Bib'n'Brace Collective

Building collaborative space for artists, designers and makers

Who we are ...

Tiernan Farrelly, former industrial metal worker and fabricator and current landscape architect with a passion for man and machine, particularly motorcycles. Tiernan brings a diverse set of skills and knowledge to Bib’n’Brace Collective and with his keen eye for design and years of hands on experience welding and fabricating he is able to find solutions and bring our creative construction ideas to life. 

Sam Eyles, visual artist and creative community builder has been involved in the Brisbane art scene for over a decade. He has dedicated his time outside of his own studio practice to help set up projects such Jugglers Art Space, Brisbane Artist Run Initiatives Festival (BARI) and to foster strong creative community connections in South Brisbane and West End as Social Inclusion Project Manager for Micah Projects. Sam brings significant understanding of creative problem solving and skills in project implementation. 

Sarah Seminutin has diverse experience in people/event management, hospitality and creative industry. Currently working in the fields of social work and hospitality, Sarah is also a student of architecture, maker of industrial style furniture and has a passion for sustainable design. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to developing Bib’n’Brace as an inclusive and collaborative space for quality artisan practices. 

Our journey so far…

A landscape architect, an artist and furniture maker walk into a bar……no really!

We were three mates who would meet for beers and talk about our work as artists, designers and makers and how great it would be to practice in a co-working space that had the atmosphere of the old school New York industrial warehouses.  In July 2016 we ended up all needing a studio space as some of us had to move out of existing spaces or needed a larger space for bigger projects.   None of us had been successful in finding affordable space for rent in inner city Brisbane.

Maybe if we pooled our resources and skills we could lease, design and create what we needed??

In September 2016 we signed a 3 year lease (with possibility to extend) on a 205 square metre warehouse in Teneriffe that had huge potential for building private studios, a wood and metal workshop and exhibition and event space. 

In November 2016, after some painting and construction we launched the initial concept for the space with a group show to demonstrate what our vision was…

A collaborative co-working space that provided the opportunity for makers, designers and artists to build their practices and to support those individuals by creating a community that fostered appreciation for fine art, innovative design and quality handcrafted products.  

The support from both the local community, colleagues, friends and family has been overwhelming!! People from the surrounding community that we didn’t personally know have offered practical resources to support us while friends and family have given their precious time and skills to move the project forward.  

2017…

Currently we are working to complete an open plan industrial style warehouse that features 5 private studios and hot desk space on the mezzanine level and a metal and wood workshop and gallery/event space on the lower level.  We are partially functional and have completed part of the wood/metal workshop, 2 studio’s (which are rented) and half of the exhibition and event space.  Another 3 studios are due to be finished soon. 

We are excited about the journey we are on and have already met amazing people who want to be a part of the space in a variety of ways.  We have two applications for exhibitions later in the year and number of interested parties looking at space for private studio practice, small business enterprise, workshops and possible events… all are related to art, design and making. 

Our mission

is to establish a sustainable, thriving industrial style creative space that supports artists, designers and makers by providing private studio’s, public exhibition and event space and opportunities for diversity in practice, cross-pollination of ideas, new perspectives and a unique take on community engagement in contemporary arts culture.

We value

innovation, initiative, quality and collaboration.

To get to the fully functioning stage we are asking for $12,000 to complete the following; 

• key materials to finish the remaining studios
• materials to build or install storage areas for artworks, workshop area, tools and makers in residence
• electrical for new studios and workshop
• gallery lighting for downstairs exhibitions /events
• plumbing for event service area
• fit out for photography dark room
• dust extraction system for wood/metal workshop 
• a sound system for events

Though the space requires more finance than listed above, we believe $12,000 will enable the space to generate enough finance via studio, hot desk, exhibition and event rent to cover the overall space rent so we can continue to put our resources and time into growing an active creative space for artists, makers, designers and the wider Brisbane community. 

We believe in the enormous potential of this project and we are asking you to believe in our vision and hard work. Why not join us and see where the dream takes all of us!

We are making it happen, despite the challenges, and we would love your company!

The challenges have been a numerous but not impossible.  We are completely self-funded and all work full-time to pay for rent and materials needed to complete the space.  Work on the warehouse and any initiative to move the project forward gets done at nights and on the weekends around our own personal, study, work and small business demands.  Luckily strategies such as using our own skill sets (design, welding and timber construction) along with our collective passion for sustainable design practices that utilise recycled materials has lowered the costs dramatically. 

Now we need your support to get to the next stage. Despite the warehouse being partially  functional and overwhelming practical support from the community there is still much to be done to get the space fully functional.  One key challenge is completing elements of the space such as electrical, specialised lighting and plumbing that sits outside our skill set.  To do this work and get a basic set up for events we require some financial assistance.