What happens when an ensemble built on radical equity reimagines theatre and film? Meet Second Echo Ensemble and their recent work, Relache: The Last Dance on Earth.

Second Echo Ensemble is a unique arts organisation built on radical equity, in Hobart, Tasmania. In this episode, we talk with Creative Director Kelly Drummond Cawthon and members of the ensemble about their their 20th anniversary celebrations, including their theatrical production and film, Relache: The Last Dance On Earth.

Hear how SEE redefines what inclusive arts can be — and discover stories from the artists themselves.

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Thank you to the extended Second Echo family and the artists who feature in this episode (in order of appearance):

Kelly Drummond Cawthon;

Elise Romaszko;

Julia Drouhin;

William Webster;

Lily Alcock;

Michael Fortescue.

Their latest work The Adventures of Peacock, Chicken and the Pony they Rode Upon opens at the Sydney Opera House this month and the Theatre Royal, Hobart next month.

Tickets available now here.

In this episode, I revisit my conversation with Hobart-based painter Maggie Jeffries, who reflects on her creative path, shaped by childhood wonder, night-time focus, and a deep commitment to disability advocacy. A rising force in the Tasmanian art scene, Maggie shares how volunteering at Creative Growth in Oakland, California, transformed her relationship to both art and care.

We explore her magical painting practice — rich in memory, nature, and detail — and how she balances this with a day job supporting artists of all abilities. Maggie opens up about the emotional and practical tensions of working two roles in the arts, the value of feedback from her creative community, and how residencies and prizes have helped her grow as an artist.

This is a must-listen for those interested in the intersections of creativity and caregiving, the power of quiet persistence, and the ways art can offer both escape and responsibility.

Themes: disability arts and advocacy, whimsical painting, Creative Growth Oakland, Tasmanian artists, emerging painters, night-time creativity, art residencies, artist support roles, community and care in art, Maggie Jeffries artist

🎙️ Connect Curate Create is a podcast about creative courage, community, and place-based storytelling in regional Australia.

In this episode, I revisit my conversation with artist and academic Dr Tony Curran about his vibrant abstract art, shaped by a deep interest in psychology, perception, and digital technology. We explore how Tony’s “attention machines” challenge the pace of modern life and invite a more mindful, immersive engagement with the world.

Tony reflects on the intersections between art and academia, the financial challenges of sustaining a creative career, and the collaborative energy behind his recent Collision exhibition. We also discuss his role as a mentor, and the ways he supports emerging artists to develop their own practices.

Themes: abstract painting, creative practice, psychology and art, digital attention, mentoring, regional artists, art and academia

🎙️ Connect Curate Create is a podcast about creative courage, community, and place-based storytelling in regional Australia.