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

ERIN HODGE
DIRECTOR, MARKETING & PARTNERSHIPS

Prior to joining Melbourne Art Foundation, Erin worked as an integral member of the marketing team at Emporium Melbourne. From its beginning in 2014, Erin was involved in delivering the new-to-market $1.6 billion asset; responsible for seeing the brand through development, launch and stabilisation, successfully positioning the centre as an iconic Melbourne destination.

Whilst at Emporium Melbourne, Erin developed and delivered many successful partnerships that received critical acclaim from both local and international media. Passionate about working with both emerging and established creative brands, Erin collaborated with a diverse range of clients, including; Baz Luhrmann, The Australian Ballet, National Gallery of Victoria, Disney, Australian Centre for the Moving Image and Melbourne Fashion Week.

Prior to this, Erin built a diverse skill set working in various roles within the fashion industry, including public relations for Stella McCartney in Paris & London.

ERIN@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

HOLLY CAMPBELL
VIP AND PROGRAM MANAGER

Holly Campbell is an arts administrator with an interest in connecting both public and private audiences with visual art and curated spaces. Prior to joining the Melbourne Art Foundation, Holly worked as a Curator and Operations Coordinator for public art consultancy and manufacturer UAP Company, leading the Melbourne Studio and working with Clients both nationally and internationally. Holly holds a BA from The University of Melbourne.

HOLLY@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM

CRISTINA ULLOA SOBARZO
DIGITAL 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

DHARIZ (DEE) MANALO
PRODUCTION MANAGER

Dhariz (Dee) Manalo has a background in project and operations management. She thrives on building strong relationships and providing solutions to all stakeholders within the Arts, Events and Construction Materials Industry. Dee has been involved in the successful delivery of Melbourne Art Fair (2022), Melbourne Design Fair (2022 – 2023), Affordable Art Fair (2022), Sydney Contemporary (2022 – 2023), Gertrude Street Projection Festival (2022 – 2023) and IMARC (2022 – 2023).

An avid volunteer within the Arts sector, Dee is committed to sharing inspirational experiences with the audience whilst supporting artists, galleries and NFP organisations.