Key people
MARY WENHOLZ
CEO
Having worked across a global network of art fairs and some of the region’s most significant commercial galleries, Mary Wenholz has developed extensive relationships across Australasia’s cultural sector. Mary joined the Melbourne Art Foundation in 2022 in the post of Director of Events and Operations, overseeing the successful launch of the inaugural Melbourne Design Fair delivered in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria. Mary has also been involved in the successful delivery of seven editions of Sydney Contemporary (2015-2022), in addition to contributing to fairs internationally including Art Central Hong Kong (2014, 2015, and 2017), Art16 London (2016), and the Melbourne Art Fair (2014). As Event Manager, Mary delivered a city-wide program for Art Month Sydney (2016 and 2017). Prior to this, Mary was the Associate Director at Anna Schwartz Gallery, Sydney, overseeing the staging of significant exhibitions including Erwin Wurm, Candice Breitz and You promised me, and you said a lie to me, curated by Alexie Glass Kantor. From 2008 – 2013, Mary was Associate Director at Gallery Barry Keldoulis, managing the gallery’s relationship with artists and collectors, and its participation at Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Stage Singapore, Korean International Art Fair (KIAF) and the Melbourne Art Fair. Mary has a BA (Hons) and MFA from Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney.
MARY@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
MELISSA LOUGHNAN
FAIR DIRECTOR
Melissa Loughnan founded Utopian Slumps in 2007, shifting it from a non-profit to a commercial model in 2010 and operating until the end of 2014. During this time Utopian Slumps participated in numerous local and international art fairs, including Melbourne Art Fair, Sydney Contemporary, Auckland (Aotearoa) Art Fair, Art Stage Singapore, Art Forum Berlin, Art Fair Tokyo and Art Basel Hong Kong. Melissa shifted the business to a consulting agency in 2015, with a focus on public art advisory projects.
Melissa self-published Utopian Slumps: The Collingwood Years in 2011 and authored Australiana to Zeitgeist: An A to Z of New Australian Contemporary Art, Thames and Hudson, 2017. She has presented at various curatorial symposia and participated in panel discussions across Australia and internationally. She recently served a six year term on the Board of West Space.
MELISSA@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
JODIE KRAS
DIRECTOR, GALLERIES
Jodie Kras has over 10 years of experience in the art industry, working across commercial galleries, biennales, art fairs and auction houses in Melbourne and Sydney.
Jodie’s passion for helping the next generation of art collectors led her to establish The Arts Club in 2018, a series of pop-up exhibitions in unique locations aiming to bridge the gap between emerging artists and collectors. The Arts Club created spaces distinctly different to the setting of a traditional gallery and sourced unique works by emerging artists at affordable prices.
JODIE@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
ANDY KELLY
SENIOR MARKETING & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
With a background in fashion and design media, Andy has been instrumental in launching several brands into the Australian market. His passion for creating dynamic, engaging collaborative events, coupled with his ability to craft compelling stories and content that resonates, has shaped a rare skill set. Andy is adept at creating and executing marketing strategies that align with both emerging trends and timeless principles.
ANDY@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
CRISTINA ULLOA SOBARZO
MARKETING AND CONTENT MANAGER
Cristina Ulloa Sobarzo is an emerging arts professional. She has previously worked with Clemenger BBDO, leading the digital implementation of campaigns for Myer. During that time, she also volunteered with SYN radio as an executive producer for their flagship arts and culture show, Art Smitten. There, she was able to further cultivate her love of the arts, interviewing working artists around Naarm and beyond, while producing a weekly radio show and managing a team of volunteers. In 2020, during lockdown, she worked with RMIT Culture to produce a student belonging exhibition titled Museum of Me which looked to connect students during a time of social isolation.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Media), graduating from RMIT in 2021.
CRISTINA@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
ZACHARY CALLEJA
FAIR COORDINATOR
With a background in hospitality and events, and a growing body of work as a writer exploring art, design and creative identity, Zachary Calleja is an emerging voice interested in the possibilities of storytelling through collaboration and diverse creative practices. In his role as a writer and events coordinator for Oigåll Projects, he has contributed to the development of thoughtful, community-oriented programming and activations. His editorial work has appeared in publications including Union Magazine and The Local Project, where he explores the intersections of design, culture, and lived experience. His work for TCYK investigates the conceptual underpinnings of brand identity and product design, exploring the inherent narratives they possess. Grounded in a belief that meaningful stories emerge through shared process and experiences, Zachary continues to build a practice that is curious, responsive, and engaged.
ZACHARY@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
ELLA HOWELLS
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
As an artist, she has exhibited at Asbestos, George Paton Gallery, Cathedral Cabinet, 138 Gallery, Musee du Strip, 99% Gallery, Bus Projects and TCB Art Inc, and co-curated Paradoelia at Satchi & Satchi & Satchi (NZ).
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Art History, Criticism and Conservation, Criminology) from the University of Melbourne, where she received a Miegunyah Student Award. In 2024, she received a scholarship from e-flux magazine to undertake studies in art criticism with The New Centre for Research and Practice, NYC.
ELLA@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
SARA LAMMARDO
VIP RELATIONS MANAGER
Sara Lammardo is passionate about bringing people closer with art. With experience across leading cultural organisations including the State Library of Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria, and Lyon Housemuseum, she has developed a flair for producing events, exhibitions and programs that invite audiences in and spark conversation. Attentive and collaborative, Sara works to create thoughtful experiences that nurture industry relationships and deepen engagement with Australian contemporary art.
Sara holds a Master of Arts and Cultural Management from The University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Art History and Curating from Monash University.
