Everyone is invited to the National Gallery of Australia this Saturday for its community Open Studio, where visitors can take part in creative activities in the newly launched Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery and the Tim Fairfax Studio.

There will be a gallery-wide program of events and creative activities for the whole family including life drawing, poetry, drawing games, workshops, and photography—you can take your family portrait in Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia.

Visitors can enjoy performances by the Faumuis Family Band and Sing Australia, as well as a talk by contemporary artist Vernon Ah Kee, a member of the Kuku Yalandji, Waanji, Yidinji and Gugu Yimithirr peoples.

The new facilities have been made possible by a major gift from National Gallery of Australia Foundation Board director Tim Fairfax AC, a champion of arts education and arts accessibility.

National Gallery of Australia Director Nick Mitzevich said education was an important part of the Gallery’s agenda.

“To make an impact in the 21st century we need to have specialised learning facilities in the Gallery, as well as dedicated online and travelling programs to share those learning opportunities with people throughout Australia,” he said.

Located on Level 2, the Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery will host two dedicated exhibitions a year, especially curated for younger audiences, and the Tim Fairfax Studio has been developed as a flexible workspace that supports students, families and people of all ages and abilities in hands-on arts activity.

The Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery’s first exhibition Body Language explores the identity of Australia’s diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

There will also be mobile learning studios for guests to get creative in exhibition spaces. This weekend they can drop into Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia and be inspired by artist Eko Nugroho to create their own zine.

Worimi artist Krystal Hurst will be teaching weaving and jewellery making in the Gallery’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries.

“I hope visitors will also get a chance to explore the National Gallery and see the plethora of Indigenous art as well as the new Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery and Studio. It’s a must see,” she said.

The Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery and Studio are open 7 days a week, free of charge. During the week, the Studio will be available for booking by schools, education and community groups.

the essentials

What: Open Studio: Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery and Studio Launch
When: Saturday 12 October 10am – 4pm
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
How much: Free
Web: nga.gov.au/learningstudio

This article is presented in partnership with the National Gallery of Australia.