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When Artable was catapulted into the spotlight through their win at the NSW Chamber of Commerce regional awards for the Northern Rivers, it was the arts community who cheered the loudest. One of their own was in the spotlight.

10 years ago a small arts space quietly opened up in the close-knit community of Kingscliff with little fanfare. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Gillian Grove would walk across the road to the Catholic School to take the hands of 10 eager children keen to spend the afternoon drawing and painting.

The lollipop man knew this group well and waited patiently for little feet to make their way, all under the guidance of a local Family Mediator who wanted to share her love of the arts with her community.

Even back then if you asked Gillian, she would tell you that she had no idea what was to come. That she would move on to build 2 art schools seeing close to 400 students a week all under the motto that ‘anyone could learn to draw and paint with the right teaching and the right tools’. That she would be flying around the world with small groups of creatives on painting holidays or that she would end up bringing some of the largest names in International art to the rolling hills of the Northern Rivers to share their skills in workshops.

Gillian says that the biggest shock came when she got a phone call one afternoon from the assistant to Johnny Depp and spent 3 weeks as the private art teacher to both Johnny and Amber Heard at their house in Coomera back in 2015.

One to shun the limelight, Gillian prefers to step quietly. "People need to feel safe to get to an art class and try something new. I see my role as making those spaces as comfortable as possible."

Of late, Gillian’s role has turned towards helping other artists as she steps into the role of Event Director of the $10K landscape prize the ‘Darcy Doyle’ on the Gold Coast, taking over the reigns from 81 year old Earl Hinschen who started the award 15 years ago.

“I absolutely believe that we need to be working together as much as possible and that the high tide floats all boats. When someone wins an arts prize, starts teaching, sells an artwork or gets a write up or their story heard, the entire art community benefits.

We have seen a movement towards slow food and the hand-made, won’t it be great when we are all hanging someone’s art (or our own) on our walls? The shift is closer than we think.”

Gillian is humble again when asked about her recent awards wins, “The award means less to me than my ability to shine a light on the arts in general, especially arts at a community level. I truly believe that engaging in something creative makes you a happier person.”

Artable has just released a new suite if Australian-based retreats for those keen to holiday at home - head to their website for further information at www.artable.com.au.