“I’m not sure how the founders of our group stumbled upon [Visible Ink] but I’m glad they did. The staff are friendly and encouraging and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the space. We’re very grateful to the Vis Ink team!”

BKPFM are currently working on a range of dance covers, and whatever else comes their way. The group has frequented the Visible Ink space for years, building their ranks not only as a way to exercise and fun but to be social, meeting other people that have similar interests. It’s also a way for them to use the music they listen to in a constructive and creative way.

“I guess, because there aren’t many people that actively dance to K-Pop or even like it, it’s a way for us to reach out and say: Hey! We are fans and this is what we do!”

BKPFM want to create a space for those that aren’t as confident about putting their covers (dancing or singing) out there and meet other people that have the same interest, all the while putting Brisbane on the map in the K-Pop scene.

This diverse but tight knit group spend time together outside of BKPFM, socialising and showcasing their other talents and skills as aspiring writers, artists, musicians, biologists, dancers, zoologists, conservationists and the list goes on. If you’re interested in joining them, it’s as simple watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXs3oOiogY8.

“Just do it! Don’t be scared to try something new. If you want to put your covers out there, practice hard and learn from every video or event you do. It’s always hard at first even when you’re in a group but it’s all worth it in the long run!”

Natasha also says if you’re looking to get involved in Brisbane’s dance communities, it’s important to be humble “the people you meet can give you sound advice but only if you let them. Don’t view people as your competition but as your allies, you might end up with an amazing collaboration”.

BKPFM can be contacted via Facebook and are a welcoming group, so feel free to join in on the fun.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brisbanekpopfm

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BRISBANEKPFM

Sitting down with Josie and Nicola it is easy to see how passionate they are about theatre and promoting creative arts. They first heard about Visible Ink from friends, and were really interested in a government initiative which focused on encouraging creative individuals, ‘after our first visit we were overwhelmed by the resources and facilities made available to us by the lovely staff’. Since then, The Faultline Syndicate have been rehearsing in the space regularly for their upcoming Anywhere Theatre Festival performance.

Alice’s Adventures Underground is a collaborative project with a brilliant ensemble, who create theatre through spontaneity and play.

 We love the process because of the intimacy found within live performance, the connection generated through the security within the rehearsal space, and the freedom of expression; it makes for a developmental process you don’t forget.  And then after all the tears and forgotten lines and creative blocks you reach an end goal. And that’s a pretty satisfying and exhilarating feeling.

To see the show, check out the Anywhere Theatre Festival website. Alice’s Adventures Underground will be performed at The Boundary Hotel from 14th – 17th May.

Josie also gave us this advice for young people looking to get involved in creative arts: get involved in anything and everything around you. Creative industries have so many nooks and hidden treasures you only find through experience and meeting people.  So get involved!

Check out The Faultline Syndicate’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/faultlinesyndicate, to keep up to date with what’s happening.

Teen Challenge QLD volunteer Annika Thomas, who grew up in the south-eastern suburbs of Brisbane, helps out in marketing and fundraising for the cause. Recently engaged, Annika is hoping people will get behind this cause that helps young people.

What do you do, why did you choose to go down that path, and what do you love about it?
I have currently been engaged with supporting the work done at Teen Challenge QLD. TCQ is a not for profit organisation which helps young people from the ages of 16 to 29 years who struggle with homelessness, addictions, and other life controlling issues. As part of the team at TCQ I get to be involved in the process of ensuring that Queensland youth have an opportunity for a better life. What I love most about volunteering for TCQ is the opportunity to help my community and also to be part of a friendly, supportive, and enthusiastic team.

What are you currently working on project-wise?
Currently I am helping TCQ through their marketing and fundraising. I have been creating documents and lists of fundraising strategies and events we could host to increase the donations put towards our cause. I have also been helping update the online presence of TCQ through the website and through our social media (Facebook) page.
What would you say led you to where you are today? Eg background, achievements, inspiration?
I was inspired to start helping Teen Challenge QLD through my Mum, who has always encouraged me and inspired me to take on new challenges. I have been studying writing at university and, as I got closer to graduation, I began to think about how and where I could use my skills. My Mum found a TCQ volunteer position, which provided me with a perfect opportunity to practice my skills and gain some experience. TCQ has been a great place for me to do this; the people here are supportive and encouraging, and have provided me with many opportunities to develop my abilities.

What do you get up to in your down time? Do you have any hobbies?
In my down time I like to read, write, and play tennis. A lot of my time is spent reading fantasy or thriller novels (but I am open to other suggestions). I have recently become engaged so most of my time has been taken up with wedding preparations, which involves a lot of Googling and emailing. My favourite way to relax and get away from the rush of life is to draw a bath, put on some music and read a book.

