Jess finds a creative new role

ART is the only thing Jess Meggs has ever wanted to do and she can’t believe she is now turning her passion into a career.

It took a while for Jess to find her niche. “I was always creative and knew that I loved art but after finishing school I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do,” she said.

Three years later, Jess enrolled in a Certificate III in Visual Arts at South West TAFE and loved it so much she went on to complete a Diploma of Visual Art.

Since completing her course she has been working at the Warrnambool Art Gallery, working on a solo exhibition and collaborating on community arts projects.

“I’ve worked on a number of community arts projects involving high school VCAL students, primary school students, community groups and TAFE students associated with Brophy, where my task was to facilitate a piece of public artwork created by the students.

“I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of this and I was also invited to create a mural in Patloch Lane, off Liebig Street, working on themes collaborated by other local artists,” she said.

Jess said studying at SWTAFE had given her the confidence to pursue different projects and work in her dream job.

“I loved my time at TAFE and it was amazing to be around people who were interested in the same thing.

“If I could offer any advice it would be to take every opportunity that’s offered because it really is a head start in your chosen field,” she said.

Jess said that while she would ultimately love to be an art gallery curator one day, she was loving her work in front-of-house at the Warrnambool Art Gallery.

“I’m learning what it is to be part of a gallery team and what is required of each role. I just want to work anywhere in the creative industry,” she said.