• Founder & Creative Director

    Art Mindfully Journey

    The seeds of Art Mindfully were planted through Steve's personal mindfulness journey, which began over fifteen years ago with MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) training through OpenGround Australia. His commitment to mindful practice has deepened through teacher training with the Mindfulness Training Institute of Australasia, regular meditation retreats, and ongoing study of Buddhist philosophy.

    In 2016, Steve established Art Mindfully as a platform for research and innovation in contemplative art viewing. The initiative quickly gained recognition, leading to partnerships with prestigious institutions including the Brisbane Arts Festival, Sydney Opera House, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, and Vivid Ideas Festival.

    Arts Background

    Steve Pozel brings three decades of expertise in fostering creative excellence across design, architecture, and visual arts. As the former CEO and Creative Director of the Australian Design Centre in Sydney, and previous director of Canada's prestigious contemporary art spaces The Power Plant and Mercer Union, he has shaped significant cultural conversations and innovations.

    His international reach extends to developing major creative projects for world-renowned institutions including Japan's 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, London's V&A Museum, Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum, Melbourne Museum, and the Sydney Opera House.

    Innovation in Learning/Experiencing

    A cornerstone of Steve's work has been the development of the Art in Mind programme at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Launched in 2016, these sessions explore diverse artworks - from Rembrandt and Vermeer to contemporary Indigenous Australian paintings - through mindfulness frameworks, creating new pathways for artistic engagement.

    Bridging Worlds

    Beyond his work in arts and mindfulness, Steve serves as an Innovation Strategy consultant (www.stevepozelprojects.com), championing human-centred design methodology across education, aged care, and environmental sectors. This parallel work enriches his exploration of the intersections between creativity, innovation, and mindfulness in both educational and corporate environments.

    His role as co-developer and facilitator of the Understanding Mindfulness programme at The School of Life, Sydney, further demonstrates his commitment to making contemplative practices accessible and relevant to contemporary life.

    Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stevepozel