Local artists Kat Pengelly and Suzanne Kalk have turned the backspace arts venue in Camp Street into an experimental design studio where they are creating clothing which can be worn as art pieces.

Members of the public are invited to visit them and witness the creative process and to join them at a celebration at the end of the residency.

Examples of the wearable art which Kat and Suzanne have already created are a dress made of pant patterns and a body stocking sprouting tree like roots. Visitors to the backspace arts venue will see sketches and samples of ideas, a frenzy of fabric and many mannequins sporting odd adornments. 

Kat and Suzanne are both multi-skilled professional artists with many years of experience in the Arts Industry. Kat has undertaken numerous artist in residencies for Council, community groups and schools.

This year Kat is focusing on creating her own fashion label which will be launched at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on the June 25. Suzanne lectures at the University of Ballarat Arts Academy teaching costume and set design. She also established The Village Festival in 2005 with her husband Stuart Vaskess and business partner Ian Pidd. An old world carnivale appeal is evoked by The Village that showcases cutting edge contemporary arts throughout Victoria and Tasmania.

They will be available between 12noon and 1pm daily between Tuesday 26 and Friday 29 April for the members of the public to visit and discuss their work call.

The closing celebration will take place as a free public event on Friday 29 April between 3pm and 4.30pm. It will consist of an Artists’ Talk and Parade. Refreshments will be served.

The residency has been hosted by the City of Ballarat’s Arts and Cultural Development Unit, which makes the backspace available to artists, curators and performers, giving them the opportunity to exhibit or perform in a professionally supported and program. Jade Smithard of Mojo Professional Photography is documenting the residency.