Committee of Management & Staff

Tess Edwards baldessin – president

Tess established Baldessin Studio in 2001 in memory of her late husband George Baldessin. The original hand made building was constructed by George and Tess in the 70s with re-cycled materials.

Tess continues to oversee the operations of the studio and remains the principal advocate for artists and their creative endeavours at Baldessin Studio.

silvi glattauer – Vice president

a founding member of baldessin studio, silvi still plays a vital role in keeping the studio organised and administrating the various programs.

Silvi is also a practicing artist, teaches various photo based workshops and collaborates on projects with artists.

August Carpenter – Studio Manager

August Carpenter is a practicing artist, focusing on drawing & printmaking. Previously a recipient of the Baldessin Studio SLV Tate Adamas Memorial Fellowship, she has been printing at the baldessin studio for just over 10 years, and working as studio manager since 2023.

August is represented by Australian Galleries — Melbourne and Sydney.

nicole bowller – External Projects Coordinator

NICOLE BOWLLER IS A CREATIVE LIVING & WORKING ON WURUNDJERI COUNTRY. SHE DIVIDES HER TIME BETWEEN PAINTING, CURATING and designing.

Nicole has been involved with baldession studio since 2013 and has been integral in shaping the ongoing development of the studio. She served as a member of the Baldessin Committee of management for 10 years and is currently the external projects coordinator.

Nomes Messenger – SEcretary

Nomes Messenger has a long engagement with supporting the creative industries, including writing books for the Arts Law Centre of Australia on business models and governance in the arts, Authored of 2 books for the Copyright Council of Australia and  board membership with Regional Arts NSW and Australian and Middle East Journalism Exchange Limited. 

Since relocating to Melbourne, Nomes has rediscovered her own art practice beyond film photography in printmaking.

Nomes joined the Baldessin Committee in 2024 and holds the position of Secretary.

robert hails – Committee Member (Previously Treasurer)

Robert Hails is a founding member of the Baldessin Press and Studio Incorporation. He currently sits on the Baldessin Press Committee of Management as treasurer, a position he has held since the corporation’s inception over twenty years ago.

Robert is also a traditional printmaker and conducts regular workshops in traditional etching techniques

elizabeth haigh – Committee member

With a life-long interest in Art and Art History; developing my own art practice,  together with teaching Art & Design, including VCE for 20 plus years in Australia and the UK, provides me with an insight into the world of art. Teaching, Researching, Administration, navigating digital technology, problem solving, connecting,  and communicating with various age groups - multi-tasking is my strength

gabriel baldessin – committee member

The son of George Baldessin, gabriel continues to play a vital role in the legacy of his artist father.

As a platform agnostic designer with roots in interactive products, page layout, and photography, Gabriel provides input to the studio’s various projects such as publications and online marketing.

marcus o’Donnell – committee member

Marcus O’Donnell is an artist, writer and academic who works across a range of traditional and digital print media. He brings years of administrative experience in academia and not-for-profit publishing to his role as a Committee of Management member and enjoys using his communication and strategy skills to promote the Studio’s unique vision. He is Provost of Navitas Careers and Industry Colleges.

Jennifer Smyth – Committee Member

JENNIFER IS A NAARM BASED ARTIST FOCUSED ON PRINTMAKING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND PAINTING. A PRINTMAKER FOR OVER TWO DECADES, JENNIFER FELL IN LOVE WITH PHOTOGRAVURE AFTER ATTENDING ONE OF SILVI'S WORKSHOPS AT BALDESSIN AND JOINED THE COMMITTEE IN 2024. 

IN HER PROFESSIONAL LIFE, JENNIFER IS A SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING PROFESSIONAL WITH A STRONG PASSION FOR ADVOCACY, ENGAGEMENT AND ACCESSIBILITY OF INFORMATION.

ros muston – Volunteer (PReviously Secretary)

Ros Muston is one of the Baldessin Studio’s artists and the volunteer Secretary of the Committee of Management. As Secretary she is responsible for delivery of compliance and governance arrangements in addition to a mixed bag of the Studio’s other ‘nerdy wordy’ matters.  

Ros can also be found managing the Studio’s chemicals store or providing technical assistance to visiting intaglio artists

Lana de jager – volunteer

Lana is a graphic designer with a couple of decades of experience in the arts sector. She’s very useful to Baldessin Press in a visual problem solving capacity and will support the marketing team over the course of coming years.

Sarah Runcie – Strategic Advisor (2025–Current)

Sarah Runcie, founder of Runcie & Co., is an experienced arts industry executive. She has 25 years experience working in the film industry, publishing industry and public service. Sarah is passionate about working with creative industry businesses, institutions, for-profit and not-for-profit organisations in the arts and beyond. The mission of Runcie & Co. is to help our clients get the most out of their cultural footprint

TONY GRYBOWSKI – STRATEGIC ADVISOR (2021–2026)

Tony Grybowski is an Australian arts administrator with a distinguished  career across the arts and government. In 2019, Tony established a Consulting Practice to address issues and reviews of the Australian Arts and Cultural sector. Since Establishing Tony Grybowski & Associates the company has worked for the South Australian, Tasmanian, Victorian and Queensland Governments providing Reviews, critical strategic advice and Executive Leadership. Tony was Chief Executive Officer of the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body from May 2013 to October 2018.