Oyster Pilates, the Million Paws Walk and a lakeside Autumn Art Fair: 60 events happening this week in Canberra
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You read that headline right.
This week, you can stretch and slurp at the unique oyster-and-pilates fusion event by MBK x The Oyster Stand, join furry friends for a good cause at the Million Paws Walk, or discover local artistry at the Autumn Art Fair at The Little Burley Markets.
With 60 events happening across the capital, here’s your guide to making the most of this week’s most exciting offerings.
Special Events and Festivals
Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea at Stella’s
Join the community in supporting cancer research and support services at this year’s Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser. Over cups of tea, homemade treats, and friendly conversation, come together to make a meaningful difference for Australians affected by cancer.
This beloved annual event welcomes participants, support workers, families, and all community members to connect while contributing to a vital cause. Enjoy raffles and delicious goodies in the warm atmosphere of Stellas Café, with flexible donation options making it accessible for everyone.
Thursday 22 May 2025 | 9 am | Stella’s By The Lake, 1 Beissel Street, Belconnen
Free creative workshops for women at The Tradies
For women who appreciate unique creative outlets (without the hefty price tag), The Tradies has curated complimentary experiences that speak to the artistic spirit.
On Friday 23 May, local artist Nessa Lovell brings her distinctive talent to the venue with a free Aura Painting workshop. Participants will discover the fascinating intersection of art and energy as Nessa guides them through creating personalised artwork that captures something far more meaningful than a simple portrait – all without spending a dollar.
Following this, fragrance enthusiasts can indulge in a free Perfume Making Workshop with Instala DIY Studio on Saturday 24 May. This sensory adventure allows attendees to craft their own signature scent – an experience that transforms a typically commercial product into something deeply personal and unique.
On Sunday 25 May, respected Canberra stylist Kimberley Hunt hosts a free Styling Workshop, offering practical advice for wardrobe refreshes that work specifically for Canberra’s distinct seasons and lifestyle. From navigating our frigid winters to making the most of those glorious spring days, Kimberley’s local expertise makes this workshop particularly valuable for Canberrans. Book your spot at the free Styling Workshop with Kimberley Hunt here.
Friday 23 May (Aura Painting), Saturday 24 May (Perfume Making) and Sunday 25 May (Styling) | Dickson Tradies, 2 Badham Street, Dickson | Find out more at thetradies.com.au or call club reception on 6162 5656.
The Powder Room Pop-Up
Beauty lovers are going to want to block out their calendars for Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May, as the iconic Zoë Foster Blake’s skincare line Go To brings its peachy pink Powder Room pop-up to the Canberra Centre.
Bubbles, skin chat, and free skincare gifts? What’s not to love? Created in partnership with MECCA, The Powder Room is basically…well, a mecca…for skin care junkies looking to get their fix for unwinding and skincare-ing. Go for the glass skin and stay for the glam, cause this will be one skincare sanctuary you won’t want to leave.
Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May | Level G, The Canberra Centre, City | gotoskincare.com
.BeFair
Hosted by the Embassy of Belgium in conjunction with the French and Slovenian embassies, this fun-filled fair is celebrating World Bee Day! Take the entire family along for a great day, including bee-themed tours, live music, food and drink, a jumping castle and more! And if that’s not enough, your contributions will help support the Ukrainian beekeepers.
Saturday 24 May | Embassy of Belgium, 19 Arkana Street, Yarralumla | sites.google.com
The Dictionary of Lost Words
In 1901, the word bondmaid was discovered to be missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. The Dictionary of Lost Words is the story of the girl who stole it.
South Australian novelist Pip Williams’ internationally best-selling book, comes to vivid life in this critically acclaimed stage adaptation by South Australian playwright, Verity Laughton.
Until Saturday 24 May | Canberra Theatre Centre | Tickets from canberratheatrecentre.com.au
MBK x The Oyster Stand
Name a better combination than Pilats and oysters? Grab your mat and head along to Gorman Arts to participate in a class by Movement by Katie as she takes you through a fluid movement experience inspired by the ocean and the oyster. Then, you’ll be treated to a curated three-course oyster experience, that profiles the East Coast’s best rock oysters, complete with a matched wine.
