00:02This is no ordinary artist collective.
00:04I did the drawing off the front and I saw the JD on the front of the cushion.
00:09Hands On Studio is a supported studio for artists of all abilities.
00:14It's kind of like being in a creative vortex.
00:17We make the rules, they break them and create their own,
00:19which is I think a really wonderful thing about Hands On.
00:22It began 30 years ago in a shed in Curtin.
00:25A group of parents who were working out what to do with their children when they left school.
00:30And the parents worked together and decided to start an arts program.
00:34Stephen's been here from the beginning.
00:36The parents said, why don't we go there and have a look?
00:40He said, do you like it or not?
00:42And eventually I got more confident as I kept going to the place.
00:46And then it was a little bit shy the first time I got there and then I settled in.
00:50And he's still creating art for himself and others.
00:53He'd like to see his portrait of Julia Gillard on the walls of Parliament.
00:58How do you want Parliament House better than the other one?
01:00Because it's coloured.
01:02Once people start, they don't want to leave.
01:04Quite often I have to tell people, once you're on our waiting list,
01:09you may be waiting for 20 years or so.
01:11Keeping it going and growing takes funding and fundraising.
01:15There are challenges and we are working really hard behind the scenes
01:21to ensure that our program survives.
01:23And I know that there would be a riot if we were to close down.
01:27I can manage an art studio but I don't know if I can control a riot.
01:31Celebrating 30 years of creating art with heart.
01:34When it just started...
01:35Do you want to do it?
01:36No it'll be fine.
01:37No it'll be fine.
01:38Leave a break around the scene
01:39You
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