By Carol Altmann

There is something very special in the Warrnambool art scene that puts the city on par with a movement happening in places like New York, London, Paris and Switzerland, yet most of us don’t know it.

Artlink Studio, based in the 124-year-old Ellerslie College building in Koroit St, is a hub of creativity for people who have a range of disabilities, be they physical, mental or emotional, and who find expression and healing through art. Artlink provides an open-plan studio space in one of the most beautiful, sun-drenched spaces in town, together with art materials and the opportunity to learn from others.

Significantly, there is also a substantial gallery space with a permanent exhibition of works that are for sale.

In any other major city, this space would be a drawcard as part of what is known as the “outsider” art movement: art that is created by people outside of the formalities of art training.

But while “outsider”, “raw”, “naive” or “brut” art is gathering pace elsewhere, very few people venture up the 12 steps and into the Artlink gallery space outside of special events, such as the Warrnibald portrait prize that has been held (very successfully) for the past two years.

What they are missing is the chance to walk the molasses-coloured floorboards of this glorious venue and see art created from the heart, perhaps by somebody who is working only metres away in the studio space.

Visual artist Jenny Altmann, who has been with Artlink from its inception as Art Options in 2008, believes art allows people with difficulties or disabilities to find a way through.

“Art is so healing. I have used art as therapy myself, so I know how it can work,” she said.

“If you are happy at doing something, then the rest of your body is in good shape.”

“There is a magic that happens here,” adds textile artist Gayle Clark, who is one of four working artists at Artlink.

“It is not just about exhibiting and selling art, but about people being in the moment, making the connections, and finding their art spirit.”

Unlike the Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, California, Artlink is not about art therapy, in terms of having specialist art therapists running the program (although one staff member does have that qualification). Instead, it is about working artists being employed to guide the creative process. That process includes not only visual art, but dance, drama, music and writing.

About 30 people at any one time regularly access Artlink, which comes under the Western District Employment Access umbrella, and Jenny has seen remarkable transformations.

“I remember one young woman who was a survivor of domestic abuse and she was so lacking in confidence when she first came here, she was almost immobilised. Now, she is doing a TAFE course. It can make that sort of difference,” she said.

[Artlink won a Highly Commended award at the recent Warrnambool Business Awards. The gallery space is open 10am-4pm, M-Thurs, 241 Koroit St, Warrnambool.]

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Haunting landscape of Merrang: Ben Fennessy

Baring it all for art: Becky Nevin Berger

Reinvigorating rural remnants: Jon Hayes

Healing nests for a broken heart: Sarah Gubby

Art as medicine: Glenn Morgan

[box] This incredible image of a rollcloud above Ryot St, Warrnambool, was taken by local photographer extraordinaire Robin Sharrock and has gone global. It was also chosen by the Bureau of Meteorology as its January shot for its 2014 calendar: a competition that attracts thousands of entries. Superb. Robin works freelance and can be contacted at: robinsharrock@hotkey.net.au [/box]

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DDCE8D;”] E [/dropcap]ach week we like to celebrate a quiet hero in South-West Victoria – somebody or something that is making a difference, if only a small one.

This week, we have found Warrnambool’s answer to the Gosford Anglican Church, which has been lighting up Facebook with its witty church board postings that are, often, quite political (you can find them on Facebook here).

While not quite as public as Gosford Uniting Church, the Warrnambool Uniting Church, in Koroit St, has been making its views known about the treatment of asylum seekers who turn to Australia for refuge.

A window display at the front of the church chastises both major political parties for their lack of compassion on an issue that, because of the politics being played, deeply divides Australia.

For what it’s worth, we agree with them.

But there is more to the Warrnambool Uniting Church than making statements – they also act to help those in need, even if it is the need for company.

The church holds a Wednesday lunch for anyone to attend, creating a safe, non-judgmental space for people to gather and talk. It helps.

For these things, the Warrnambool Uniting Church and its leaders – Rev Geoff Barker, Rev Malcolm Frazer and Pastor Marjorie Crothers – are our quiet hero for the week.

[box] Our quiet hero will receive a voucher for coffee and cake from this week’s sponsor, Lozzar’s Lounge Cafe, Kepler St, Warrnambool – thankyou for your support, Lozzar’s.[/box]

 Meet some of our other quiet heroes…

Gary Webb – Bidding for the arts

Kylie Thulborn – pushing boundaries

The Drylies and creating art with kids

Susie Alexander fights cancer…and aims for a fun run 

Holden Club helps out

Caring for the environment

Embracing diversity

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] G [/dropcap]iven Kylie Carter works as a master watchmaker, it is surprising she hasn’t been tempted to change her name to Kylie Cartier.

But such a highbrow name change would not be in keeping with Kylie’s down-to-earth approach to her work, which is among a group of highly skilled trades that are becoming harder to find.

Not that Kylie, 35, grew up with a desire to keep an eye on the time: instead, she more or less “fell into” the job after deciding to leave school at 16.

