EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CHAIR, VICTORIA ALONDRA

Victoria Alondra is a poet, photographer, painter, and postgraduate student of mixed Nahua, Yaqui, and European ancestry. Born in Mexico, Victoria spent her early years between El Ahusco and Valloverde before her family was granted refugee status, settling in so-called Canada and spending her formative years in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside; Tsleil-Watuth, Squamish and Musqueam Territories.

In her artistic practice, Victoria delves into the complex interplay of grief and joy, employing them as acts of resistance against capitalism and colonialism. Victoria has built a unique personal praxis that draws from both grassroots and institutional learning to imagine and remember justice-doing.

Victoria is a key member of Fundación José Hernàndez Delgadillo, an archival record of political muralism in Mexico and Mutua Crianza, a cultural revitalisation organisation, and has assisted with curations, poetry festivals and editing creative works. Beyond the realm of art, Victoria has dedicated the last 15 years to working for specialist therapeutic programs, family violence organisations, healing centres and incarcerated children. A long-term resident of Mparntwe, Victoria seeks to continue learning and working toward building a future where, as the Zapatistas say, another world is possible.

TREASURER, JOEL STELLER

Joel brings his experience to the board in community development, with a strong focus on program design, community engagement and outcomes measurement. He has worked with a wide range of non-profits, creative initiatives and Aboriginal community controlled organisations to support them to deliver social impact.

Joel is currently a manager with Social Ventures Australia, and is working with the Central Land Council to design and establish a remote jobs trial in Ltyentye Apurte to influence national employment reform.

Back in 2015, Joel cofounded and led a social enterprise called Welcome Studio for 6 years, an artist run initiative that partnered with local artists from refugee backgrounds to build community cohesion, create employment opportunities and make our cities more inclusive.

In his own creative practice, Joel is currently fixated on stained glass copper foiling, furniture making and writing music.

SECRETARY, LUCY STEWART

Lucy is an artist, arts administrator, and educator who first arrived in the NT in 1992 and has spent most of her time living and working on Arrernte Country in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). She has experience across a wide range of arts organisations including the Araluen Arts Centre, Desart, Arts NT, Tasmanian Regional Arts, Central Craft and Red Hot Arts. Her art practice spans media art, ceramics, and community cultural development; focusing on collaborative artmaking and response to place.

For 20-plus years she has co-facilitated arts projects that support increased awareness of Mparntwe sacred sites. Most significantly the Yeperenye Sculpture at the Araluen Cultural Precinct and the Alice to Mparntwe Sacred Sites Tours for Artists that have been running since 2007.

GENERAL BOARD MEMBERS

AZURA NICHOLS

Azura Nichols is a gallery director, arts worker, and advocate for contemporary Indigenous art in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. Currently managing 8 Hele Gallery, she has played a key role in its transformation from Raft Art Space into a vibrant hub for showcasing artists from the central Australian desert and the local community. Azura’s career spans roles at art centres north of Alice Springs and an auction house in Sydney, following a Bachelor of Arts and Advanced Studies from the University of Sydney, majoring in Art History and International Business. Committed to fostering experimental, community-driven practices, Azura is passionate about strengthening the visibility, sustainability, and cultural vitality of the arts in Central Australia.

GORDON MACINDOE

Gordon is an architectural designer and researcher. Born in Japan, he arrived in Mparntwe from Magandjin/Brisbane.