Alice Sutton Studio. Photo: Oliver Armstrong.
When you buy direct from a Canberra artist or designer, your heart goes pitter patter. There’s something rewarding about talking directly to the person who has put their soul into creating. It also feels good to support our local economy.
A great way to explore 20 creative Canberra artists is to head to ANCA’s open house on 5 May. This is a rare opportunity to see what really goes on in an artist’s studio. You can watch artists work, buy unique pieces and even try your hand at new techniques. You can explore ‘The Agent’ exhibition. You can ‘chillax’ listening to live music while enjoying food and drink.
ANCA — Australian National Capital Artists Inc — is a non-profit organisation providing affordable and professional studio and exhibition space to artists in Dickson and Mitchell. The open house includes emerging and established artists who practice across a range of art forms like fashion design, jewellery, painting, drawing, ceramics, glass and photography.
Alice Sutton, the designer and maker behind the fashion label ‘Edition’, is one artist welcoming guests into her studio. For Alice, this is an important opportunity to speak to new and existing customers and share the inspiration behind her sustainable design and zero waste pattern making. A graduate of Fashion at the Canberra Institute of Technology (2011), Alice has shown her collections at Fashfest and been on an exciting exchange to Korea. She sells through her ANCA studio and in Assemblage Project, Ori Building, Braddon.
Dan Lorrimer Studio. Photo: Supplied by ANCA.
Dan Lorrimer, an emerging sculptor and designer who graduated from the ANU School of Art (2009), incorporates sculpture and object design in his practices. Backed by a deep understanding of materials and processes, Dan creates new ways to use technology in his art and design.
Emerging sculptural textile artist, Ruby Berry, who graduated with First Class Honours from the ANU School of Art in 2014, uses traditional, natural materials combined with hand spinning and weaving to create contemporary crafted objects that are beautiful and intriguing.
The diversity of art practice showcased at the open house is mind-boggling. Metalsmith Keith Marshall, for example, is a bicycle frame builder working in steel and other medals. It’s serious business since frame making is a ‘near-dead craft’ says Keith.
Other artists include Ruth Oliphant who will be on hand to chat about her kiln-formed glass, Liz Coats, an abstract painter who has exhibited in Australia and overseas, and Alison Jackson, a contemporary jeweller and metalsmith artist.
Ruth Oliphant Studio. Photo: Supplied by ANCA.
Liz Coats Studio. Photo: Supplied by ANCA.
Keith Marshall Studio. Photo: Supplied by ANCA.
Alison Jackson Studio. Photo: Andy Mullens.
Check ANCA’s website for artist studio locations (Dickson or Mitchell). The open house is open from 12 to 4 pm, 5 May.
ANCA Dickson, 1 Rosevear Place Dickson
ANCA Mitchell, 96 Hoskins Street Mitchell
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