About Concepts & Practices

Kick-start your next creative project at Concepts & Practices with Dr Kellie O’Dempsey

The Refinery presents Concepts & Practices, a two-day short program for recent graduates, emerging and self-taught visual artists.

Facilitated by renowned artist and educator Dr Kellie O’Dempsey, this program is designed to build strong, sustainable practices and propel your ideas into action. With insights from guest artists, you’ll gain fresh perspectives and new directions for your practice.

7 - 8 March 2025

The Program

This short program will help you:

Develop an action plan to bring your next creative project to life
Strengthen your critical thinking skills to deepen your practice.

Through group and individual consultations, you'll refine how you articulate your work, process, and ambitions while exploring the "how" and "why" behind your practice. Together, we’ll unpack meaning and examine your work’s relevance in both contemporary and historical contexts, all in a safe, collaborative space.

Program Facilitator

Queensland-based creative and producer, Dr Kellie O’Dempsey, works across the arts and cultural sector as a research-based practitioner, educator and project developer. Kellie’s work explores the potential for public and private spaces to generate shared experiences of transformation and wonder. Delivering solo and collaborative projects and programs in both regional and metropolitan areas, from the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) to Townsville and the Sunshine Coast, Kellie’s approach is diverse, flexible, professional and engaged. Kellie is an active practitioner and engaged educator with vast experience in delivering programs to audiences, students and creatives at various stages of practice and development. Kellie has broad networks and extensive knowledge of the art and design industry. Through her practice, production, collaborations and mentorship she adeptly guides the next creative generation and creates opportunity for creativity and culture to thrive.

Photo: Louis Lim - Redlands Art Gallery 2024, image courtesy of Kellie O’Dempsey.

Event Details

When: Friday 7 & Saturday 8 March, 10am - 4pm

Where: Sub Tropic Studio, 23 Cooma Tce, Caloundra, 4551

Cost: $160 for SCCA members (insert access code at checkout receive member pricing),
$200 for non members

What to bring:

Lunch
Laptop or tablet to take notes
Five print-outs of your work to reference during discussions. This will help you engage in meaningful critique and articulate your ideas.

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