Craft + Design Festival 2024

Craft + Design Festival celebrates Canberra as a creative capital and a global city of design and returns again for its tenth year with Canberra Centre proud to be a Major Partner. Running from 1 to 10 November, Canberrans can enjoy an exciting program of exhibitions and activations responding to the Festival theme of “Regenerate”. 

Connecting Canberra’s community with over 500 artists, craftspeople, designers and architects, the 2024 Festival advocates for design thinking, collaboration, and making by hand to generate innovation and solve problems for our future. 

This year’s festival includes exhibitions, talks, tours, activations, markets, collaborations, artist studios and open homes will once again transform the nation’s capital into a new platform for the best in design. The festival, now in its 8th year, is for all interests and ages and most events are free. Here are a few of our top picks from the festival: 

Workshop: Yarn Sticks with Harry’s Clarry (Kamilaroi)

Canberra Centre 

Join First Nations artist Harry’s Clarry (Kamilaroi) to make your own personal Yarn Stick and tell your story through colour and weaving. Yarn Sticks are a sustainable craft using natural sticks, emu feathers, natural weaving materials and reclaimed yarn. Running at 3.30pm & 5.30pm on Friday 8 November, tickets at $25 general or $20 for members BOOK NOW.

 

Exhibition: Hannah Gason Shades of Shadows 

Canberra Museum and Gallery

In the exhibition Shades of Shadows, contemporary glass artist Hannah Gason continues her exploration of light and its ability to both articulate and create an illusion of space. Working with the interaction of light and architectural forms, Gason looks to the work of pioneer abstractionist Frank Hinder. Light, movement, harmony and order, and later, geometry and luminosity were integral to Hinder's work as he designed many of the decorative elements of Canberra's centre, including Monaro Mall and Civic Square. Running until 17 November at Canberra Muesum and Gallery, free with no booking required. Find out more HERE. 

 

Open Studios

Across Canberra

Step inside the studios of Canberra’s makers from 9–10 November and gain insights into the creative practices of craftspeople, designers, artists and arts organisations across the Canberra region. Proudly supported by home.byholly. Find out more HERE. 

 

Exhibition: Urban Biome

Civic Square

Urban Biome is a site-specific modular art installation demonstrating ways in which regenerative design, reuse of materials and endemic plants can be incorporated into public space. Urban Biome is a collaborative work created by Thor Diesendorf from Thor’s Hammer, glass artist Spike Deane from the Canberra Glassworks, and horticulturalist David Taylor from Ephemeral Country. Supported by City Renewal Authority and Yarralumla Nursery. Open from 1 November 10am to 30 November 4pm in Civic Square free with no bookings needed. Find out more HERE.

 

Workshop: Regenerate and Play: Vintage Glass Construction – Siru Tuomisto 

Civic


Join international visiting Finnish artist Siru Tuomisto in a fun sculpture workshop that explores the value of everyday objects. Bring in an old object that has significance to you and learn how to regenerate it into a new, playful and exciting work of art. Siru will guide you through a process of play, observation and construction using vintage glass, ceramics, wood and metal objects, creating composite sculptures. Running on 4 November 5.30pm at Craft + Design Canberra, cost $120 General Admission, $95 members, Find out more HERE.

With so much on across the Craft + Design Canberra Festival you won’t want to miss a thing! Discover the full Festival program HERE.