Our People
We believe that fair and equal
inclusion in the arts starts with us.
We action this belief by keeping a fully disability-led board of motivated, intersectional artists and professionals who champion our mission and vision.
The key people bringing this vision to life on an every day basis are our passionate and talented team of loud and proud, Western Sydney Artists.
As an Artist run initiative, we are dedicated to empowering artists with disability through inclusive and supportive practices. Each team member brings a wealth of lived experience and professional expertise, ensuring that We Are Studios is designed by and for the community we serve.
By fostering an environment where creativity and accessibility go hand in hand, we strive to create opportunities that amplify disabled voices within the arts.
Liam Benson
Co-Founder | Creative Director
Liam Benson (He/Him) is a disabled, multi-disciplinary artist, creative workshop facilitator, curator and disability advocate with over a decade of experience in cultural and educational institutions and community spaces nationwide.
He nurtures participants' artistic interests and skills by creating a space for experimentation, risk-taking, and meaningful connections.
Liam’s practice is shaped by collaboration with diverse communities and ongoing conversations about culture and identity.
His works are held in major public and private collections, including the MCA Australia, Art Gallery of South Australia, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, Artbank, and Western Sydney University.
Jordan Valageorgiou
Co-Founder | Chairperson
Jordan Valageorgiou (He/Him) is a disabled advocate, artist, and carer with 12 years of experience in the community sector, serving as both a worker and board member. His expertise spans program design and evaluation, governance, grant writing, and fundraising, with a particular focus on stakeholder engagement for diverse communities.
Having grown up in South West Sydney, Jordan's Greek Australian identity informs his approach to community work and advocacy, shaping his dedication to fostering inclusive communities.
As the Chairperson of We Are Studios, Jordan is committed to advocating for creatives with disabilities.
Ebony Wightman
Co-Founder | Board Member
Ebony Wightman (She/Her) is Dharug based visual artist, creative leader and disability advocate with a passion for systems thinking, social justice and access for all.
Ebony’s art practice taps into the transformative potential of crafted environments. As a creative leader, she provides consultancy services to local and interstate governments and organizations, and serves as a disability consultant for Get Skilled Access.
In 2023, Ebony received support from Creative Australia for the Evolve Leadership Residency Program, aimed at developing future arts leaders with disabilities. She was also appointed to the co-design working group for the Arts and Disability Associated Plan by the Office for the Arts and serves on the Blacktown City Council Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee.
Miah Tito-Barratt
Board Member | WAS Artist
Miah Tito-Barratt (They/She) is a genderqueer, multidisciplinary emerging artist developing a practice in film, theatre, installation, and visual arts.
Miah’s practice currently explores the nature of their disabilities and queer identity, experimenting with how different mediums can capture these experiences. They are an experienced workshop facilitator for We Are Studios, excelling in working with young people. Miah brings a unique and powerful perspective to their work, championing accessibility and inclusivity in the arts.
Their advocacy extends beyond their personal practice, influencing broader conversations and initiatives within the arts sector to promote equity and representation for all Deaf and Disabled artists.
Emmanuel Asante
Board Member | WAS Artist
Emmanuel Asante is a disabled Ghanaian-Australian migrant, artist, leader, and advocate living on Darug Land. As a Sydney-based visual artist, workshop facilitator, and guest speaker, his work critically examines his identity, incorporating traditional African metaphors and cultural symbols. He employs diverse media, including pen, pencil, watercolour, acrylic, and African fabric, highlighting African culture and fashion.
Drawing from his experiences with mental health challenges, Emmanuel is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments through arts mentoring, facilitation, and advocacy. He focuses on empowering d/Deaf and Disabled communities, youth, young men facing stigma or marginalisation, and refugee communities. As a Board Member of We Are Studios, Emmanuel champions the transformative power of the arts.
Rebecca Sciroli
Board Member | WAS Artist
Rebecca Gentz Sciroli is an interdisciplinary artist with a BA in Visual Arts (Hons). Her artistic practice spans sculpture, installation, wearables, performance, painting, and drawing, exploring the profound connection between art and human emotion. Rebecca's work addresses themes such as memory, emotional connection, femininity, sensuality, and feminist empowerment.
Her art often balances fragility and resilience, drawing deeply from personal experiences and emotions. Notably, her self-portraits document her recovery from domestic violence and her journey living in a disabled body.
As a board member and passionate advocate, Rebecca is dedicated to engaging people with disabilities in the arts, focusing particularly on those in rehabilitation or who have experienced brain injuries.
