ROSA MAR
SPANISH AUSTRALIAN VISUAL ARTIST I
CURATOR OF CURRENTS OF PRACTICE I PUBLIC ART & PLACEMAKING I ARTS ADVOCATE
STAY TUNED 2026 WORLD WETLANDS DAY EXHIBITION & PUBLIC PROGRAM
STAY TUNED 2026 WORLD WETLANDS DAY EXHIBITION & PUBLIC PROGRAM
Photo credit: Bri Horne Dominic White Coolart Observatory World Wetlands Day 2025 Public Program
The official 2026 World Wetlands Day theme has been confirmed:
“Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
This theme recognises the deep connection between people, place, and water, shaped by knowledge passed through generations, ceremony, practice, and care. currents of practice will respond through art, dialogue, and site-based collaboration.
"In 2026, we honour wetlands as cultural landscapes, celebrating the traditional knowledge and heritage that connect communities to water, land, and life.
in residence 2025
Peninsula Hot Springs Residency
Rosa Mar Tato Ortega completed her residency at Peninsula Hot Springs as their first-ever visual artist in residence. Following in the footsteps of previous Artists in Residence—beloved musicians such as Lior and Kutcha Edwards, this new chapter marks a significant expansion of the program into the visual arts.
Residing onsite on Bunurong Country, Rosa spent her time creating and responding to the landscape, engaging deeply with the natural surrounds of the Mornington Peninsula.
As part of this residency, Rosa presented an artist talk on Good Friday at the Bath House Amphitheatre stage. She shared insights into her creative process, recent public art outcomes, and the narratives and stories that continue to shape her work.
World Wetlands Day 2025
CURRENTS OF PRACTICE
An art event interweaving wetlands, time and creative exploration
January 31 – February 02
Q&A panel discussion & exhibition
Award winning broadcaster & journalist Tracee Hutchison will be moderating the Q&A Artist Panel Discussion with coffee available from Friends of Coolart starting at 9:30 AM.
Sunday February 2
11:00AM
Coolart Homestead and Wetlands Observatory
Park opens at 8.30am
Homestead opens 9.00am
Artist spotlights + more
Click for artist spotlights and behind-the-scenes glimpses of this transformative celebration of wetlands and art.
MPRG artist-in-residence program
Rosa spent a few short weeks embracing the notion of the 'creative pause,' a sanctuary for reflection, exploration, and allowing past works to inform new creations at the unique environments of Police Point and Point Nepean National Parks.
Channeling the wisdom of Marina Abramović ‘Art is not made in a vacuum. Art is made by reflecting.
Jika Jika
Community Centre
'De-Fence against Loneliness' funded by a Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions grant, led to the removal of the old childcare fence that surrounds the premises. Its replacement, a series of functional artistic elements were constructed, enhancing and transforming various spaces in and around Jika Jika Community Centre.
This local placemaking project explicitly addresses loneliness, mental health, and social connection through the use of purposeful designed integrated site specific artwork.
World Wetlands Day
In February, the inaugural Currents of Practice: World Wetlands Day Art Exhibition & Conversations came to life at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead under the direction of artist and curator Rosa Mar Tato Ortega.
Born from a long-held vision to use art as a catalyst for ecological awareness, the project brought together artists, scientists, and the community to explore the entangled relationships between place, creativity, and stewardship. Over three days, site-responsive installations, performances, poetry, and conversations animated Coolart’s Ramsar-listed wetlands, offering new ways of seeing and engaging with this vital landscape.
Planning is now underway for the first Currents of Practice e-book publication and the 2026 exhibition and public program. To stay connected and follow the next chapter of this evolving project, visit @currents.of.practice on Instagram.
CREATIVE CONSULTING, REACTIVATING & MARKETING
'Live where you fear to live' is an artist & small business support program all about empowering & supporting artists become storytellers and attracting opportunities.
The ultimate aim is to establish a satisfying and financially sustainable arts practice and business.
