Patron and Judges

Jennifer Turpin

Jennifer Turpin — a Ravenswood Alumni — is an environmental artist who has created award winning public domain artworks at the interface of art, science, nature and the built environment for over 20 years. Many of these works are a collaboration with artist Michaelie Crawford. Working with nature’s elemental energies, the artworks engage water, wind and light as sculptural media. They are rhythmic, responsive and transformative ‘performances’ in the everyday life of the city. Playful and contemplative, the artworks make visible the invisible and highlight the elemental forces of nature so often the taken for granted.

The environmental projects are both permanent and temporary and often involve the extensive participation of local communities. The participatory projects are highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted and incorporate educative as well as art outcomes.

Jennifer and the Turpin + Crawford Studio team work with scientists, engineers and specialist designers and fabricators to realise their innovative sculptural projects. She has participated in numerous public domain design teams in Australia and internationally in the role of artist, curator and cultural planner.

Edwina Palmer

Edwina Palmer is a Visual Arts practitioner and educator, and is the Coordinator of Visual Arts at Ravenswood, Gordon. Edwina qualified at the College of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Art Education and Masters of Art and Design Education. She is an experienced educator and artist with teaching experience in primary, secondary and tertiary education. She has exhibited her work for the past 25 years throughout Australia. Edwina has been a presenter for Australian Catholic University (ACU), AIS and Art Express (BOS/DET).  Between 2009 and 2013 she was a sessional lecturer in Teaching and Learning, Classroom Management and Masters Contextual Studies in Art and Design Education at the College of Fine Arts, University of NSW.  In addition, Edwina gained high level state based experience in examination, assessment, management and accountability as a Senior Marker and Chief Examiner for the Board of Studies in Visual Arts in NSW. 

"The role of creative arts in education is profound and enduring. Creating art crosses many disciplines, industries and careers, providing meaningful social and financial benefit to communities and economies.

As such, art as a school subject must be treated as equal to the Department of Education’s focus on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) — from STEM to STEAM. With visual art as a greater part of Australian education, the future of Australian industry and innovation will be powered by greater creativity and imagination."

Kathryn Hendy-Ekers

Kathryn Hendy-Ekers — a Ravenswood Alumni — is the Visual Arts Curriculum Manager at the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. She is responsible for the Visual Arts and Media curriculums from F – 12. Kathryn trained in NSW at the College of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education. She is an experienced educator with teaching experience in Primary and Secondary schools both in Victoria, interstate and in South East Asia. She has an interest in the relationships between curriculum and the Arts industry through teaching and learning in art galleries and museums and the role of artists working in schools. Most recently Kathryn has been working on the implementation of the Victorian Curriculum and the development of whole school Arts education programs. She is currently studying a PhD in Visual Arts education and curriculum development in art museums and galleries with Charles Sturt University, Bathurst.