This week in Canberra, stock up on fresh food at the Capital Region Farmers Markets, make art at the aMBUSH Gallery, and head to the Australian War Memorial to see the Ink in the Lines Exhibition. Have a family adventure at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and don’t miss eX de Medici talk about her amazing artwork at the National Gallery on Thursday.
Have a great week, Canberra!
Friday
Life Drawing Workshops @ Kambri
When: Friday 15 January, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: aMBUSH Gallery, Kambri Cultural Centre
Cost: Free
Tickets: Register your place via Eventbrite.
Come down to aMBUSH Gallery, Kambri for a mixed media life drawing workshop.
Practise observation and explore drawing techniques while experimenting with rendering and the relationship between forms in a virtual life drawing workshop with Jade Kellett. Materials are provided and all skill levels welcome.
Eastlake Open Court Tennis Sessions
When: Friday 15 January, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Eastlake Tennis Club, Flinders Way, Griffith
Cost: $5 per person, bookings essential.
Are you keen for a social and fun hit of tennis? Why not join Eastlake Tennis Club for their Open Court Session on Friday, 15 January from 5.30 pm? Since its establishment in 1942, Eastlake Tennis Club (previously known as Flinders Tennis Club) has built a strong reputation as a friendly and inclusive tennis club.
There will be great food from Selvam’s Dosas and drinks from Capital Brewing Co, and music from a local DJ.
Saturday
Ink in the Lines: Tattoos in the Australian military
When: Open until 16 May, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
Where: Australian War Memorial, Treloar Crescent, Campbell
Cost: Free, booking by timed ticketing online.
Inscribed on skin are their identities as veterans, the commemoration of loss, experiences of trauma and overcoming adversity, the bonds of family and friends, and acknowledging the experiences that make us who we are. Learn more about the history of tattoos within the Australian Defence Forces. Podcasts, videos and articles are also available through the AWM’s online exhibition.
The Ink in the Lines exhibition is on display at the Australian War Memorial until 16 May. A free Galleries and Commemorative Area ticket also includes access to special exhibitions.
Peril in the Parliament
When: Thursdays and Saturdays 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House, 18 King George’s Terrace
Cost: Adult $29, child (12+) $25 bookings essential.
If you’re still searching for that unique Christmas gift or just want to try something new over the holidays, a brand new experience at the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) – part whodunit, part riddle room – could be just the ticket. Peril in the Parliament – the Silent Speaker, set in the House of Representatives Chamber, will flex your teamwork skills while you solve puzzles and earn clues. Feel free to don 1930s garb – or not, as you prefer – while you enjoy Old Parliament House after hours.
Capital Region Farmers Market
When: Saturday 16 January from 7:30 am to 11:00 am
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Flemington Road, Mitchell
Cost: Free.
The Capital Region Farmers Market is a community project run by the Rotary Club of Hall, the only rural Rotary Club in the ACT. The Club is pleased to do something positive to underpin the growing agri-business opportunities in the region, provide a direct and unbroken link between food producers and customers, offer a great seasonal food experience and support important regional community projects.
Sunday
Birds of Paradise – Ellis Rowan in New Guinea
When: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily until 8 March 2021
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place
Cost: Free.
Drawing material from the Library’s vast Rowan holdings, this exhibition presents some of Ellis Rowan’s best paintings from her New Guinea period and provides an opportunity to engage with a less familiar part of her work.
Ellis Rowan (1848–1922) is one of Australia’s most celebrated artists. Best known for her striking wildflower paintings – many of which are held by the National Library of Australia – Rowan also had an interest in birds. In 1916 and 1917, when she was almost 70 years old, she had the opportunity to fulfil a long-held desire to spend time painting professionally in New Guinea.
Monday
Kite Making at the National Arboretum
When: Monday 18 January and Tuesday 19 January. Sessions at 9:00 am, 10:00 am and 11:00 am
Where: National Arboretum Canberra
Ages: 5 years and older. One adult may attend per group
Cost: $15 per child, adults free
Tickets: Buy your tickets for Monday and Tuesday.
The National Arboretum Canberra is hosting a Kite Making session on Monday 18 January and Tuesday 19 January.
After making the kite, kids can fly it over the scenic hills of the Arboretum! (And yes, they can take their creations home too.)
Wednesday
Indigenous Family Workshop | Culture on the Move at Kambri
When: 19 January 2021 to 21 January 2021, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Drama Theatre, Cultural Centre Kambri (ANU Building 153), University Avenue, Acton
Cost: $55 for a family of two, $80 for a family of three, $105 for a family of four. Bookings essential.
aMBUSH Gallery is giving kids the opportunity to get their hands dirty with Indigenous art & craft workshops, as a part of HERE I AM: Art By Great Women. From 19 to 21 January, kids and families can learn about First Nation’s culture in the Culture on the Move workshop.
Secrets of the Australian Bush – A Family Adventure
When: Wednesday 20 January, 10.00 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 3:00 pm
Where: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Cost: Free.
Join the Australian National Botanic Gardens for a family-friendly Flora Explorer bus tour and discover the amazing secrets of the plants that live in the Australian bush. You will travel on the magical Flora bus, walk through the Rainforest Gully, visit the Red Centre Garden and finish at the enchanting Paperbark Treehouse.
This tour designed for children 4 to 10 years old who must be accompanied by a parent or carer for the one-hour tour.
Thursday
Thursday Art Talk – eX de Medici
When: Thursday 21 January, 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Level 1
Cost: Free, bookings essential. Tickets available online.
Artist eX de Medici discusses her work on display in the exhibition Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now.
eX de Medici is a voice of dissent in the Australian art world, known for her drawings and watercolours that use motifs of skull, helmets, and gas marks entwined with flowers and ornament to interrogate the nexus of power, violence and greed.