What’s it like being a young person in Brisbane? What suggestions would you make to improve the city?
Through my work with TCQ I have realised that, even though I have grown up in Brisbane, I don’t have a full understanding of what it is like to be a young person in Brisbane. I grew up in the south-east suburbs with a loving family and friends. I have my difficulties but for the most part I have a fun, interesting life. I would like to acknowledge how lucky I am to have so much love and support in my life and to encourage others do the same. So many young people do not have what I do. They struggle every day with things I have taken for granted. I would suggest that, to improve the city, everyone, from businesses to communities to governments, should acknowledge these young people and find ways to support them. No matter how small or large the engagement every bit of support given to these young people assists in bettering their lives, and the lives of their communities.

What advice or inspiration would you share with other young people?
My favourite quote and inspiration is from C.S. Lewis. “Hardships often prepare ordinary people, for an extraordinary destiny”. I see this as a reminder that no matter where you come from, no matter what you have done or been through, if you can fight against your troubles and stand strong in yourself and God, you will fly above the storm and come out a stronger person.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? Where can people get in touch with you?
Please donate or show support to Teen Challenge. Every bit of assistance is an encouragement to the staff and the young people we help. If you would like further information about helping us, or if you would like to know more about referrals, please contact us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. You can contact us through email on tcqld@teenchallenge.org.au or you can also visit our website on http://www.teenchallengeqld.org.au/.

Continuing a proud tradition of student feminism at UQ, the feminist collective behind the “Wom*news” zine are inviting people to get involved.  The dynamic foursome have fun and participate in Brisbane creative life through zine fairs, blogging and visiting Visible Ink to produce the zine. They tell us a bit more about their zine.

What do you do, why did you choose to go down that path, and what do you love about it?
Emma, Rosie, Lorelei and Laura make up the UQ Women’s Collective zine team for our feminist zine “Wom*news”. The Collective is a feminist group at the University of Queensland’s campus. We wanted to make a fun and creative space for the Collective’s members and friends to get their opinions out there on women’s issues, and thus our zine was born! We don’t receive any funding, so the zine is low key in terms of budget – which is why we have been using the printers at Visible Ink – but it’s big on awesomeness. We love that from such grass roots beginnings we’ve made Wom*news into something pretty prolific in the feminist-sphere. Articles from our zine have been featured the Down Under Feminists’ Carnival, and more recently, in UQ’s student magazine.

Emma is the editor, Rosie the website mod, Lorelei’s the designer and Laura rounds up the news in each published issue. It’s a collective effort where everyone is free and happy to pitch in to make the zine happen! Other members sometimes help with editing and submit the most amazing cover art for us to feature.
What are you currently working on project-wise?
We’re currently planning our stall for the Southside Tea Room Zine and Cartoon fair. We’re going to have a Polaroid photo campaign, as long as copies of Wom*news to grab for free. We’ll soon be calling for submissions for issue 10. Double digits, how exciting!
What would you say led you to where you are today? Eg background, achievements, inspiration?
We’re inspired by the work that other feminists do, and how little communities like the Women’s Collective can start something small and really make an impact. Feminist bloggers, and magazines like Bitch, are also something we love and aspire to be like!
What’s it like being a young person in Brisbane? What suggestions would you make to improve the city?
Brisbane is a pretty great place in terms of activism and having spaces to express yourself. We’d love to see more free and easily accessible printing and photocopying services available.
Where can people get in touch with you?
You can find all our past issues, and other cool articles at our website www.womynews.wordpress.com. If you’re a feminist in Brisbane and would like to be featured in Wom*news, or want to know more about the zine, you can contact us at uqwnews@gmail.com.

Alex Campbell is one of those people who just radiates. An active member of the Brisbane arts community, volunteering at 4ZZZ, working on a zine and playing in a popular band, Alex regularly comes in to use the Visible Ink space for projects. Running zine workshops, she also uses the space for printing and using The Arts Hub. With 15 issues of the zine she edits under her belt, we’re stoked we could track her down for an interview and ask her some questions about her motivations and passions.

What do you do, why did you choose to go down that path, and what do you love about it?
I am the editor and one of the contributors of Slubberdegullion Magazine (Slubs Zine). The zine came about when I was living with a group of people in a big share house in early 2011 and we decided to start a house zine, featuring drawings and writings from friends of ours and reviewing and interviewing local bands.

It kind of got to be something bigger and we began to get other contributors and started distributing it in shops such as Atavist Books and The Time Machine in Nambour.

