Connection Arts Space
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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.
Meet our Committee.
We love what we do, and we do it with passion.
Nyalat Pel kun
Human Resource Co-ordinator
(She/Her)
Nyalat is a proud Nuer woman and Human Resource professional with 3+ years of experience in the Non-for-profit sector. Nyalat joined Connection Art Space (CAS) in 2019 as the Human Resource Coordinator. She believes that the best part of joining CAS is supporting and watching volunteers as they learn, grow and step into their best version of themselves. Another bounce of volunteering for CAS is discovering the many amazing eateries within Dandenong
(Thank you, Andrew + Gen).
Human Resource Co-ordinator
(She/Her)
Nyalat is a proud Nuer woman and Human Resource professional with 3+ years of experience in the Non-for-profit sector. Nyalat joined Connection Art Space (CAS) in 2019 as the Human Resource Coordinator. She believes that the best part of joining CAS is supporting and watching volunteers as they learn, grow and step into their best version of themselves. Another bounce of volunteering for CAS is discovering the many amazing eateries within Dandenong
(Thank you, Andrew + Gen).
Andrew Duong
Grants Co-ordinator
(He/Him)
I'm an artist living on Bunurong land. I've completed my Bachelors in Business and Visual Arts, and Fine Art (Honours), and I've had the fortune of being part of CAS since it started in 2015. I'm passionate about creating arts opportunities in the south-east and collaborating with creatives in this amazing community that I feel most connected to through football, family and art.
Grants Co-ordinator
(He/Him)
I'm an artist living on Bunurong land. I've completed my Bachelors in Business and Visual Arts, and Fine Art (Honours), and I've had the fortune of being part of CAS since it started in 2015. I'm passionate about creating arts opportunities in the south-east and collaborating with creatives in this amazing community that I feel most connected to through football, family and art.
Aisha Farotan
Marketing Co-ordinator
(She/Her)
Marketing Co-ordinator
(She/Her)
Sam Kariotis
Programs Co-ordinator
(He/They)
I'm a sculpture and collage artist from Naarm/Melbourne with over 5 years experience as a practicing artist, with a love of niche folklore, religion and theatrics. My work is heavily inspired by my 13 years growing up in a private Catholic all girls school, as well as my fixation on various forms of Paganism and Catholicism.
I've got a BA Fine Art under my belt, and am also currently studying my graduate diploma of arts and cultural management. I've been a curator and program manager for just over 3 years, and I love bringing artists together to create interesting conversations through their works, and I have a deep love for accessibility and sustainability through local art initiatives. CAS is such an important space to me and I can't wait to co-ordinate more great exhibitions!
Programs Co-ordinator
(He/They)
I'm a sculpture and collage artist from Naarm/Melbourne with over 5 years experience as a practicing artist, with a love of niche folklore, religion and theatrics. My work is heavily inspired by my 13 years growing up in a private Catholic all girls school, as well as my fixation on various forms of Paganism and Catholicism.
I've got a BA Fine Art under my belt, and am also currently studying my graduate diploma of arts and cultural management. I've been a curator and program manager for just over 3 years, and I love bringing artists together to create interesting conversations through their works, and I have a deep love for accessibility and sustainability through local art initiatives. CAS is such an important space to me and I can't wait to co-ordinate more great exhibitions!
Keelan Lang
Finance Co-ordinator
(He/Him)
Kia ora, I’m a Finance Coordinator with a fresh Certificate IV in accounting and bookkeeping. I’m all about making the numbers add up while keeping things chill and easy for the team. People say I’m approachable, reliable, and not afraid to have a laugh while getting the mahi (work) done.
I like to think I have good communication, a bit of common sense, and mean as Excel skills. I’m a big fan of supporting the arts and the community, and always keen to learn more along the way!
Previous Committee Members:
2024 - Present Sam Kariotis, Andrew Duong, Nyalat Pel Kun, Marcel Renardi, Fathiah Raihan, Aisha Farotan, Keelan Lang
2021 - 2023 Kyla Sun, Ivan Wong, Larra Juab, Jessica Tanto, Sam Kariotis, Andrew Duong, Nyalat Pel Kun, Paulina Zamorano, Marcel Renardi, Justine Moguis
2020 - 2021 Andrew Duong, Gen Townsend, Larra Juab, Justine Moguis
2019 - 2020 Andrew Duong, Natalie Artis (Co-founder), Ciara Lynch (Co-founder), Ainslie Peverell, Gen Townsend, Daniel Kerrison, Vicki Jacgung, Tash Brennfleck
2017 - 2018
Andrew Duong, Tahlia Megele, Daniel Kerrison, Mohamed Chamas, Aysha Tea, Isabelle Nguyen, Harveer Dhaliwal
2015 - 2016
Co-Founders: Mehdi Jaghhuri, Andrew Duong, Gen Townsend, Michelle Clarke, Tahlia Megele, Daniel Kerrison, Mohamed Chamas. With thanks to Business Development mentor, Sophia Kostava.