about palava

palava, welcome merchant,
& exhibiting artists from goya 2023

Palava is a female-led community arts collective that aims to elevate the work of female identifying and non-binary artists across sydney. we do this by presenting inclusive and supportive cultural events for artists to showcase their work.

the collective was founded by Claire Rowe, imogen guest and Jes Alexander in 2021. it emerged following the success of their first collaborative group show which showcased 37 female-identifying and non-binary artists for international women’s day. since then, the collective has worked with over 100 artists across sydney and helped to raise over $5000 for local community organisations.

we love bringing people together through art, so come join us and hop aboard the palava train!

our values

art is for everyone

we believe art should be inclusive, accessible, and uplifitng, so you’ll find no art snobs here! our events are for artists from all levels of experience and stages of life, whether you’re new to the art world or a long-term veteran.


community & connection

we believe a connected community is important, so strive to help artists connect with each other and new audiences. creating art doesn’t have to be isolating, lets do it together!

inclusion & safety

we know the world can be an exclusive and unsafe place, so we aim to foster welcoming environments that uplift and highlight underrepresented female identifying and non-binary artists.


giving back

we believe in the importance of using our positions of privilege to give back to the community. in turn, we donate a portion of profits from all our events to local community organisations.

Crystalised Venus 1-3 (2023) by Alias

‘Crystalised Venus’ 1-3 (2023) by Alias, exhibited at BUffet 2023

the team

  • Claire Rowe

    CO-FOUNDER / DIRECTOR (she/her)

    claire is a gadigal-based artist currently working in acrylics and oils on canvas.

    still life painting has become her main focus, fascinated by the interplay of shape, light and colour; the possessions we choose to fill our domestic interiors telling stories of memory and connection. claire first exhibited in 2020 and has since been involved in several group shows.

    claire is a big fan of hosting and welcoming people into creative spaces. hospitality runs deep in her bones, from serving locals in her actual hospo job, curating themed dinners, to organising events with palava. her love for connecting and building community underpins all of her work.

    obsessions: waratahs, lady day, pomegranate as a garnish

    muse: shadows

  • Imogen Guest

    CO-FOUNDER / DIRECTOR (she/her)

    Imi is a Gadigal-based visual artist, an Art Therapist, and community worker.

    An artist since childhood and a 'working' artist since 2008 under the name imogen renée rose, imi got her start creating album art for bands. she works across multiple mediums in painting and illustration, the content usually carrying a cheeky undertone.

    her practice as an art therapist cements her belief that everyone is inherently creative, and deserves opportunities to explore, practise, and express this part of themselves.

    imi has worked in social services for over ten years and facilitated art therapy workshops to marginalised groups and individuals, providing a safe, creative space for a person to explore their conscious and unconscious worlds.

    obsessions: heat, sparkles, singing, tomatoes

    muse: Klaus

  • jes alexander

    CO-FOUNDER / DIRECTOR (she/her)

    jes is a dharawal-based visual artist and cultural community worker, currently undertaking a masters of art therapy at western sydney university. she is deeply passionate about community-based art’s practice, investigating inner and outer worlds, and the healing power of art.

    her creative practice spans across various visual mediums and is often placed within grassroots arts spaces and initiatives - exhibiting publicly since 2020, but making art for as long as she can remember.

    she has worked extensively across the community sector for over a decade, including on local, national, and international programs. her current work focus’ on elevating underrepresented communities through creative community development projects and social inclusion initiatives.

    obsessions: disco, social justice, foliage

    muse: dusk

our impact

thanks to your generosity we’ve raised $5,558.45 for local community organisations, including: Samaritan House Women & Children's Inner City Service, The Girls Refuge, Dress For Success, Share The Dignity, Mudgin-Gal Women's Place, & Bonnie Support Services.

image credit: bonnie support services