I love being involved in the zine because its so much fun to be creative with friends, making art, writing, hanging out with bands etc. It’s awesome to have an avenue to publish both our own work and that of our friends. It’s really great to have a platform to speak on and to raise awareness of things that matter to us happening in our community. I love meeting people who have collected all the issues or seeing emails in our inbox from readers saying what they loved/hated about the past issue.

What are you currently working on project-wise?
Currently we are gathering some stuff together to create Slubs Issue 15!

What would you say led you to where you are today? Eg background, achievements, inspiration?
A love of writing and collage! and discovering new music and bands, also my sister introduced me to zines when I was quite young and I loved the whole idea of them from the start.

What do you get up to in your down time? Do you have any hobbies?
I write music and poetry and play in an all girl punk band called GUNK. I also love going out to gigs and vegan cooking.

What’s it like being a young person in Brisbane? What suggestions would you make to improve the city?
In Brisbane, there definitely needs to be more avenues for young people to express themselves, more public art spaces, more government funding for small scale creative projects. I think there needs to be less of a focus on sport and more of a focus on the arts.

What advice or inspiration would you share with other young people?
Anyone can make art, anyone can make a zine, anyone can play music or write, regardless of background, education etc don’t let anyone tell you you can’t, everyone’s opinion of what is good is different, so don’t doubt yourself, or give up before you’ve even tried! You might be surprised what skills you can discover if you just give it a go.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? Where can people get in touch with you?
You can email us with questions and contributions at slubs_zine@hotmail.com and we can also post you a copy of the zine.

If you want to be notified of events or when new issues are coming out, check out our Facebook page. Otherwise pick up a copy at Atavist Books in Winn Lane.

What do you do, why did you choose to go down that path, and what do you love about it?
I am a singer/song-writer, poet, story-teller and social justice advocate. This path chose me more or less – it wasn’t really any choice I had. I was singing as soon as I found out that my words could run longer and I found words coming really easily to me. My social justice advocacy was dawned on me during high-school when I felt deep within myself that I couldn’t sit by and let people suffer without at least speaking up.

What are you currently working on project-wise?
I am currently in a social-justice alternative rock band called “The Change”. We sing about things that really mean something to us from Human Trafficking to poverty to depression to bullying to self-esteem. We are devoted to letting people know we want to help them, and that they aren’t alone. This really ties in with my love of human rights, social justice, creative writing and music and that just makes me really happy. I’m always really interested to learn about new charities and organisations that exist for the purpose of helping people- such as “Hope Movement” whose founder I had the ultimate pleasure of meeting at a music festival. I love their purpose and their vision… AND their merch!

The Change, a social-justice alternative rock band.

What would you say led you to where you are today? Eg background, achievements, inspiration?
I have heaps of things that led me to where I am. One blessing after another, a million lessons learnt through failure and a passion so strong I couldn’t ignore it even if I wanted to; which I don’t. I’m hopeful for change and truly optimistic about the positive impact the world will see.

What do you get up to in your down time? Do you have any hobbies?
In my down time I drink copious amounts of coffee (which really isn’t all that different to my busy times). Not only that but I love going to and helping out with my church’s events and services, getting more involved in my community and travelling. I have this epic hunger for travel that never seems to be satisfied no matter where I go. I’m ridiculously blessed to have the ability to travel and I will go far and wide to help people and play music.

What’s it like being a young person in Brisbane? What suggestions would you make to improve the city?
Being a young person in Brisbane is actually really good. I wasn’t born here- I was born in a rural, far-northern Queensland town and from there moved to multiple places down the state before settling in Brisbane. Seeing the different lifestyles of the communities I’ve been a part of has really inspired me to get everything out of what is offered to me. Brisbane is so full of life and culture and an incredibly diverse range of people. The only improvements I can think of really are a lowering in public transport prices, cleaner streets and more cheap recording studios.

What advice or inspiration would you share with other young people?
I wouldn’t even know where to start. Be yourself really. Find what makes you happy, work on it, develop it, put it into practice  Singing, dancing, computing, ANYTHING- just make sure you don’t hate where you are or what you do because that will make you unhappy. Never give up on doing something you love- persistence and perseverance are key.

“I’ve been doing comedy for a few years now and it’s the most fun and frustrating thing I’ve ever done. There’s no real impressive story as to how I got into it, when I was a kid I would watch comics do short sets on Rove or The Footy Show or shows like that, and it just seemed really fun and easy to do. Then the Melbourne Comedy Gala would show on TV and there would be all these different types of comedians, different styles, different sort of acts from all over the world, showing me that you can make people laugh in more ways than one. And that’s another cool thing about comedy, the fact that anyone – young/old, male/female, big/small, any ethnicity, any cultural background, whatever – can do comedy. And be amazing at it.”

