matisse that states: "Creativity takes courage".

Stephen Horne

Stephen was born in Papua New Guinea and educated in Victoria.  He has worked as a teacher, and also in Media and Christian education.

Stephen initially studied Film and Television where he majored in Animation and later completed a B.Ed. (Creative Arts).  After working for some time as an art teacher, Stephen reduced his teaching load in order to devote more time to his own art work.  He has won prizes for his art work (including the Sunshine Coast portrait prize) and has exhibited individually and in groups, including 'Visionaries' (a group of Christian artists).