Our Staff & Board
Sit Beneath - installation at The Arboretum, Batlow by Julie Roche, image by Tayla Martin 2021
Our Staff
Ashleigh Baxter
Executive Director
p. 02 69216890
e. ashleigh@easternriverinaarts.org.au
Ashleigh Baxter is the Executive Director of Eastern Riverina Arts. She leads a team dedicated to supporting the growth of arts, culture, and creative industries in Regional NSW. She has extensive experience working with artists, community groups, and organisations to forge partnerships that foster opportunities for creative development in the region.
Ashleigh has worked in the local government, museum, art gallery, and not-for-profit sector. Her work reflects a strong commitment to strengthening the local arts community and enhancing the region’s creative industries.
Brittany Hefren
Acting Executive Director (Maternity Leave Cover)
p. 02 69216890
e. brittany@easternriverinaarts.org.au
Brittany Hefren is the Communications and Engagement Coordinator at Eastern Riverina Arts, where she has championed regional creatives since 2021. She leads ERA’s communications strategy, publishing engaging content across the ERA website, newsletter, social media, and Creative Riverina directory.
With a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Design & Visual Arts) and expertise in visual storytelling, photography, and graphic design, Brittany is passionate about celebrating the work of Riverina creatives and fostering the growth of emerging talent. Outside of ERA, Brittany is a practicing photo-media artist and freelance photographer.
Maryanne Gray
Program & Partnerships Manager
p. 02 69216890
e. maryanne@easternriverinaarts.org.au
Maryanne Gray is the Programs and Partnerships Manager at Eastern Riverina Arts. With a background in arts education, arts administration, art therapy and music, she brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Maryanne has worked in local government both in the Art Gallery and Library, engaging a diverse range of local creatives and communities since 2020. She has also taught visual art across a wide range of educational environments and is passionate about developing programs and partnerships that celebrate diversity, creativity and community connection.
Ashleigh Pengelly
Communications & Engagement Coordinator P/T Wed-Fri
p. 02 69216890
e. comms@easternriverinaarts.org.au
Ashleigh Pengelly is the Communications and Engagement Coordinator at Eastern Riverina Arts. A proud Wiradjuri woman, Ashleigh brings a strong background in community development, engagement and creative communication. Her work spans the not-for-profit sector, local government, and her own creative business, giving her a practical, people-centred approach to storytelling and design. Ashleigh is passionate about using creativity to connect communities, share culture, and celebrate the arts.
In her role as Communications and Engagement Coordinator, she combines her background in community work with her love of visual storytelling to build connections, spark conversation, and showcase the depth of creativity across the Riverina.
Sarah Keane
Programs Assistant P/T Thurs-Fri
p. 02 69216890
e. programs@easternriverinaarts.org.au
Sarah Keane is the Programs Assistant at Eastern Riverina Arts. Sarah is an emerging arts professional with a background in art history, gallery operations and program delivery. With a Bachelor of Art History and Curating at Monash University, she brings hands-on experience from both commercial and regional, local government galleries. Her background in Marketing and Communications brings skills in project coordination, communications and event management- experience she now brings to supporting ERA’s programs and artist-led initiatives. Sarah is passionate about supporting artists and communities through the curation of collaborative programming.
Our Board
Eastern Riverina Arts is overseen by a skills-based Board of Directors who ensure sound governance and a robust strategic plan is in place.
Our board comprises 5 directors who are directly elected to the board, and 2 further representatives of our Regional Advisory Committee (which has a representative from each of our member Councils).
Our board is full of talented and committed people guiding the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring it is governed sustainably, ethically and legally. If you would like more information about our Board, please contact the executive director at exec@easternriverinaarts.org.au.
Vanessa Keenan
Acting Chair
Vanessa is a Snowy Valleys based arts management consultant with a strong background in governance with membership of several government and not-for-profit boards and committees. She also has extensive experience managing national humanitarian grant programs and is a practising artist.
Craig Richardson
Treasurer/Acting Deputy Chair
Craig has more than 30 years experience working in senior financial and governance roles in the local government and university sector. He is a CPA accredited Accountant.
Ann Sutton
Board Member
Ann Sutton has a strong background in administration and management in retail business. She’s a graduate of the AICD Company Director’s Course and has many years experience on retail and NFP Boards. Ann is a strong supporter of regional arts and currently enjoys working with many local artists in her business advisory role.
Freda Nicholls
Board Member
Freda is a professional writer and an experienced community leader, with more than 20 years experience leading community and cultural groups in the Riverina region. She is a founding member and chair of the Jugiong Writers Festival Committee.
Gavin Rhodes
Board Member
Gavin is a Local Government General Manager with extensive experience in leadership and public sector management. He has worked in both Local and Federal Government and is passionate about fostering sustainable growth and delivering positive outcomes for local communities.
Sue Wood
Board Member
Sue Wood is a former senior lecturer in the School of Communications and Creative Industries at Charles Sturt University. She is a practicing visual artist and has a PhD in art history.
Fiona Piltz
Board Member
Fiona is a Human Resources professional with over 20 years experience. She has worked in Local and Federal Government, and in the private sector. She brings strong strategic planning, change management and governance experience.
Governance
Eastern Riverina Arts Inc is a not-for-profit incorporated association, established in 1991 as Eastern Riverina Arts Program Inc. Eastern Riverina Arts is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission.