This year is the 13^th annual SWELL Sculpture Festival, for people who might be new to the coast or have been living under a rock, can you tell us what Swell is all about?
You need to see and experience SWELL Sculpture Festival to know what everyone is talking about. First time Swellers are always blown away by the quality of the sculptures and the messages around each installation. SWELL is definitely a unique cultural invention and one that is dedicated to inspiring, amusing, challenging and uplifting the imaginations and hearts of people through high quality outdoor sculptures, which in turn enriches the experience and nurtures new and established artists. The exhibition is free, open all hours with a display of sculptures revealing a new verve as they are lit up under the southern sky. The exhibition spans from Currumbin Rock to Elephant Rock and the whole beach comes alive, it’s awesome! Where else can you run around an art exhibition barefoot, swim, hang out with friends, listen to live music, enjoy delicious eats from local cafes and participate in being at one with the sculptures on the Gold Coast?

What does SWELL Sculpture Festival have in store for 2015?
Over the 10 days, experience the incredible sculptures, enjoy twilight walks, informative artist talks, discover new perspectives, wander through the Swell Smalls Gallery and participate in artist run masterclasses and children’s workshops. On the weekend there is a fabulous line-up of musicians performing on the Avalon music stage, gourmet delights from local cafes on The Green, busking, children’s sculpture workshops, twilight walks and yoga, to name a few. We have a fantastic program of events online and our official program translates the artists intention behind the work.

Let’s take it back a bit, how did the first SWELL Sculpture Festival come about?
We were fearless, passionate and dedicated to establishing a free, outdoor sculpture exhibition on Currumbin beach, with the vision to profile artists and exhibit sculpture in public spaces. SWELL was established and we forged our way to getting art out there and accessible to the public. I work with many amazing people, co-director Ruth Della and our team are devoted to the incredible task of bringing the exhibition together each year. We build on each year’s success and it’s a balance of nurturing and respecting what the artist’s visions are and working within our changing environments. With overwhelming community support and a solid team, it’s been a huge undertaking but it’s is incredible to be around such creative, awesome, passionate people.

SWELL has been known for some fairly out there pieces in the past, what’s one that will be eternally etched in your memory?
Each and every sculpture imprints on my memory, one artist in particular I enjoyed working closely with is Lynne Adams. Her sculpture Flower Power in 2009 and The Poppies Project for this year’s ANZAC Day, were amazing because they both created installations out of every day objects. The fundamental messaging was around environmental awareness, consumerism and working within the landscape. I was personally enriched by the site-specific aspects of the work, the engagement of school students who were involved and the complexity of the simplicity.

Are there any local artists you have your eye on?
Yes, many I have met and the ones that are still thinking about their art.

What’s your blue-sky dream for the festival?
Strengthening the procurement of public art in urban, coastal and hinterland landscapes and expanding the exhibition to regional or remote areas. Artworks will reflect true cultural stories of the place; they will be relevant and will encourage a response. Taking SWELL global.

What keeps you motivated to keep doing what you do?
The challenge of turning ideas into reality.

What’s the best advice you’ve received in your career or life?
Live your life everyday, be in the moment. Be kind.

How would you diagnose the health of the city’s arts scene right now?
Breaking new boundaries.

You’ve achieved so much in your career already and have been awarded the Gold Coast City Council Australia Day Cultural Achievement Award in 2013, what are you most proud of?
SWELL’s legacy. Making art available to everyone. Advocating the value and role of artists and their artworks, giving artists a voice, building and strengthening community engagement, offering learning and development and inspiring a creative future for our society.

Any words of wisdom for aspiring artists?
Just do it … Get your ideas together, big or small, write it down, draw them up and start creating … Anyone can have great ideas … Art is courageous, embrace your creative side and the rest takes care of itself. Look into your community; the support and networks are all around you. 

If people can only make it to one event as part of SWELL this year, which should it be?
Be at one with the sculptures.

Only a Gold Coast local would know … When the wind blows northerly watch out for blue bottles and cold water.

FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up …  Cruising on bikes along the ocean way, stopping at different cafes, meeting up with friends, diving into the ocean at the end of the ride.
Relax …  At home, hanging out with my boys.
Indulge …  Boating on the Broadwater.
Dine …  Mexicali in Nobby Beach, great vibes and great food.
Be inspired …  Dust Temple gallery, where ideas flow.