The artists meet weekly in a supported studio program run by Pinarc Disability Support Services. 

A month-long exhibition by Funky Turtle Artists opened at Gallery on Sturt on Saturday.

Funky Turtles program co-ordinator Paige Duggan said the exhibition was about each artist exploring their practice. 

The exhibition features works developed over the last 12 months by seven practicing artists; Rodney Donovan-Clancy, James Adams, April Brooks, Gabriella Crosara, Lilliya Howard, David Johnston and Andrew van Gaans.

“I think the program really encourages them to explore, just like any artist in the community is hoping to explore and evolve naturally as an artist,” Duggan said.

“I hope when people come to see the artworks they don’t come with preconceived ideas too strongly. The idea is that you come and see the art, it’s not about disability.

“It’s about challenging themselves and hoping to create something other people can enjoy and reflect on and gain something from.”

A prodigious body of work by Funky Turtle Artists has been “whittled down” to a select few for the art group’s current exhibition. 

“They’ve been working hard on all different mediums and themes and exploring materials,” Duggan said.

“We’ve selected a few because they have so many after a year. They’re all really varied. They all have their own tastes and strengths as artists.”

The exhibition includes digital art, paintings, drawing and sculpture. 

“The work is really varied, there’s everything from quite complex abstract works that are quite fluid and expressive through to digital artworks based on characters that the artists have come up with.

“There’s drawings of someone expressing something that they’ve been through that week.”

Funky Turtle Artists’ works will be exhibited at Gallery on Sturt, ​421 Sturt St, Ballarat, until July 31. 

The gallery is open Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. 

Entry is free and all works are available for purchase. Freight can be arranged. For more information email info@galleryonsturt.com.au or contact Gallery on Sturt on 5331 7011.