Step inside the creative spaces of Canberra’s makers this November

Posted on 24 October, 2025

Craft + Design Canberra’s Open Studios program returns in November, offering Canberrans a rare glimpse into the private workspaces where creativity happens.

The hum of a pottery wheel, the glow of molten glass, the rhythmic click of a loom – these are the sounds that fill Canberra’s studios every day, largely hidden from public view. But this November, dozens of local artists are throwing open their doors for something special.

Supported by Home by Holly, Craft + Design Canberra’s Open Studios program returns across the first two weekends of November, offering Canberrans a rare glimpse into the private workspaces where creativity happens. It’s not a gallery. It’s not a market. It’s the real deal – artists in their element, surrounded by works-in-progress, tools, and the beautiful chaos of making.

Running from 10 am to 4 pm on 1-2 November and 8-9 November, the free program spans the region, taking visitors into home studios, shared creative spaces, and arts organisations that form the backbone of Canberra’s craft scene.

Where the magic happens

Visiting an artist in their studio creates an intimacy you won’t find anywhere else. You’re not just seeing finished pieces – you’re witnessing the process, the failed experiments gathering dust in the corner, the breakthrough moments captured mid-creation. It’s a rare chance to connect with the creative journey and to take home something truly special. With many works available for purchase, it’s also the perfect opportunity to find unique, handmade gifts just in time for Christmas.

Walk into the space where glass artist Judy Witherdin shapes her delicate glass mosaic works, where ceramic artists Bev Hogg and Kaye Pemberton, along with textile artist Annie Trevillian showcase sculptural pieces, ceramic bowls and mugs, and hand screen printed textiles (catch them on Saturday of the first weekend), and where ceramic artist Sarit Cohen crafts elegant porcelain pieces (Saturday only).

The first weekend brings together an impressive collection of solo and collaborative studios. Textile artist Julie Ryder opens her space again (a returning favourite for those who visited in previous years), while mixed media artist Kirstin Guenther welcomes visitors to explore her textiles pieces and lampshades. One of the weekend’s highlights is the collaborative Open Studios at Strathnairn Arts, featuring five ceramic artists: Karen Cromwell, Lea Durie, Lisa Lokki, Emina Adriaans, and Elena Bozhko Marshall. Also at Strathnairn, mixed media artist Sally Black opens her studio to visitors throughout the weekend.

Weekend two shifts the focus slightly, welcoming organisations into the mix alongside individual makers. Canberra Glassworks will demonstrate the mesmerising art of glassblowing, while Canberra Potters opens its community hub where clay takes infinite forms. M16 Artspace and Thor’s Hammer (both Saturday only) round out the organisational offerings, each bringing their unique flavour to Canberra’s creative ecosystem.

Meeting the makers

Fashion designer and creator of the EDITION label Alice van Meurs returns for the second weekend (Saturday only), this time alongside ceramic artist Joanne Searle, while glass artist Lisa Cahill and designer Lelde Vitols open their studios for the full weekend. The program showcases remarkable diversity – from the collaborative woodwork of Hiroshi Yamaguchi and Ben Laffan to glass artist Harriet Schwarzrock’s distinctive approach, from ceramicist Jacky Lo’s creative vision, to the partnership of glass artists Robert Schwartz and Rose-Mary Faulkner.

Open Studios excels at creating direct connections between makers and visitors. More than viewing opportunities, they’re conversations waiting to happen. Ask about techniques, learn why certain materials were chosen, discover what inspires these makers to create. And if something catches your eye, you can purchase directly from the artist, knowing your investment goes straight to the person who made it.

Supporting local creativity

For over five decades, Craft + Design Canberra has championed the city’s creative community, working to ensure craftspeople, designers, and artists have the support and recognition they deserve. Open Studios embodies this mission perfectly – creating pathways for public engagement while celebrating the incredible talent that calls our region home.

The program spans an impressive range of disciplines. Glass and ceramics sit alongside textiles and mixed media. Jewellery makers work near woodworkers. Contemporary approaches meet traditional techniques. It’s this diversity that makes Canberra’s craft scene so dynamic, and Open Studios lets you experience it all in one (or two) weekends.

Whether you’re an art collector seeking your next piece, a budding maker hoping to learn from established artists, or simply curious about what happens behind closed studio doors, you’ll find something genuinely rewarding about these weekends. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the skill, patience, and vision required to transform raw materials into beautiful objects.

Plan your weekend(s)

Check out the Craft + Design Canberra website for information on which studios are open and when, and use the interactive Google map to easily plan your visits.

There’s also a handy flyer designed to help people find their way across the different days. You can download a copy here or stop by the Craft + Design Canberra office to grab one.

Image of Teffany Thiedman’s Open Studio by Tim Ngo.