Page 24 - Port Douglas Magazine 32

PHOTO: Karlie Brady

MEET THE MAKERS artisans then it is essential that they can
show us that they work closely with
Despite her many interests, Donna’s love of
art had always been at her core. With the them, to oversee their wages and working
need for original artwork in the store and conditions.
her family’s encouragement, Donna has “We are also conscious to select pieces that
now returned to the studio and is fulfilling fit within our aesthetics too. The look and
her dream, becoming a full-time artist. Her feel of Maker is incredibly important to
first series ‘Gatherings’ is inspired by the us. In the same way a gallery owner may
feeling one gets when surrounded by those treat an exhibition, we want the store to be
who they love. She is currently working carefully curated to reflect the product, the
on her submission into the Retrospective artist and our region. After all, we want
Past-Present-Future Douglas Shire Arts the customer experience to be just that, an
Exhibition 2021 as one of the region’s up experience.
and coming artists.
“However we do love it when our customers
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the success connect with Maker through our social
of my first series. Besides the paintings channels too. When interstate visitors pop
available in store, I have completed six into the store and greet us with familiarity
large-scale commissions since October for because they have been following our
clients all over Australia. The Retrospectives journey from the beginning, it simply
curator, Chrissie McLaughlin, has been a makes our day.”
marvellous mentor to both Raine and I.
She is a wealth of knowledge and a tiresome More recently, Raine has been working
worker for our arts community,” Donna on a number of collaborations and new
says. initiatives to include a range of workshops.
Imagine making delicious smoothie bowls
With the focus on connecting people, a with local producers, Beach Harvest
unique aspect of Maker is their blog and Coconuts, or enjoying an afternoon hosted
video series, which can be experienced in by a talented artist, Stephanie Elizabeth, as
store and online. “Understanding who she introduces you to, or develop your skills
has made a product and seeing the process with watercolours. Fantastic. PHOTO: Rainemaker Media
where it comes to life, adds to the appeal of
a handmade piece,” says Donna. “It reveals
the person, but you also gain a sense of the A FINAL THOUGHT
passion behind the process.” With the rise of artisan spaces like Maker
Port Douglas, it turns out sustainability isn’t “We ensure that we buy from small
“Our mantra is to strive to ensure we are just a marketing buzzword. If the future of
sustainable, ethical and environmentally slow and considered retail is in the hands of businesses that have the same ideologies
conscious,” says Raine. “We aim to partner creators and entrepreneurs like Donna and as us - to be as sustainable, ethical and
with small businesses that have the same Raine Ward, then we can rest easy.
ideologies as we do. If artists or designers environmentally conscious as possible”
can’t be transparent with their production, Next time you are in town, why not drop in
then we won’t buy from them. When and say hello?
Australian designers use international
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