Saturday 24 May | Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon | Book here.
Jamala Wildlife Lodge Open Days
Curious about Australia’s most luxurious wildlife lodge? Jamala Wildlife Lodge is opening its doors for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours this May. Experience the five-star accommodations including stunning uShaka lodge suites, a Giraffe Treehouse and a Jungle Bungalow, plus preview the award-winning Cave Restaurant.
These guided 50-minute tours offer a rare glimpse into what makes Jamala a truly extraordinary experience where luxury meets wildlife conservation. Meet the team, bring your questions, and discover how you can sleep just meters from some of the world’s most magnificent animals.
Sunday 25 May , tours every half hour from 1 pm–4 pm | Jamala Wildlife Lodge, National Zoo & Aquarium | nationalzoo.com.au
Million Paws Walk 2025
Take your family and furry friends to the Patrick White Lawns for a fun-filled walk to help raise funds for animals in need! After the walk, stick around to enjoy food, music, retail stalls, prizes and more.
Sunday 25 May | Patrick White Lawns, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | millionpawswalk.com.au
Markets
The Autumn Art Fair at The Little Burley Markets
Go celebrate one of the most beautiful times of the year on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin with the return of The Autumn Art Fair. Amongst a backdrop of spectacular autumn beauty, you’ll meet an assortment of painters, sculptors, ceramicists, photographers, jewellers, designers and more.
Saturday 24 May | The Little Burley Market, Queen Elizabeth TCE, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Canberra Winter Gem & Mineral Show
The Canberra Lapidary Club Winter Show features minerals, fossils, opals, rough and cut gemstones and jewellery. Visit the Age of Fishes Museum for information and exhibits with displays of members’ collections and Cabochon.
Saturday 24 May and Sunday 25 May | Mallee Pavilion, EPIC, Flemington Road, Mitchell | canberralapidary.org.au
Bricks at Woden School
Each year, the Woden School P&C partners with the Canberra LEGO User Group (CLUG) for Bricks at The Woden School, a small, fun event that raises money for this amazing school. Thus year, over 70 LEGO displays will be on display, and there will be competitions, raffles, a sausage sizzle, stalls, face painting, and even Devonshire tea available.
Saturday 24 May and Sunday 25 May | The Woden School, 121 Denison Street, Deakin | thewodens.act.edu.au
Capital Region Farmers Market
Sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra. Speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Haig Park Village Markets
Browse delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities. It’s the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Sundays, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Food and Wine
Spice Week at Verity Lane
Spice Week is turning up the heat at Verity Lane Market with a diverse and delicious lineup of spicy dishes across all six of their vendors.
From mild to wild, there’s a flavour for every spice level
Until Saturday 24 May | Verity Lane Market, Verity Lane, Canberra City | veritylanemarket.com.au
Introductory Wine Appreciation Class
Go along and learn some basics of wine in a fun, friendly environment! An intro wine appreciation class is a fuss-free introduction to wine and the Canberra wine region. You’ll discover the essential elements of wine, how wine is made, food and wine pairing – and you get to do all this by tasting through a hand-picked selection of quality Canberra wines.
Sunday 25 May | Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre, Parkes | canberracellardoor.com.au
Margarita May
Midnight Bar is turning limes into good times this May, with a month-long celebration of everyone’s favourite cocktail – the margarita. And you can celebrate Margarita May by designing your own custom margarita! Simply choose your tequila, triple sec, citrus, sweetener and salt to create a cocktail that’s truly unique to you. Prefer to keep things simple? Sip your way through four limited-edition house margaritas, each with its own distinctive twist. And yes – frozen margs are also on the menu.
Here for a good time, not a long time – pop in for a cheeky marg, any day of the week from 3 pm ‘til late.
