Onwards Inception
Onwards Gallery and Studios Founder and Director Brett Piva.
With five years glancing just over the horizon, it’s interesting to learn about Onwards Gallery and Studios current existence, surviving during a pandemic and more importantly, where it all began.
A staunch advocate for the arts in Newcastle, Brett Piva launched the renowned arts festival MAKE IT-MADE IT Conference in 2015. This shared satellite arts events across Newcastle and delivered a full day of creative talks from artists throughout Australia while inviting several international speakers to share their stories in Newcastle for over five years. Nothing of this level in shared knowledge in art and design industries had ever been achieved for Newcastle’s creative community.
Arts festival MAKE IT -MADE IT Conference 2018 retrospective. Guest speakers including, Lucas Grogan (Newcastle), Katire Brown (Wanganui NZ), Michael Bell (Newcastle), Emily Devers (Brisbane), Sha’an D’Anthes (Sydney) and many more.
Over 5 years, the festival invited an incredibly diverse and talented line up of artists, designers and makers including Sally Bourke, Blak Douglas, Alison Jackson, Michael Bell, Lucas Grogan, Braddon Snape, Georgia Hill, Hugh Altschwager, Sha’an Danthes, Trevor Dickinson, Claire Foxton, James Dive, Marine Coutroutsios, Jono Everrett and so many more. 2019 saw the greatest event yet, with record attendance and a huge line up of elite keynote speakers.
Onwards Director Brett Piva hosting the 2019 Arts Festival MAKE IT - MADE IT Conference,
Australian artist Blak Douglas 2019 MAKE IT - MADE IT Conference keynote speaker .
Onwards Gallery and Studios Beginnings
To continue this pursuit of shared knowledge, Piva aimed to create an environment that was beneficial towards local creatives and shared a similar community to MAKE IT-MADE IT Conference. A unique studio that welcomed both digital and hands on processes for artists, designers and image makers while inviting members of the community to share their work through exhibitions and events.
In late 2017, Piva acquired a lease for a small run down garage to begin renovations on the first Onwards space. After several months of work and expenses renovating the garage, a crew of 10 creatives soon filled all available desks and creative spaces. Onwards was born.
Half way through renovating the deserted garage in Islington. Months of hard work and expenses were to follow.
The first Onwards Studio after a long list of renovations transforming a disused garage into a truly unique creative workspace.
An eclectic group of painters, photographers, animators, writers, designers, illustrators and print makers filled this space with positivity and an eagerness to create great work. It’s here true friendships were formed and many still collaborate professionally and continue to engage outside of the studio environment.
The diverse exhibitions, rare performances and arts gatherings that began in this first space for Onwards will always be remembered and looked back on as great memories.
Funk band SHRIMP performing at the arts festival MAKE IT - MADE IT Conference after party hosted by Onwards Studio in 2018.
Things quickly changed as our environment began to be overrun. Months of constant interruptions from trades delivered electrical outages, plumbing leaks, continuous mess in our workspace along with construction rubbish causing many project delays and stress. Access to work in the studio became very limited. With all the interruptions being for a new business opening on top of Onwards that would be of a very similar framework, it was time to move out.
Brett Piva at the entrance of the original Onwards Studio in Islington.
A better environment for Onwards Gallery and Studios.
In just over a year in the space, Piva acquired a more accommodating and trusting lease for a new warehouse environment close to four times the size of the original. With much more space, Onwards now shares larger studios for over 20 members, a contemporary art gallery and performance space with various breakaway rooms and unique areas for all members to work in.
In just three years at the new warehouse, Onwards Gallery is now a Newcastle art space that has shared over 60 solo and group exhibitions, Dozens of pop-up arts events, and has shared support for over 80 artists, makers, designers and performers in more difficult times during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Onwards has evolved into a space that is recognised for being welcoming, supportive and inclusive for many in Newcastle’s creative community.
Onwards has become a space that share support for many in need. Like the 2020 Art Mini-Mart, founded to support Newcastle’s arts community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shared Industry knowledge and Mentoring
With his extensive career throughout Australia and abroad, much can be shared from Piva’s 20 years experience as a visual artist, muralist and designer. Sharing his knowledge with Onwards members, they continue to grow from part-time enthusiasts to proficient artists that are both recognised and respected in Newcastle and across Australia.
Piva continues to share knowledge and assistance to a wider community by welcoming both established and emerging artists to exhibit at Onwards Gallery. A platform that is designed to specifically support artists by sharing options of giving them 100% of sales.
Brett Piva working in his studio at Onwards.
Through his own practice, the arts festival MAKE IT-MADE IT Conference and Onwards Gallery and Studios, Piva has championed knowledge sharing and mentoring to established and emerging artists for over a decade.
With the extent of Piva’s dedication towards forging opportunities for local creatives in three years at the new warehouse, you can be sure to expect more exciting opportunities to be shared in 2022.
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