The People

Our Team

The people behind La Vita Nova — a small, intentional team turning a shared vision into a living cultural space.

The Collective

Meet the Team

Nikol

Founder & Creative Director

Nikol is the founder and creative force behind La Vita Nova. With a background in fine arts education from Russia, she combines visual art, storytelling, and community building to create a space where culture, creativity, and meaningful conversations come together. Alongside her artistic practice, Nikol is the author of an autobiographical book published in Russia, sharing her personal journey of resilience and transformation. Her vision for La Vita Nova is to support emerging artists, encourage cultural exchange, and make art more accessible through exhibitions, workshops, and public programs. As Founder & Creative Director, Nikol leads the gallery’s artistic direction, develops its long-term creative vision, and oversees exhibitions, partnerships, and community initiatives that reflect the values of La Vita Nova.

Jen

Operations & Creative Programs

Jen is the Operations & Creative Programs lead at La Vita Nova, where she keeps the space running day to day and turns ideas into experiences people can walk into. Her work spans venue management, event coordination, workshops, and community programs, alongside the bookings and systems that keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Driven by a love of bringing people together, she also supports the brand across its website and social media, shaping how La Vita Nova shows up to its community. Hands-on, organised, and warm, Jen is passionate about creating a welcoming, well-run space where artists, guests, and the wider community feel looked after and inspired.

Cindy

Gallery Curator & Cultural Programs

Cindy is the Gallery Curator & Cultural Programs lead at La Vita Nova, where she works closely with independent artists, studios, and creative collaborators to champion emerging talent from Australia and around the world. Driven by a love of connecting people, she develops exhibitions, cultural programs, and industry events that bring together artists, audiences, businesses, and the broader creative community. With a background in interior decoration and styling, Cindy has developed a keen eye for work that is distinctive, emotive, and full of character. She is naturally drawn to work that is thoughtful, unexpected, and unapologetically individual, qualities that continue to shape her curatorial practice. More than anything, Cindy is passionate about creating opportunities for emerging artists to be seen, supported, and celebrated. She believes that every artwork has its audience, and her role is helping them find each other.

Madina Dzebisova

Strategy & Partnerships Advisor

Madina provides strategic guidance on organisational development, partnerships, programming, and long-term growth at La Vita Nova. She helps shape the strategic direction behind our cultural vision, developing sustainable initiatives that support emerging artists while fostering a vibrant and engaged creative community. Her focus is on building meaningful partnerships, expanding audience engagement, and identifying opportunities that strengthen La Vita Nova's position as a dynamic platform for contemporary art and cultural exchange. With a background in strategy and business transformation, Madina brings a collaborative and commercially informed perspective to cultural initiatives, helping translate creative ambition into sustainable growth.

Chi Trinh

Sculptor & Resident Artist

Chi Trinh is a Vietnamese-Australian sculptor based in Melbourne whose practice explores the intersection of anatomy, identity, and contemporary culture. Drawing from her Vietnamese heritage, her work reflects themes of transformation, resilience, and the transcendence of identity: examining how personal history, migration, and cultural memory continue to shape the body and self. Working across resin, metal, chrome, and industrial materials, she creates figurative sculptures that bridge fine art, fashion, and design. Her work has been exhibited at the NGV and internationally, including during the Monaco Grand Prix, where she has collaborated across art, luxury, and cultural spaces. Through sculpture, Chi seeks to create moments that invite reflection on what connects us beyond place, form, and identity.