Until Saturday 31 May | Midnight Hotel, Ground Floor/1 Elouera Street, Braddon | midnightbar.com.au
Stage and Screen
Tania Dutel
With her distinctive, straightforward, and edgy tone, Tania Dutel once again addresses intimate subjects that are often taboo. She also discusses the flaws of a more and more prudish society regarding sex. Just a note: this show will be performed in French!
Tuesday 20 May | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, City| thestreet.org.au
German Film Festival
Expect to see a dynamic line-up of contemporary German cinema featuring thought-provoking dramas, insightful documentaries, delightful comedies and charming family films. The festival includes several films arriving directly from the 2025 Berlinale.
Until Wednesday 21 May | Palace Cinemas, New Acton | germanfilmfestival.com.au
‘The Male Complaint: The Manosphere and Misogyny Online’
Join us for an interesting conversation with Dr Hannah Leary and author Dr. Simon Copland, to celebrate the launch of his latest book The Male Complaint. This insightful book dares to dig into the corners of incel communities and online spaces where misogyny thrives. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand, and do something about this growing and worrying phenomenon.
In The Male Complaint, Simon Copland explains how the manosphere has developed and why it appeals to so many men. He argues that the manosphere is not an aberration, but is deeply embedded within mainstream, neoliberal, social structures. For a cohort of alienated men, the promise of community provides a space of understanding, connection, and purpose.
Thursday 22 May, 5:30 pm–7 pm | RSSS Auditorium, Australian National University, Acton | anu.edu.au
Club Sandwich Comedy hosted by Chris Ryan
Get in quick for the hilarious return of Club Sandwich Comedy, hosted by national headliner Chris Ryan. Ryan has taken out major awards at some of the country’s biggest and most prestigious comedy and arts festivals, including Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Sydney Comedy Festival.
Thursday 22 May | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
The Maids By Jean Genet & Translated by Martin Crimp
Loosely inspired by a famous double-murder case, this gripping psychological thriller explores power, identity, and rebellion. Jean Genet’s classic play has scandalised audiences since 1947, and Martin Crimp’s translation captures the brilliance and energy of his writing in what is one of the great plays of the 20th century.
Friday 23 May until Saturday 8 June | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, City | thestreet.org.au
If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You
Halloween. A small town in the west of Ireland. There’s a party to get to and Mikey and Casey have everything they need . . . Booze. Cash. Drugs. Each other. The only problem is they’re stuck. Stuck on a roof. Stuck together. And as they wait for the Guards to stop circling the house, they find out there are some truths you just can’t climb down from.
Until Saturday 24 May | ACT Hub at Causeway Hall | acthub.com.au
Film night: The Pollinators
This captivating documentary follows migratory beekeepers and their precious cargo of honey bees, as they set out on an epic journey across the USA to pollinate flowers that will
soon become fruits, nuts and vegetables. Head along to watch the film uncovers the challenges faced by both bees and beekeepers and explores the vulnerabilities of a chemically reliant agricultural system. Through insightful conversations with farmers, scientists, chefs, and academics, The Pollinators underscores the critical importance of these tiny creatures to our global food security, offering pathways towards a more sustainable future.
Saturday 24 May | ANU Film Group, Acton | events.humanitix.com
Psychology of Serial Killers
Get ready for a chilling and captivating live experience as The Psychology of Serial Killers makes its way to Australia in 2025. Presented by renowned forensic psychologist Dr. Rachel Toles, this 90-minute masterclass will uncover the shocking truths behind serial killers and the psychology that drives them to commit unimaginable crimes.
Sunday 25 May | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, Canberra | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Music
Tommy Emmanuel
Since he last took to the Canberra Theatre Centre stage, Australia’s internationally acclaimed acoustic guitar icon Tommy Emmanuel CGP has added Grammy award winner to his vast list of accolades. Tommy brings the power and dynamism of a full band to his solo acoustic playing.
Tuesday 20 May | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Viola Classics!
Raised in Canberra and living in Berlin for the last ten years, violist Alexina Hawkins is returning to Wesley Music Centre with acclaimed pianist Dr. Edward Neeman for an unforgettable performance. Their recital will journey through the rich history of viola music, featuring the contrasting voices of Carl Stamitz (1745–1801) and Béla Bartók (1881–1945).