I’ve had people tell me I’m bloody hilarious and some people tell me to quit because I suck.

I’ve had lots of good gigs and just as many bad gigs. I’ve had people tell me I’m bloody hilarious and some people tell me to quit because I suck. I’ve shared the stage with some big names, performed in comedy festivals, performed in backyards at birthday parties, done gigs in the city and rural Queensland, been interviewed on radio. One night I smash a gig in front of 300 people and the next night I bomb hard in front of 3. I’ve even had to follow a burlesque stripper routine at a show once. It’s a very tough and challenging pursuit, it takes years until you can get paid to do it and call it your full time job, but that’s the thing about it that kinda drives me, the fact that all the hard work will – eventually – pay off big time. At least that’s what I tell my Mum.

What are you currently working on?

I’m in a show at the Brisbane Comedy Festival called “Super Happy Fun Time” with some other comedian friends. It’s our third year doing a show at the Festival, and we’re really keen on this year’s show because last year we had a lot of sketches and theatrical aspects that we worked into a narrative, which worked well and we really enjoyed but for this year’s show we decided to just cut all the fancy-pants gimmicks and get back to what we love to do – just good straight stand-up. We’ve all been gigging constantly on the Brisbane comedy circuit for the past year or so so it will be interesting to see how we’ve all progressed as comics since the last show. Oh gosh, I hope I’m good.

As for why we gave the show that title, well I guess you’ll just have to come along to find out.

What would you say led you to where you are today?

After finishing school (Thank God) I moved to Brisbane to study acting, as well as finally giving stand-up a go. I moved from my small home town in country Queensland, where you can’t really have a good career unless you wanted to follow up something in rural outback country stuff. I guess that’s a sign it wasn’t for me, the fact that I call it ‘rural outback country stuff’.

All I wanted to do was act, perform, comedy etc so I was keen to move to the big city and see what it has to offer (turns out, a whole lot more than the country). I was that kid in class always trying to be funny and making jokes. I guess the performing arts has always been the business that I wanted to be a part of, so among all the joke writing and school plays I also performed with acoustic guitar for a while, I still do occasionally.

Performing is fun. I think it’s an art that takes a while to master, and all that comes with it, the experience, the gigging, and even the theory is the most interesting thing to me, so I’m inspired by what professionals have to say about it from all over the spectrum, whether it be comedy, acting, music, or whatever.

What do you get up to in your down time? Do you have any hobbies?

Sleep. Honestly I don’t know why but lately I’ve been napping more and more at odd times of the day.

But apart from that I play guitar, and occasionally write songs. I recently have gotten back into gaming, which I proudly avoided for years but I guess that’s what happens when your flatmate leaves his Xbox in the living room.

Watching movies, eating, reading about stuff online. I guess they’re not really hobbies but more just me describing what I do when I’m procrastinating/being lazy. Sorry.

I also tend to hang out with friends a lot, like going to see a movie or lunch or even just talking and hanging around the city. Oh man, now that I think about it I should get a real hobby, like model airplanes or kite flying.

What’s it like being a young person in Brisbane? What suggestions would you make to improve the city?

Brisbane is great, I really do enjoy living here. I think it has a great arts and culture scene and there’s always new places (bars, restaurants) popping up around town to go check out. It’s good because whenever I’m with friends and we get bored, there’s always something we can do.

What advice or inspiration would you share with other young people?

On whatever path you take, be willing to learn and embrace all the new experiences. Take in everything you can from everyone you meet, everything you see and do, and just remember that every bit of knowledge will make you a better person tomorrow.

Alisa Newey is a Brisbane designer with the philosophy, “making sustainability beautiful”.

Her work combines reclaimed materials and unique sculptural forms. Alisa is a new face in furniture design, having started out in Architecture before completing her Masters in Visual Arts/ Design at The Griffith University Queensland College of Arts in July 2012.

Alisa has worked on projects in Architectural Design, Fashion, Furniture and Exhibition Design. She has a passion for creating and enjoys a ‘hands on’ approach to design which involves sketching, constructing small models and scale prototypes right through to manufacturing finished prototypes. Alisa works in the workshop one day each week with a local designer/ maker to experiment with materials and prototype new products.

Emerge is Alisa’s first large scale furniture piece, and is currently receiving a lot of attention in design circles throughout Australia.

Emerge is Alisa’s first large scale furniture piece and was displayed as finalist in The EDGE Design Competition at The Australian International Furniture Fair. Alisa is currently prototyping a “little sister” to the Emerge stand which will be, “a solution for hanging the clothes which clutter up the back of our desk chair”.

