Artist in residence

residency Emerging South Australian artist Olympia Antoniadis shared her skills with residents of kapara residential care home as part of an arts residency. skills blossom residency in arts

The 24-year-old, who studied Fine Arts at the Victorian College of Arts in Melbourne, enjoyed her fi rst residency in an aged care setting and said she found the experience a rewarding one. Each fortnight she brought in botanical sketches and invited residents to illustrate them using watercolour paints. “I love coming here – I can see people getting better and better, and see the confi dence growing,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful experience for me.” Olympia said her Kapara visits also helped her cope with the grief of loss after her sister passed away in 2018.

Olympia Antoniadis enjoyed spending time with residents in her first arts residency at Kapara, Glenelg, in October.

Her exhibition ‘Solace’, held in October at the Hill Smith Gallery in Adelaide, featured fl owers she received as sympathy gifts preserved in her late sister’s sewing studio. Kapara resident Joyce Draper, who grew up in Broken Hill, said she enjoyed her time with Olympia. “I enjoy doing the art – it gives you a peace and contentment from accomplishing something,” she said. Olympia’s work was recognised last year as runnerup in the Belle Magazine Art Start Competition for emerging artists.

“I love coming here – I can see people getting better and better, and see the confidence growing,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful experience for me.”