“I wanted to get out of school and work, and this was something that the school (Brauer College, in Warrnambool) put me onto,” she said.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] K [/dropcap]ylie secured an apprenticeship with what was then Hogg’s the Jewellers, in Warrnambool, and spent three years learning from Roger Hogg and attending classes in Melbourne.

During that time, she learnt how to repair watches and clocks using an array of fine tools that require a steady hand and a keen eye.

“I do get tired eyes sometimes, I must admit,” Kylie said.

Kylie has remained with Hoggs, which is now run by Roger’s son, Peter, and operates under the name JAWS (Jewellery and Watch Service) in Koroit St, Warrnambool.

Her work desk is scattered with watches of all shapes and sizes – new, old and very old – that Kylie handles with dexterity.

The microscopic metal parts of a watch are disassembled and reassembled using tweezers and tiny-headed screwdrivers, while watch cases and faces are removed and replaced using special tools that look like they have not changed in decades.

“I actually prefer working with watches to clocks. Clocks are far more complicated,” Kylie said.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] W [/dropcap]hile some jewellers also do watch repairs, there are only three master watchmakers in the district, including, oddly enough, two named Peter Hogg.

And although many people still bring in watches for repair, especially those that have sentimental value, the times, well, they are a changing.

Metal watches with mechanical parts are being replaced by cheap, plastic watches that are usually thrown away once they stop working and there is a new threat on the horizon.

“Some people are apparently not buying watches at all, because they use their mobile phones to check the time,” Kylie said.

Kylie still wears a sturdy, metal watch (a Swiss-made Candino, for the record) and prides herself on being punctual.

“Always, always,” she said, smiling.

[box] Jewellery and Watch Services, 54 Koroit St, Warrnambool. (03) 5562 2831.[/box]

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Murray Simper and the craft of bookbinding

Life as a soul sister

Art as medicine: Glenn Morgan

From Panmure to Dubai: the art of Kathryn Ryan

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] A [/dropcap]t some point in our lives, most of us reflect on whether what we do for a living makes us happy or if we need to take a deep breath and make a change.

For Loretta Riordan and her partner Phil Slessar, that point arrived just over three years ago when Loretta, who had a long career in hospitality, decided she no longer wanted to work for other people, but for herself.

Phil, who came from a background in electric motor repairs, was also ready for a new challenge and doing “something completely different”.

“I was moving from a job where you have very dirty hands, to one where they are very, very clean,” he said with a laugh, extending his fingers for effect.

Together, Loretta and Phil took the plunge and made an offer on a café in Kepler St, Warrnambool that they refurbished and reopened as Lozzar’s Lounge Cafe.

“I had been working ridiculously hard for other people for many years, but I never had the confidence to think that I could open my own place,” Loretta said.

“Finally, I reached the point where I realised that if I didn’t make a move, I would never do it and in the end it all happened very quickly.”

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] P [/dropcap]hil learned the art of being a barista and Loretta expanded her cooking skills to the point where she could make virtually all of the café’s menu range herself, single-handedly, and only source a few items from other suppliers. Front-of-house was taken care of by the very capable Bec Scholz, who just moved on to a new venture last week after three years at Lozzar’s.

The café has established a loyal following for its breakfast and lunch menu which includes sit-down-and-take-your-time items like french toast, homemade muesli, fruit and oat crumble (breakfast), smoked salmon, feta and pea frittata, or a smoked chicken, leek and roast pumpkin risotto (lunch), plus the full range of ‘grab-and-go’ bagels, focaccias, salads and soups.

The sweeter side of things includes a range of plump muffins (raspberry and white chocolate is the house specialty) and delicious cakes (such as blueberry and lemon sour cream cake) paired with one of a large selection of T2 teas that are served in a pot, or a coffee from the ethically responsible Di Bella roasters.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] W [/dropcap]hen it comes to a successful café, however, great food and coffee are only one part of the equation. Great service is equally as important and this is where Lozzar’s steps up.

“I want all of our customers to be noticed, and by that I mean, when they walk in, we say hello, we make sure they feel welcome and comfortable and really looked after,” Loretta said.

The Lozzar’s philosophy is reflected in the inspirational phrases added around the walls, which customers have been known to photograph.

“These sayings reflect my own thinking because I never thought I would ever have my own cafe.  It has been hard work, but when the place is buzzing, when our customers are telling us that the food is great, well, it makes your day. It makes it all worthwhile,” Loretta said.

[box type=”bio”] Lozzar’s Lounge Cafe, 52a Kepler St, Warrnambool. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-lunch. Ph: 55612823. Find them on Facebook here. [/box]

More stories about great cafes in South-West Victoria…

Dropping into one of the Wyton’s

Timboon Railway Shed Distillery

Rocksalt rocks on in Port Fairy

Lido lives up to expectations

Pick a Pickled Pelican

Silver serves coffee gold at Slitti, Port Fairy

Two Tarts a treat in Warrnambool