Newcastle’s creative landscape just got brighter with the opening of Alejandro’s, a gallery and workshop space founded by artist and art therapist Wayde Clark, aka Alejandro Lauren. Alejandro’s is part gallery, part workshop hub and part community home, created as a place where people can tell stories, make art, learn, heal and feel genuinely welcomed. With rotating exhibitions, hands-on workshops and an open-door approach to creativity, it’s a vibrant, grounding and deeply human addition to the city’s arts scene. We spoke to Wayde to find out more.
What inspired you to open Alejandro’s? Was it something you’d been wanting to do for a while?
Opening Alejandro’s had been sitting in my heart for years. I’d always dreamed of creating a space that wasn’t just about hanging art on walls, but about community, connection and giving people a place to express themselves freely. After travelling non-stop for markets and shows, I felt this pull to build something permanent in Newcastle: a home for my art, my workshops, and the healing, cultural and creative work I love sharing.
But just as important, I wanted to create a space for others. A space where emerging artists can actually have a fair chance to shine without being priced out or overlooked, which sadly can happen in some Newcastle galleries. At Alejandro’s, artists can exhibit, grow and even run their own workshops alongside mine, all at an accessible and affordable price point.
I want people to feel empowered here. I want this to be a launchpad, a place where new voices can step forward, be supported and feel like they belong. Alejandro’s is the creative home I wish I had when I was starting out.
What role do you see Alejandro’s playing in the Newcastle arts scene?
I want Alejandro’s to be a creative heartbeat for the city, a place where people feel welcome, inspired and seen. We’re not just a gallery, we’re a workshop hub, a cultural learning space, a gathering place, a little sanctuary where people can express who they are, connect with their inner child and experience art as something alive and deeply human.
Newcastle has such a thriving arts community already. Alejandro’s adds a fresh layer of something colourful, contemporary, culturally grounded, queer-affirming, community driven and rooted in storytelling. It’s a space that celebrates everyone’s journey, not just artists, but anyone curious, open, or needing a bit of joy.
“Opening Alejandro’s had been sitting in my heart for years. I’d always dreamed of creating a space that wasn’t just about hanging art on walls, but about community, connection and giving people a place to express themselves freely. ”
Can you tell us a bit about some of the artists you have exhibiting at the moment?
Right now we have a beautiful mix of artists from Newcastle, NSW and beyond. I’ve curated the space to showcase artists who create with heart; people whose work tells a story. Every exhibition rotates, so the space always feels alive and evolving. One of my favourite things is watching people walk in and immediately connect with a piece and have that moment of “oh, I see myself in this.”
Claudia Rose – Claudia’s work is bold, playful, sensual, and unapologetically vibrant. Her visual language balances crisp graphic clarity with expressive movement, creating pieces that feel alive the moment you see them. Working across paintings, sketches, limited-edition prints, and commissions, Claudia brings a contemporary, sexy and unique aesthetic to the gallery.
Dana Bonfanti – Dana is a self-taught abstract artist whose work explores the human experience through bold colour, layered textures, and emotional honesty. Using acrylics, inks and oil pastels, she creates vivid, expressive compositions inspired by nature and her personal journey.
Genevieve Ginty – Genevieve is a Sydney-based photographic artist whose work moves between landscape, interior, still-life and conceptual imagery. With a background in both photography and graphic design, she creates visually precise images layered with emotional and environmental depth.
Kate Galea – After two decades away from the canvas, Kate’s return to painting is nothing short of electric. Trained at Central Saint Martins and the University of Reading, she rediscovered her creative voice just 18 months ago and her work has exploded with colour, rhythm, movement and joy ever since.
Luke Mannion – British-born and now based in Sydney, Luke creates expressive oil works that celebrate queer domestic life, intimacy, and everyday beauty. Using oils and oil sticks, he layers fluid gestures with small details, blending soft and strong colour palettes that honour both masculine and feminine energies.
“We’re not just a gallery,
we’re a workshop hub, a cultural learning space, a gathering place, a little sanctuary where people can express who they are, connect with their inner child and experience art as something alive and deeply human.”
What do you hope visitors feel or experience when they come to see an exhibition or join a workshop there?
I hope people feel held. Emotionally, creatively, and energetically. Seen, welcomed, inspired, grounded… all of it. Alejandro’s is built on heart and human experience. Whether someone walks in to view an exhibition or joins a workshop, I want them to leave feeling lighter, more connected to themselves and maybe even a little transformed.
In my workshops, the focus is always on creating a safe, joyful, pressure-free space. A place where people can relax, play, express, talk, heal, learn something new, or simply surprise themselves. That goes for everything I offer, whether it be cultural storytelling sessions, art therapy inspired activities, tote-bag painting, creative play, mindfulness-based making, and even the more experimental or collaborative workshops.
It’s not just about making something beautiful. It’s about giving people a moment to breathe, reconnect, discover and feel part of a community. At the end of the day, it’s all about connection, joy and feeling held in a space that celebrates who you are.
We love how varied the workshops are. What’s been your favourite so far?
Honestly, each one hits differently but they all bring their own kind of magic. But the standouts are always the cultural storytelling workshops. Teaching people my mob’s ways of communicating, seeing them honour the Country in their own artistic voice, and watching those lightbulb moments when it all clicks… that’s special. Those sessions feel powerful, grounding and deeply connective.
The tote-bag workshops are the opposite energy – pure chaos in the best way. Colour everywhere, laughter, people hyping each other up and everyone leaving with something uniquely theirs. They’re fun, messy, joyful and always full of personality.
And then the flower-painting workshops, of our Garden of Legacy Blossoms, have such a beautiful gentle energy. They’re calm, colourful and full of meaning. People really sink into the process, connect with memory and emotion and create something that feels personal.
What exciting projects or exhibitions do you have planned for Alejandro’s in the near future?
We’ve got so much happening! There are themed group shows, solo artist spotlights, cultural education days and a whole range of new workshop formats that blend art therapy, creative play and storytelling in fresh ways.
We’re also working on a big community-focused exhibition that celebrates identity, belonging and resilience, bringing together artists from all walks of life to share their stories in a powerful, collective way.
I’ve got a few collaborations lined up with local schools, businesses and community groups, all aimed at making creativity more accessible across Newcastle. Alejandro’s is becoming a real hub for people to connect, learn and express themselves, and that’s exactly what I dreamed of.
And something I’m really excited about: the space is now available for hire whether an artist wants to run their own exhibition, host a workshop, or bring a creative idea to life in a supportive, accessible environment. Keeping it affordable and inclusive is really important to me, especially for emerging artists who are just finding their feet. Alejandro’s is only just beginning, and I can’t wait to keep expanding what we offer to the community.
Anything else you want to tell us?
Just that Alejandro’s is for everyone. Whether you’re an artist, a kid, a mum, a queer icon, a curious passer-by, or someone who hasn’t picked up a paintbrush since primary school, you’re welcome here. This space was built with love, culture and heart. Come in, have a yarn, soak up the art, join a workshop, or just sit in the energy. It’s a home for creativity, healing and connection… and I’m so proud to share it with Newcastle.
