About Active Art
About Active Art
Founded in 2018, Active Art began in the quiet suburbs of Mount Martha, Victoria, and now calls the stunning South Coast of New South Wales home.
At its core, Active Art is about connection, expression, and wellbeing. We offer Art Therapy and counselling for individuals, groups, and organisations, as well as a wide range of creative services including:
Art workshops for all ages and abilities
Corporate events and team-building experiences
Art & Sip sessions for relaxed, social creativity
School wellbeing workshops with a strong focus on mental health and emotional wellbeing
Professional development for educators and parents on topics such as understanding behaviour, writing support plans, and effective classroom management
Meet Ness – Founder & Art Therapist
With a background in education as a P–12 teacher in Mildura and the Northern Territory, Ness’s journey into Art Therapy began with a deep desire to better understand the behaviours she witnessed in the classroom. She knew every student had a story — reasons behind their actions, emotions, and ways of interacting with the world.
In her teaching years, especially with students who spoke English as a second, third, or even fourth language, Ness discovered the quiet power of art as a universal language. Simply offering pencils and paper opened new pathways for communication, trust, and understanding. Art became a bridge — lifting tension, breaking down barriers, and allowing students to express who they truly were.
That experience became the foundation of Active Art: a space where people can safely explore, express, and connect — through creativity, compassion, and care.
After relocating interstate, raising a young family, and establishing Active Art, Ness continued her work in the wellbeing space by joining a local organisation where she formally became a Behaviour Specialist. Once again, she found herself returning to art as a powerful therapeutic tool — using creative expression to build trust, foster relationships, and better understand the individuals she supported.
Balancing work and family life, Ness began offering community wellbeing workshops, integrating art as a gentle, accessible way for people to explore emotions, manage stress, and reconnect with themselves.
It soon became clear that this path needed to be explored more deeply. Ness was inspired to formally study Art Therapy, driven by a desire to truly understand the depth of its impact and how to use it safely and effectively to support others. Taking the leap into this field has been life-changing, and Ness couldn’t be more grateful for the journey — or for the opportunity to share the healing power of art with others.
Before founding Active Art, Ness worked in a variety of impactful roles within the Northern Territory Department of Education, including Indigenous Mentor, Restorative Practices Officer, Crisis Prevention Intervention Facilitator, Inclusion Online Facilitator, and Behaviour Advisor. These experiences deepened her understanding of trauma-informed practice, cultural responsiveness, and the importance of connection in education and wellbeing.
In 2018, while navigating life as a mother of three children under five, Ness was inspired to channel her passion for art and creativity into something meaningful for her community. Active Art was born from a desire to empower families to create together — using art as a way to connect, unwind, and support emotional growth during the often-overwhelming early years of parenting.
Ness’s journey continues to evolve, shaped by a deep passion for creativity, connection, and mental health. She finds immense fulfilment in working one-on-one with clients and is always energised by the opportunity to facilitate community programs, creative workshops, and school-based mental health forums.
As an Art Therapist, counsellor, and facilitator, Ness works with individuals of all ages and abilities, thoughtfully designing sessions and programs tailored to the unique needs of each group or individual. Her warm, inclusive approach makes art accessible to everyone — whether for expression, healing, or simply the joy of creating.
The support, encouragement, and heartfelt feedback she continues to receive have been incredibly humbling — and have only deepened her commitment to this work. Ness is especially excited to soon launch the Active Art School Program, bringing even more creative wellbeing opportunities to students and school communities.