The Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School was founded by Tom Bass AM in 1974. The School started at a magnificent workshop space on Broadway. Tom occupied the top floor with a Howard Lane entrance that took you up a wonderful old timber (square) spiral staircase to a studio flooded by light.
When Tom first took over the space, pigeons had been it’s occupants so there was a lot of cleaning up to do. He taught there for 24 years till redevelopment forced him out. We put up a fight to try to stay at Broadway, but in the end, Council offered him the Clara Street property. We moved the School to Erskineville in August 1998.
After being at Erskineville for 3-4 years Tom received notice that, as his was a private business, he could no longer benefit from a low cost Council property. This created some turmoil as previous attempts to find a studio space during the 90’s had shown us we could not find an affordable space. Julie Mahony came to the rescue. A small group of us had lots of meetings and considered the various options that would allow the school to survive. This led to the formation of the not-for-profit Incorporated Association we have been since 2003. Julie managed setting this up. We formed a small management committee which consisted of Christine Crimmins, Virginia Lloyd-Tait, the late Cliff Pain, myself and of course Julie Mahony.
For many years this small group continued to manage the school and eventually some resigned from the board, Julie in 2007, but continued to be members of the Association. More recently Julie moved to Brisbane permanently and made the decision to retire as a member.
Thank you Julie for your support over the years. We wish you well in your new life in Brisbane.
Story by Margo Hoekstra, TBSSS Treasurer.
We also chatted with Julie about her memories of TBSSS…
When did you first come to TBSSS and what brought you to the Studio?
I came to TBSSS in 2002. I had recently completed a law degree and deeply regretted that I had not followed a more creative path and gone to art school. TBSSS being an independent sculpture studio school, provided a great alternative to doing a degree in art.
What are your memories of when you first started coming to TBSSS?
I came to TBSSS when it had recently moved to 1A Clara Street, Erskineville. To me the studio has always been a magical space, of light, creativity and homage to the art and craft of three dimensional form – sculpture. As Tom said it is a ‘scared space’.
Is there a strong memory of Tom or piece of advice he gave you that you still remember and that you’d like to share?
The Tomisms I remember are:
“Sculpture is about capturing the essence of things.”
“There is nothing you can’t fix.”
Anything else you’d like to share…
I am deeply grateful and indebted to my teachers, Tom Bass and Damien Lucas. They have truly made a difference in my life. Through their wise guidance, the soulful pursuit and joy of making sculpture and being creative was nurtured and valued.
Thank you Julie!
2024 will be our 50th anniversary. We are currently planning and thinking about the various ways we can celebrate – more news soon!
Pictured above: Julie working in the Studio.
