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Acknowledgement of Country
The Connection Arts Space Gallery is located at 1 Walker Street, Dandenong, on the unceded lands of the Woi-Wurrung and Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and Elders – Past and present of the Kulin Nation on which we connect and create.

Connection Arts Space recognises Aboriginal connection to material and creative practice on these lands for more than 60,000 years and First Nation peoples’ enduring presence and knowledge that continues to nurture the Land, Water and Space we share.

Mark

WOT x CAS x AIR is back for 2025 — and our EOI is now open!

WOT x CAS x AIR is fundamentally diverse, championing marginalised artists and art-making and inviting new approaches to creative practice. The AIR is centred on the experience of being ‘Way Over There’ in the South-East, reimagining where and how creativity emerges.

Want to be an artist in residence with WOT x CAS?

This year, we’re supporting artists from the South-East to be in residence at studio spaces in Dandenong and Casey in September-November.

Who we’re looking for:

- Artists living in the South-East
- Artists identifying as Black / Indigenous / Person of Colour / Migrant / Refugee or Asylum Seeker
- Artists of any age
- Artists who are just beginning their practice, early in their journey or lacking space/opportunity to work on their art

This year, we’re offering dedicated spots for:

- Artists identifying as Queer / Trans / Non-Binary / Gender-Diverse (Queer Artists in Residence program)
- Artists with mothers, aunties, nieces and/or elders connected to an intergenerational practice of art-making/ craft (Aunties in Residence program)

Send an expression of interest now. EOIs close 11:59PM on Sunday 3 August.

Apply here
.



Meet our previous Artists in Residence from 2024:





Joshinder Chaggar

                                
A dancer, choreographer, and filmmaker, Joshinder’s work blends intercultural identity and storytelling. She has performed globally and is now creating her first feature film celebrating older women and the power of community through dance.




Mahya Amiri

Known as Orsi Artworks, Mahya creates vibrant pop art inspired by her Afghan and Hazara heritage. Her work portrays Afghan women in daily life, celebrating their freedom and the beauty of Afghan culture through traditional designs and embroidery patterns.






Rew

A South Sudanese performer and multidisciplinary artist, Rew's work spans music, film, theatre, and textiles. He crafts stories of love and life, aiming to tug on untouched heartstrings and spark understanding.








Marna Ruach

A South Sudanese artist specializing in game design and 3D character modeling, Marna brings diverse perspectives to the gaming industry. Her work also spans comics and community-focused projects, blending creativity with technical innovation.







Luna Liu

An emerging artist and art educator, Luna works across drawing, sculpture, and installation. Using graphite and natural materials, her art explores the unnoticed and overlooked, inviting viewers into a dialogue with the unseen.


Maz Hossain

A Bangladeshi freelance writer exploring themes of diaspora, identity, and love, Maz’s work highlights underrepresented South Asian narratives. She uses her voice to spark meaningful conversations about the experiences of first-generation migrants.


















Deepa Mani & Sheena Chundee

Deepa Mani, Artistic Director of Chandralaya School of Dance, brings over 30 years of expertise in Bharathanatyam and contemporary dance, using movement to connect people to their heritage.
Sheena Chundee, a multidisciplinary artist, blends ballet, choreography, and sound engineering, with performances for The Royal Ballet and inspiration from Pina Bausch.

navera ari

A dynamic artist with roots in Cairo and Sudanese heritage, navera ari (she/they) uses acting, writing, movement, and creative direction to tell stories inspired by African and African-diasporic culture. Her work explores human connections and authenticity.





AIR24 is more than an exhibition; it's a celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Thank you for being part of the journey.