Hands on Studio, 2025. Image courtesy of Cassie Abraham.

M16 Artspace Open Day

When: Saturday November 7, 10am – 4pm
Where: M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith
Cost: Free

On Saturday 7 November, from 10am to 4pm, M16 Artspace invites the community behind the scenes for its annual Open Day.

Since 1985, M16 Artspace has been a home for artists and creative exchange in Canberra. Open Day is a chance to explore working studios, meet resident artists, and connect with local arts organisations while discovering more about the people and practices that make up the M16 community.

This event is presented as part of the 2026 Craft + Design Canberra Open Studios + Organisations Open Day.

craftanddesignfestival.org

What’s On?

10am - 4pm
Open Studios
Over 25 M16 Artspace Studio Artists will have their studios open to the public. Drop in to meet with the artists, some of whom will have works available for sale.

10am - 4pm
Open Workshops - M16 Artspace is home to 5 independent workshop spaces, Artist Society of Canberra, Canberra Art Workshop, Hands on Studio, NatureArt Lab and studioMAP. Open Day is a great chance to chat with each Workshop about their upcoming programs and classes on the day!

10am - 4pm
Exhibitions - The M16 Galleries will be open from 10am - 4pm on Open Day. See more details below for whats on show.

12:30 - 2:30pm
Free Wine Tasting - Join our fantastic sponsors, Quarry Hill Wines, as they provide a free wine tasting of their specialty wines! Bottles will be available for sale on the da.

2pm
Artist Talk - Join exhibiting artists from Bespoke Utopia in conversation with M16 Artspace’s General Manager, Lucy Chetcuti.

Who’s Around?

M16 Artspace’s resident studio artists and organisations will have their doors open to the public, sharing their practice and activities. Many will be hosting demonstrations, and selling artworks and merchandise!

Independent Organisations

Studio Artists

Louise Allerton

Ross Andrews
Di Broomhall
BYRD (Dan Maginnity)
Katherine Campbell
Elisa Crossing
Lynne Flemons
Helen Goodwin
Hanna Hoyne
Nathan Hughes
Bronwynne Jones
Sophie Kihara-Murer

James Lieutenant
Fiona Little
Mark Mohell
Melissa Nickols
Meelan Oh
Peachey & Mosig
Julie Pennington
Stefanie Schulte
Kerry Shepherdson
Meg Stuart
Kate Vassallo

Kelsie White

Learn more about M16 Artspace’s current Studio Artists below!

Detail of Elisa Crossings studio, 2025. Image courtesy of Cassie Abraham

Artist Society of Canberra
Canberra Art Workshop
Hands on Studio
NatureArt Lab
studioMAP

Learn more about the independently run Arts Orgasations housed at M16 Artspace below!

studioMAP, 2025. Image courtesy of Cassie Abraham

Quarry Hill Wines | Free Wine Tasting

Quarry Hill Wines at M16 Artspace. Image courtesy of M16 Artspace.

7 November

12:30 - 2:30pm

Join our valued sponsor Quarry Hill Wines for a complimentary wine tasting.

Sample a selection of their specialty wines, meet the team behind the label, and discover your next favourite drop. If something catches your palate, bottles will also be available for purchase to take home and enjoy.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience some of the region's finest wines during your visit.

Quarry Hill Wines

Panel Talk | Gavin Bradstreet and Jessica Spencer in conversation with Lucy Chetcuti

2026 Events

Public Programs | Panel Talk with Gavin Bradstreet and Jessica Spencer

7 November 2026

2 - 3pm

Join exhibiting artists Gavin Bradstreet and Jessica Spencer for an insightful conversation centred on Bespoke Utopia, currently on show at M16 Artspace. Moderated by curator Lucy Chetcuti, this panel discussion will explore the artists' individual practices, their shared commitment to slow design methodologies, and the ways in which making can become an act of resistance in an increasingly fast-paced, consumption-driven world.

Through reflections on process, materiality, labour and care, Bradstreet and Spencer will discuss how their work challenges dominant systems of production and value, offering alternative visions for how we create, connect and imagine the future. Audiences are invited to gain deeper insight into the ideas underpinning Bespoke Utopia and engage with the role of art-making as a form of thoughtful dissent and social commentary.

Learn more