Arts Project Australia warmly welcomes everyone to experience the energy, talent and imagination of its studio community at our 2025 Studio Open Day from 11am – 4pm on Sunday 14 September.
This one-day event celebrates neurodivergent artists and artists with intellectual disabilities, whose work continues to shape the landscape of contemporary Australian art.
Visitors can explore our Northcote Studio and experience a packed program of artist-led drop-in workshops, talks, roaming performances, art and merch sales, zine stalls, and live music. Highlights include a studio exhibition, zines and storytelling by Daniel Pace, costume life drawing with Bronwyn Hack, live portraits by Amani Tia, music from local rock legends PARSNIP, and the return of the iconic Retribution Teddy Bears workshop hosted by Adrian Lazzaro. With live entertainment, a roaming MC, and creative activities for all ages.
Free, family friendly event. All welcome!
This event is proudly supported by the Rosey Kids Foundation
Details on activities and workshops:
Time: 11.30am – 12pm
Daniel Pace will read his hand-painted fairytales to an audience of enchanted children and adults alike.
Time: 11.30am – 1pm
APA artists: Bronwyn Hack, Christian Semertzidis, Samantha Ashdown, Paul Hodges.
Life models will don Bronwyn Hacks’ exaggerated bodysuits and pose upon a backdrop of Hacks’ design. Participants enjoy the fruits of the APA studio and draw the exquisite scene.
Time: 1 – 1.45pm
APA artists: Lisa Reid, Mark Smith, Michael Camakaris.
Lisa Reid, Mark Smith, and Michael Camakaris discuss their ceramics practices in conversation with APA Ceramics Specialist Marcel Cooper. This talk is a warm-up for an upcoming panel discussion at WEDGE: Australian Ceramics Triennale in Fremantle.
Time: 2 – 3.30pm
APA artists: James Dawes, Valerio Ciccone, Rakhi James, Andrew Nicolaides
Fan Factor invites participants to draw the musicians they are devoted to, together.
Time: 2 – 3.30pm
APA artists: Adrian Lazzaro, Matt Gove, Monica Lazzari
A fan favourite returns as Adrian Lazzaro demonstrates the art of soft toy zombification/modification and asks you to join in. Teddies will be provided but feel free to BYO bear.
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Arts Project studio is a two-story wheelchair accessible building.
The second story is accessible via lift or stairs.
Wheelchair accessible and gender-neutral toilets available on site.
Artist talks Auslan interpreted.
This is a public event that may be noisy. Those with audio sensory sensitivities are recommended to bring ear protection.
Service animals and guide dogs welcome.
Social pets are unable to be inside the studio.
You will not be able to drive down the street to be dropped off directly in front of the studio. Cars and taxis can drop visitors off at Cunningham or Walker Street. Please call us if you have any questions about accessibility on (03) 9482 4484.
Getting Here
The closest tram to the Studio is the 86 Tram.
Stop #506, on Westgarth/High Street is the closest stop. It is 100 metres from this stop to the studio.
The 250 and 251 (Cunningham/High Street), and the 506 (Westgarth St/McLachlan St) stops are less than 300 metres from the studio.
Westgarth Station and Rushall Station are the closes train station and less than a 400 metres from the studio.
Please note there is Limited parking in the surrounding streets.
We recommend travelling via public transport were possible.
