Linda Blincko

Creative Coordinator

A few of us started up The Depot in 1996 after having approached the City Council in 1994 about taking over the derelict works depot and turning it into a creative environment for artists and musicians. Although The Depot has been transformed from its early days it continues to maintain its philosophy of inclusiveness and support. Although we’re constantly undertaking new projects – it’s my role to develop projects that widen the scope of opportunities for creative people and their audiences - they continue to be encompassed by the philosophy, encapsulated by our circular mantra  “Creating an environment that encourages creating….”

Mark Howden

Studio Manager, Depot Sound

I have had a long association with The Depot, exhibiting here in 1997 as part of a show with AUT University and again in 2003 when I composed music for a contemporary dance performance.

I have a background in fine arts and graphic design. I graduated from AUT University with a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Masters Degree in Art and Design (1st class honors).  I am currently part way through my PhD in Music and Technology - looking at the intersection of modern digital technologies and practices of music industry. Subsequent to this I also produce my own music and other independent artists via my own record label Waht Records (www.myspace.com/wahtrecords).

I can see a great opportunity at Depot Sound as there is a lot of talent and enthusiasm in the music industry at the moment and as more and more musicians and producers enter the industry - all brimming with ideas and hungry for experience.  My focus at The Depot will be to promote the studio as a resource for artists, musicians, producers, and to people that have a requirement for low-cost, creative, flexible and professional working environment.  Through this I aim to create high quality, original and unique recordings to continue to build on the studio's reputation as an integral component of the Depot Artspace.

Julian McCarthy

Arts Lab Artists’ Career Facilitator

Hi there, I’m part of the Arts Lab team. My experience is in film & video production – short film, TV commercial, music video, documentary, drama –( most areas in fact), working in camera department, writing, directing , editing, art department , general flunky –all sorts! At present I teach video production part-time, and direct & edit documentaries.

I am also involved with the film & TV people on the Arts Lab programme here at The Depot,- for career advice if that’s needed, but also in discussing options on where to go looking for work, how to get work in a particular area of film & TV etc.  Sometimes what I do is provide ‘an outside view’ on where a person is at in their film and TV career, from the point of view of someone who understands how the world of film and TV operates. Film and TV is such absorbing work that a bit of perspective can be of use to let people know that they are not making the most of their skills and talents, or that in fact they are doing okay – and to keep hanging in there and  they will get to where they want to go. Its pretty rewarding when people get that job they’re after, or you see their name in the credits somewhere, and you can see that they’re getting where they really want to go.

Lynn Lawton

Arts Lab Manager, Arts Lab Artists’ Career Facilitator, and Satellite Managing Director

Lynn is manager of The Depot’s Arts Lab programme working with a team of  arts facilitators to provide career guidance and mentoring to artists seeking employment and self employment in the creative sector.  Over the past six years Lynn has initiated workshops and professional development programmes which assist artists to pursue their career path.  He has worked with The Depot’s Creative Coordinator, Linda Blincko, to develop prototype artist apprenticeships in the visual arts, graphic and website design.

Lynn is also Satellite Gallery’s managing director providing guidance and management support to The Depot’s inner city gallery which exhibits a diverse range of contemporary art and provides a nourishing environment in a refined space for professional emerging artists.

Federico Monsalve

Project Coordinator

Born in Colombia, Federico has done a bit of everything.  He has picked apples in the Wairarapa beside a large biker who spent the day singing Italian arias. Once, as payment for a 26 hour ride, he sold corn from the back of an 18-wheel truck in the cobblestone plazas of Incan towns in the snow-covered Andes. He’s had his short stories rejected by dozens of great literary magazines (and published by a handful) and doesn’t claim to be “working on a novel”. He’s taken a couple of uni classes from Nobel Pize winners in Massachusetts - and still wonders if he understood half of what they said. He’s been a feature writer and reviewer of books, gigs, theatre, visual arts, restaurants, bars, CDs, cars and video games for almost every NZ printed media outlet and a few international ones. He has written for the professional stage and the silver screen in Mexico City (where he recently finished film school).  He re-launched and ran the community weekly newspaper City Voice in Wellington and worked in policy and consular areas in two NZ Embassies overseas.

At The Depot he is looking forward to meeting, collaborating and connecting interesting creative souls, and embarking in yet more memorable and exciting experiences.

Brian White

Arts Lab Artists’ Career Facilitator and Administrator

I have joined the Arts Lab team here at The Depot as a Arts Lab Artists’ Career Facilitator. My background has been in animation and illustration, working on a variety of short films, TV specials, commercials and tutoring in classical 2D animation and life drawing before becoming the Senior Head Tutor at Freelance Animation School.

I enjoy nurturing talent and working with artists from all walks of life, which makes my role within the Arts Lab team ideal for me. Being involved in the creative industry keeps you fresh to constantly explore and discover new interests, meet exciting and inspirational people and it certainly keeps one young at heart.

Additionally I have a keen interest in both playing and listening to (usually loud) music, spending time with my family and friends, watching movies and working around the house.