cofa talks
Yes We Can: Artists Taking the Initiative
Penelope Benton, Amy Griffiths and Jane Naylor
speak at the college of fine arts, UNSW
WHEN WHERE
6.30 pm College of Fine Arts, UNSW
Tuesday April 7th Cnr Oxford Street & Greens Rd,
Paddington, Sydney, NSW, 2021
Main Lecture Theatre, EG02
Many creative people have extensive experience in developing
strategies to deal with a shortage of money or other resources;
taking the initiative is business as usual. So a recession does
not necessarily mean opportunities dry up, instead it can be a
chance to reconfigure; to work out creative solutions in finding
ways to exhibit work. Penelope Benton, Amy Griffiths and Jane
Naylor discuss how artists can take the initiative.
Penelope Benton is a photographic artist, curator, arts
administrator and COFA alumni. On top of running Arc@COFA,
the local student organisation, she has just completed a two
year term on the Board of Directors at Sydney’s longest running
ARI, Firstdraft Gallery. In the last year, Benton and four other
women have converted an empty inner-west warehouse into
The Red Rattler, an artist and activist run space with an eco-plan.
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS  |  T HE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Phone 9385 068 4 Email cofa@unsw.edu. au Web w w w.cofa.unsw.edu. au
WHO COST
Penelope Benton Free and open to the public
Amy Griffiths
Jane Naylor
Amy Griffiths is currently undertaking a Master of Art
Administration Honours at COFA and her thesis is titled, ‘The
Systemisation of Australian Artist Run Initiatives’. Formerly, she
was the gallery manager of Sydney ARI, Chalk Horse. Currently,
Griffiths works in the marketing and communications department
at COFA. In addition, she works freelance, managing artists,
occasionally teaching art to primary school students, and at
times writing for various publications.
Jane Naylor describes herself as an Independent Art Tactician.
She holds the titles of Administrative Branch Manager of
The Ekphrastic Agency, (a free art service which conducts
‘customisations’ in non gallery venues), the Local Area Network
Administrator of Snack Art (vending machines which work as
alternative art galleries) and the Operations Research Director of
The Leichhardt Academy of Style and Health. Naylor is currently
undertaking her PhD in Fine Arts at COFA.