Ross Drinnan (Chairman) (NSW)
Ross is a partner at law firm Allens, which has been a long-term sponsor of Sculpture by the Sea. He is also the Chairman of Law Firms Australia and a Director of the Law Council of Australia. Ross has been a Sculpture by the Sea board member since 2014.
Penelope Arrow (WA)
Penelope has over 30 years of leadership experience spanning diverse sectors, including all aspects of the pearling industry, aquaculture, luxury goods, heritage tourism, and remote community artist management. Currently an Executive Manager for Pearls of Australia (Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay Pearls), she oversees operations across Western Australia and New South Wales, bridging the gap between primary production and premium retail. Throughout her career, Penny has held senior management and strategic roles with the Autore Group, Skinnyfish Music, and Arrow Pearl Co. Her expertise, developed through extensive work in the Kimberley, Northern Territory, Sydney and Perth, encompasses cultural development, international trade, and cross-sector stakeholder engagement.
Simon Bloomfield (NSW)
Simon Bloomfield boasts over two decades of creative leadership experience working across numerous industries and advertising agencies, including Ogilvy & Mather and ClemengerBBDO. He is currently the Global Executive Creative Director at Worley, an ASX-listed professional services organisation supporting the energy, chemicals and resources sectors across 50 countries world-wide. A passionate supporter of the arts, Simon joined the board of Sculpture by the Sea in 2014, contributing to the evolution of its brand and digital platforms.
David Handley AM (NSW)
BA LLB (Sydney) and LLM (Kings College, London). Founded Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi in 1997; Cottesloe in 2005; Aarhus, Denmark in 2009 under the patronage of TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. Produced five Sculpture by the Sea exhibitions for the 1998 Sydney Olympic Arts Festival. Established the incorporated association to run Sculpture by the Sea in Australia in 2003. Trustee Australian Museum (2002-2010). Board Member International Sculpture Centre, USA (2008-2012). The Shane Gould Swimming Project (2008-present). Sculpture by the Sea board member since 2003.
James Hayes (NSW)
James is a regionally based educator and grazier with diverse professional and lived experiences in economic and community development, agriculture, sport, education and the arts. He was the inaugural Mayor of the Snowy Valleys and a passionate supporter of the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail. James is a secondary school teacher working mainly in the disability sector, a former NSW age level cricket coach and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Alicia Parker (NSW)
Alicia was the founder of premium juice brand Parker’s Organic Juices, which she built into a highly successful business from its inception in 2003 until the sale of the business in 2019. Prior to founding that business she practised as a lawyer in Sydney, specialising in corporate law and telecommunications. As longtime residents of the Waverley area the Parker family have been keen supporters of Sculpture by the Sea since its early years, with Parker’s Organic Juices being a cornerstone supporter of the Sculpture by the Sea Education Program. Alicia holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Sydney University.
Susan Rothwell AM (NSW)
Susan is a practicing registered architect, visual artist and horticulturalist. She is the former chair and board member of the National Art School. Susan was a former board member of the Art Gallery of NSW, Historic Houses Trust, MCA and North Foundations. Susan holds a Bachelor of Architecture and an Honorary Doctorate of Architecture from the University of Sydney. She is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects. Susan has been a keen supporter of Sculpture by the Sea since 2006.
Philip Spelman (ACT)
Philip Spelman has a broad professional sculpture practice. He is activity engaged in exhibitions, commissions and conference programs, as well as technical management and consultation with national and international art studios, and educational programs. A sculptor for more than 35 years, Philip works in both painted steel and unique cast bronze. He is a member of the Sculpture by the Sea Double Decade Club, having exhibited at Bondi 21 times as well as multiple times in both Cottesloe and Aarhus exhibitions. Awards include Helen Lempriere scholarship and the NSW Regional Art Acquisition Award. His sculptures are held in many public, private and corporate collections, nationally and internationally. Philip was appointed a Director of Sculpture by the Sea in 2016.
Sue Stratton (WA)
Sue Stratton is a West Australian with over 30 years’ experience in international marketing, sales and clinical support of Cochlear Implants (Cochlear Pty Ltd) and other hearing devices.
* An asterisk denotes our part-time staff.