firstdraft
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Directors

Julia Mendel

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Chairperson

Julia Mendel is a creative producer whose work is focused on socially engaged practices and community led projects. She is currently Public Programs Producer at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Previously she held the position of Community Engagement Producer at Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), Parramatta, where she initiated the All Girl Electronic program for Western Sydney female, transgender and non-binary youth, offering training and mentorship in electronic music production. From 2015-2017 she co-directed the Critical Animals Creative Research Symposium as part of This is Not Art, Newcastle. In 2012 Julia graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship (Honours).

Past Firstdraft Directors
Geirthana Nandakumaran
2023–24 Co-Director, 2023 Treasurer
Geirthana Nandakumaran
2023–24 Co-Director, 2023 Treasurer

Geirthana Nandakumaran is an artist and arts worker, whose practice investigates liminal identity, relating her environments through spatial and cultural investigations of selfhood, and Sri Lankan Tamil-Australian cultures.

2023–24 Co-Director, 2023 Treasurer
Olivia Welch
2023-2024 Co-Chair
Olivia Welch
2023-2024 Co-Chair

Olivia Welch is Exhibitions Manager at Museums & Galleries of NSW, developing touring exhibitions and associated sector development.

2023-2024 Co-Chair
Brian Obiri-Asare
2022 Co-Director
Brian Obiri-Asare
2022 Co-Director

Brian Obiri-Asare is a creative writer of Ghanaian descent, with a particular focus on engaging with the complexities and contradictions of a multiracial society.

2022 Co-Director
Elyse Goldfinch
2022–23 Co-Director, 2022–23 Co-Chairperson
Elyse Goldfinch
2022–23 Co-Director, 2022–23 Co-Chairperson

Elyse Goldfinch is an arts curator and writer with a career focus on advocacy, collaboration, exchange and support for artists across generations.

2022–23 Co-Director, 2022–23 Co-Chairperson
Zoe Theodore
2022–23 Treasurer, 2022-23 Co-Chair, 2024 Treasurer
Zoe Theodore
2022–23 Treasurer, 2022-23 Co-Chair, 2024 Treasurer

Zoe Theodore is a Sydney-based curator, producer and writer, with a particular interest in the relationship between performance, choreography and the gallery.

2022–23 Treasurer, 2022-23 Co-Chair, 2024 Treasurer
Laura Couttie
2021–22 Co-Director, 2021–22 Chairperson
Laura Couttie
2021–22 Co-Director, 2021–22 Chairperson

Laura Couttie is an arts manager, writer and curator. Over the past ten years Laura has worked in creative, administrative and management roles in a variety of galleries and arts organisations.

2021–22 Co-Director, 2021–22 Chairperson
Holly Farrell
2021–22 Co-Director
Holly Farrell
2021–22 Co-Director

Holly Farrell is a Newcastle-based creative producer, with extensive experience coordinating multidisciplinary arts festivals and community led projects.

2021–22 Co-Director
Dennis Golding
2021 Co-Director
Dennis Golding
2021 Co-Director

Dennis Golding is a Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist from the north west of NSW, born and raised in Sydney.

2021 Co-Director
June Golland
2021–22 Co-Director
June Golland
2021–22 Co-Director

June Golland is a Central West NSW-based artist working across sculpture, installation and textiles. She is a founding member of WAYOUT artist collective, developing and delivering professional opportunities for regional artists.

2021–22 Co-Director
M. Sunflower
2021–22 Co-Director
M. Sunflower
2021–22 Co-Director

M. Sunflower is a culturally diverse Australian artist who identifies as living with disabilities. She is founder and curating contributor of Off The Wall Gallery, Sydney, an outdoor and online exhibiting initiative centred on creating opportunities for marginalised artists, including those living with physical and mental disability.

2021–22 Co-Director
PastFirstdraft2019–20 Co-Director, 2019–20 Chairperson