Kim has come a long way in a short time.
From the school student put in the ‘too hard basket’, to landing her dream job as supervisor at Multicap’s creative arts business, Monte Lupo Arts Studio, Kim has a lot to be proud of.
“I was told quite frequently at school that I wouldn’t amount to anything,” she said. “A teacher even told me I would end up in jail.
“So, I’m proud of how I’ve proved those people wrong. I have found my passion; I have a steady job and I’m definitely not in jail.”
Kim says it was after being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in her late teens that her life started to turn around.
“Growing up I had a lot of questions about myself – I didn’t understand why I was acting out but I couldn’t help it,” she said. “Once I was diagnosed and had a routine and my art, it helped a lot.”
Despite her love of art and having already completed a Certificate III in Fine and Visual Art while still at school, Kim wasn’t sure what she wanted to ‘do’ when she finished Year 12.
But a work experience program led her to Multicap’s Monto Lupo Arts Studio and the rest, as they say, is history.
“I was lucky Multicap offered me a job with Monte Lupo Arts Studio once school was finished,” she said.
Kim’s first job with Monte Lupo was as a ceramic’s assistant.
“When I started I had no idea what I was doing,” Kim said. “I had done a little bit of ceramics in high school but never thought I could make a career out of it.”
Over the years, Kim has learnt the ropes from the ground up, continuing to reach her career goals.
At the beginning of 2022 she was promoted to supervisor, a job she’s aspired to since early in her art studio career.
“I saw what the supervisors did, and I knew that was a goal I wanted to reach,” she said. “That was my big goal for my career.
And while Kim still spends some time sculpting, which she says ‘is nice because I would feel lost without it’, her work days are a lot ‘more to do with people now’.
“I like that I can see the people I mentor grow and come out of their shell,” Kim said. “It’s great seeing them become more comfortable around me as their supervisor and being able to share a joke.”
Multicap’s General Manager of Creative Arts Fiona Haynes said Kim was an asset to the studio and team.
“We’ve watched her grow in confidence and skills over the years and we couldn’t be prouder of her as a person and an artist,” Fiona said.
“We’re lucky to have her as part of our studio leadership team.”
Visit the Monte Lupo Arts website, to view some of the artists fabulous creations.