Our History

In early 2004 a group of parents, artists and friends gathered together to create a vision for a community arts initiative in the Adelaide Hills. What unfolded in the ensuing months was the desire to create an Arts Centre which brought together professionals and members of the public to work on artistic projects which have meaning for the community, and Ink Pot Arts Inc was born. Growth and transformation of the individual through arts engagement is at the centre of the vision, based on a holistic philosophy. There has been a focus on arts practice to foster creativity, enhance wellbeing and to develop a sense of community. With this in mind, our programme has offered festival days as well as workshops and performance projects.

Since our beginning over 4800 children, teenagers and adults have taken part in workshops and productions. We promote local artists and specialise in creating original works across a variety of genres. The participants of our workshop programs (drama, dance-drama, ukulele, choir, circus) perform regularly at community events across the region. We are passionate about offering opportunities for young people, including mentoring and skill building for pursuing a career in the Arts.

Our professional tutors have both teaching and performance experience, thus being able to provide expert guidance for all involved. Workshops have been offered in movement, clowning, circus, singing, drama, dance, physical theatre, storytelling, audition preparation and improvisation. We have a gallery space which enables visual arts exhibitions. Performance projects have ranged from street theatre performances, opera, and intimate devised theatre pieces to large scale in-theatre productions.

The founding Artistic Director Jo-anne Sarre has a Creative Speech and Drama Diploma (from The Harkness Studio, Sydney), is a qualified teacher and in 2009 completed her BA Honours, First Class (Drama) at Flinders University. She has worked across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, China, India, the US and Cnanada as an actor, storyteller, director and workshop facilitator.