episodic The Artier Side is a series of stories and insights from creatives in the west, hosted by local artist and Co-Director of The Art Room - Ilona Nelson. In each episode Ilona sits down with a local creative to learn more about who they are, what they do, and the story behind their practice. Along the way, we'll uncover the people, passions, and perspectives that help shape the culture of the west.


More than just a conversation about art, The Artier Side is about community, connection, and celebrating what makes the creative scene in the west so unique.

]]> Westsider Radio: The Artier Side 2026 Westsider Radio Westsider Radio false Westsider Radio support@westsiderradio.com.au en https://pod.co/the-artier-side Host Ilona Nelson interviews local artist and psychologist Terri Russell Barker on The Artier Side about growing up in Melbourne’s West, then leaving and returning. Barker describes always identifying as an artist, but shifting into visual communications and corporate design, then reconnecting with her personal practice around 2016 through women’s group exhibitions and The Art Room (TAR). She discusses vulnerability, the support of creative community, and evolving from skill-building in drawing and painting into clay, sculpture, video, and photography. Her first solo exhibition, “Rage Be Comes Her,” explores women’s anger, embodiment, and feminism, informed by research and her psychology work, and invites audiences to engage with discomfort and speak about what makes them angry. The show runs at Parallel Projects, Footscray, 18 July–21 August 2026, with an artist talk 15 August.

]]> RAGE BE COMES HER - Terri Russell Barker RAGE BE COMES HER - Terri Russell Barker 00:45:49 3ec6f3e6-49c4-461c-b7e0-959f7dcec248 Westsider Radio 2 1 full false https://pod.co/the-artier-side/rage-be-comes-her-terri-russell-barker Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:59:41 +0000 Host Ilona Nelson introduces The Artier Side and interviews Erika Gofton, founder of The Art Room, about moving from Hobart to Melbourne’s west, her early creative life, art-school experiences, and the shift from identifying mainly as a painter to a multidisciplinary practice centered on drawing, the human body, and motherhood. 


Erika explains how teaching began after having her son and evolved into The Art Room, which grew from community classes to a large Cowper Street studio with galleries (Parallel Projects and Conduit), a maker shop, library, and dedicated teaching spaces for drawing, ceramics, painting, open studio, and printmaking. She outlines the philosophy: artist-led, kind teachers; a safe, non-assessed environment; and programs designed to build skills toward autonomous, sustainable practice. The episode closes with local favorites in Melbourne’s west.

]]> Meet Erika Gofton, founder of The Art Room Meet Erika Gofton, founder of The Art Room 00:35:26 5d57d5c1-c57f-4342-a469-4a6394c9b46b Westsider Radio 1 1 full false https://pod.co/the-artier-side/meet-erika-gofton-founder-of-the-art-room Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:40:28 +0000