Inspiring a Community to Reconnect with their Inner Artist

By Shanelle Schick

Aphrodite Art School and Beltera are the creative businesses of Jules Holland. Creativity oozes from Jules as soon as you meet her and you will often find her in a local café doing her craft.

Aphrodite Art School offers a variety of art workshops on the coast from glassware painting, paint and sip and Jules is keen to see everyone embrace their inner creative side. Collaborating with local businesses to bring together art, beautiful food and great coffee is a passion of hers.

Beltera is the hat label of this artistic woman. Jules makes completely customised, high quality felt hats. All her hats are completely handmade and are designed to last several lifetimes. Jules personalises each hat with beautiful embroidery giving them a feminine touch and uniquely setting them apart from anything else available on the market. Having studied millinery and learning the art of hat making she uses her skills to create these works of art.

Many of us were told when we were younger that we weren’t creative and that has carried on into our adult lives. However, art and creativity help bring us back into our body. During her workshops, Jules encourages everyone to just ‘do their own thing’ and embrace their creativity and individuality, rather than ‘paint by numbers’.

A Park Ranger for 6 years in Central Queensland, the local bushland has been the source of much of Jules’ inspiration over the years. A love for our local surroundings has led her to offer a ‘Paint and Hike Workshop’ on Great Keppel Island this month. Jules is very excited about bringing these two worlds together where participants will have the opportunity to explore the bushlands of what’s on our doorstep and use the scenery as a background to inspire the artist within.

With the end of the year creeping up on us rather quickly, now is a great time to make plans for a creative Christmas Party with your work colleagues or friends. Jules is now taking bookings and these will sure to fill up quickly, so get in fast!

You can find out more information aboutJules and her upcoming workshops on herFacebook page Aphrodite Art School.

Pic supplied by Jules Holland

Pic supplied by Jules Holland