Rod Pattenden Information

Dr Rod Pattenden is an artist, art historian, and educational facilitator interested in the connection between spirituality and the arts. He has written and lectured widely on these aspects of the arts and creativity in Australia and overseas. He was for many years the chairperson of the Blake Prize for Religious Art and a founding Director of InterPlay Australia. He has particular strengths in the areas of the visual arts, performance skills, movement and exploring the processes of creativity. Rod has a BA Visual Arts (arts practice), M Phil (art history), M Theol (hons), PHD and a Dip Ed. As an artist he has been involved in a wide variety of community projects including management roles, artists in residence and creative facilitation of events. He has initiated a number of community arts projects that have enhanced community building and healthy cultural diversity. He has written widely on the arts, contributing to key publications on the work of a number of leading Australian artists as well as developing a number of innovative exhibitions and installation projects. He has also been involved as a consultant to business and community organisations in the area of innovation, change and leadership development. He currently lives in Newcastle and is involved in Adamstown Arts, the visual and performing arts program of Adamstown Uniting Church.