News Alert |

The Ballarat Open Studios: Art of Making, a program of exhibitions, workshops, talks and art studio trail will take place from the 3 -13 April 2020 – over the school and Easter holiday period.

Highlighting the city’s 2019 designation as a UNESCO Creative City for Craft and Folk Art, the City’s Art of Making program will promote more than 20 artist studios and host more than 30 workshops, masterclasses, talks and exhibitions around Ballarat.

The program includes expert masterclasses hosted by internationally recognised ceramics artist Vipoo Srivilasa; an interactive craft exhibit by Slow Art Collection of a giant Archiloom in the Annexe of the Art Gallery of Ballarat and a panel discussion of nationally recognised speakers debating whether craft is an art form.

Working in alliance with Craft Victoria, Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC), the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Federation University, Fibre Arts Australia and Sovereign Hill, visitors and locals alike will have the chance to explore trades, arts and crafts in operation.

“The program allows visitors to go behind the scenes of our creative city, with opportunities to meet the makers and learn new creative skills,” Ballarat Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor said.

Visitors will have the chance to discover the array of workspaces where artists gain their inspiration from, including workshops, home studios and gardens, to warehouses and unused spaces.

The program celebrates the masters of art, right through to beginners, – providing experiences in learning a new skill or perfecting an old one.

All events are child-friendly, and the extensive program caters to all ages with art camps, as well as activities at the Art Gallery Ballarat Mining Exchange.

 “As a UNESCO Creative City of Craft and Folk Art, the Ballarat Open Studios program is a comprehensive celebration of our creative skills,” Cr Ben Taylor, said.

‘The inaugural Open Studios program is full of activities and opportunities for people to learn about art, celebrate it, get amongst it and get their hands dirty,” he said.

A taste of what you can expect to see and experience:

Copies of the full program are available at the Ballarat Visitor Information Centre, Town Hall and select locations around the city.

An online timetable and list of activities can be found at craft.creativeballarat.com.au.