What do you do, why did you choose to go down that path, and what do you love about it?
I’m doing Year 10 at TAFE at the moment, and working as a hairdressing assistant. I also volunteer with Open Doors – Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans (LGBT) Youth Service. I was unable to complete normal school due to health issues. I learnt business skills i.e customer service and now work as a peer mentor for new and existing clients. I think of Open Doors as a home away from home. I first went there when I was 13, and have been going to Open Doors who work with me on my Gender Identity. Everyone here is friendly and gets along. It feels like a big extended family.

What are you currently working on?
I am completing year 10 and starting a business degree at TAFE. My goal at the end is to own and manage a pub. I would like to travel – Europe – I’m interested in seeing Europe and visiting family.

What would you say led you to where you are today?
My friends have really helped me to get to where I am today, they’re so supportive and accepting of my gender identity. I first thought that I was trans when I was 13, but buried it due to fears of bullying but after a few years come to the realisation that I could not keep living as a female and have been a lot happier presenting as male. (Presenting is dressing as a male and passing as a male within the community.)
I won the Open Doors Youth Service award last year for being a friendly face and a great mate to other young people who identify as LGBT and/or sexually or gender diverse within Brisbane.
When I won the award I felt surprised and happy. I just did not expected it. I just believe doing what I do should be done no matter who the person is?
My sister is my inspiration as she is the most well-adjusted person within my family. I look up to her because she is responsible, caring and one of the smartest people I know. She has achieved a great OP score at school and won some awards during her graduation at University. She is now teaching English and history at a high school. She is really supportive of me … all of me.

What do you get up to in your down time? Do you have any hobbies?
I love drawing, I draw people, anime and cartoons. I read fantasy and auto-biographies – the last book I read was Lord of the Rings. I really enjoy reading those genres, they help me travel on public transport. I can just put my head down, and don’t have to talk to any of the other bus passengers.

What’s it like being a young person in Brisbane? What suggestions would you make to improve the city?
It’s pretty good, there is still a lot to do and a lot to see especially if you are poor. I’d recommend visiting Southbank or the Queensland Museum, or you could visit West End and other boutique suburbs and window shop.
To improve the city public transport should be cheaper, it’s really expensive.

What advice or inspiration would you share with other young people?
Your life is your own to do what you like with it, and you shouldn’t let other people tell you in what direction you have to go. There’s no hurry to decide what you want to do with your life – it’s stupid to decide what you’ll be doing for the rest of your life when you’re 17/18 and just leaving school. It’s hard to know what you want instantly, so take your time.

What do you do, why did you choose to go down that path, and what do you love about it?

I am currently working in fast food (not as fun!). But in my spare time I do make-up for friends and family. I am also a Drag Baby (newbie drag queen). I chose to become involved in doing makeup and drag because since I was little I’ve always been fascinated with this kind of thing. Thanks to the many people I have around me I have found the courage to follow what I have always loved. I really love doing people’s makeup. It’s such a rewarding feeling when you have done something good for them. They start to feel good about themselves and the best reward is seeing them enjoying being themselves. I LOVE performing and so doing drag really puts all my passions in one basket.

What are you currently working on project-wise?
I am working on many different performance pieces and also trying to get into a makeup school to reach my goal of being a makeup artist.

What led you to where you are today?
Firstly my mother has always been there beside me every step of the way. My friends have also been really loving and supportive. I think having the Open Doors youth service and their guidance has helped me in the best ways possible too.

What do you get up to in your down time? Do you have any hobbies?
I dance, draw anime, read, hang in the CBD/Southbank with friends and just chill where ever I please. My hobby at the moment would have to be belly-dancing. I love doing it, and it’s an awesome work out.

What’s it like being a young person in Brisbane? What suggestions would you make to improve the city?
It has not been easy in the past but as times are changing people can be themselves in public. For me this means I can feel like ME when I leave the house and don’t have to put on my “mask” to hide who I am. Organisations like Open Doors and other youth services around Brisbane can be really helpful because having a group you belong to is great for being a young person in Brisbane.

What advice or inspiration would you share with other young people?
I really believe you should never give up no matter what. It may be hard now but if you close your eyes and shut out the world how can you see the light coming up? I also think you should be yourself and if your group of friends don’t like it then they are not worth your time or energy. Just put your energy into finding people like yourself and then have fun with your new friends.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? Where can people get in touch with you?
just like to say that being young in this time and age when everything is about to change is amazing and we all need to do is just let time show us the way to whatever life has in store for us and use it as a lesson to learn from as we are always learning. If anyone wants to get in touch with me they can reach me through Facebook or email me at ryan.jay18@hotmail.com.au