Wednesday 21 May | Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | Book here.
Charm Of Finches
Australian sister duo Charm of Finches delivers intricate folk-pop that is simultaneously graceful and darkly bewitching. Their seamless blood harmonies traverse melancholy and wonder in equal measure. Here, they return with a full band line-up, performing songs from their latest album as well as exciting new material.
Friday 23 May | The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, City | thestreet.org.au
Saturday Salon: Ben Hoadley The Bassoon
Join CSO Bassoonist, Ben Hoadley as he charts a journey through the fascinating history of the Bassoon – the deepest member of the woodwind family. Explore the instruments rich and dynamic repertoire through a presentation of works, from the Renaissance and classical periods, alongside a program of present pieces by Canberra composers.
Saturday 24 May | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
Old Mervs – Album Tour
Australia’s fastest-rising indie-rock outfit and loveable larrikins Old Mervs are heading on an mammoth tour around Australia and New Zealand in 2025. Don’t miss as WA duo as they celebrate the release of their highly awaited debut album.
Sunday 25 May | UC Refectory, 1 Kirinari Street, Bruce | ucx.canberra.edu.au
Maruki Community Orchestra Concert
Maruki Community Orchestra presents ‘Dreams’ to be held on Sunday 25 May. The program will comprise of A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture (Mendelssohn), Piano concerto No. 2 (Beethoven) – featuring soloist Cornelia Dragusin, and Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13 (Tchaikovsky).
Sunday 25 May | Albert Hall, Commonwealth Avenue, City | marukicommunityorchestra.org.au
Exhibitions
Johnny Romeo – SLAYMAKERS
This Australian contemporary pop artist influences the aesthetic of Warholian pop with a street art speed, referencing recent and current popular culture. Opening on Thursday 22 May, the latest exhibition channels “the spirit and Sheer Determination of female empowerment”, seeing comic book heroines and art history icons come to life.
As one of the biggest names in pop art today, you’ll want to see this!
Opening Thursday 22 May | Building 3.3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Convergent Realities
An Adelaide-based artist, Marcel Hoogstad is interested in the ways people perceive the world, space, time and matter. Using this as inspiration – including the way the physical influences spacetime forces in the universe – he has worked with traditional Venetian techniques to create stunning works of glass.
Opening Thursday 22 May | Building 3.3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
The beautiful place where we live by An Pan
Canberra based artist An Pan’s Australian landscape exhibition is a true record of the natural scenery of the cities and countryside he has lived and visited in the past 35 years. From these paintings you can see Australia’s unique natural scenery, historical buildings and human culture.
Friday 23 May until Sunday 6 July | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
GW Bot: Portrait of a landscape
For the past four decades artist GW Bot has been based in Canberra, specifically in Belconnen, and has worked in the surrounding landscape of the Monaro plateau, the remnant grasslands of Canberra and the Murrumbidgee River corridor. Her work views nature and landscape as active collaborators.
Friday 23 May until Sunday 6 July | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
HABITAT – An Open Printmaking Exhibition
Printmakers from throughout Australia are being invited to respond to the theme of what HABITAT means to them. Explore the beauty of these precious ecosystems, suburban, industrial, and other built landscapes. All finalist works will be eligible for selection in the AUD500 People’s Choice Award.
Friday 23 May until Sunday 6 July | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Rendering the Invisible by Igor Kochovski
The exhibition revolves around the themes of seeing and transforming – a certain fascination with the physical world in which the visible coexists and is in constant dialogue with the invisible, gave impetus to the works and formed the common thread between them.
Friday 23 May until Sunday 6 July | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Camel trains to steel wheels
Explore a colourful chapter of Australia’s history at National Archives’ exhibition Camel trains to steel wheels: life on the Trans-Australian Railway.
This exhibition features fascinating archival records, photos and footage that captured the events and challenges from the railway’s first 60 years, including its impact on First Nations people.From the construction effort and its diverse workforce to the unique lives of communities that sprang up along the line, this is a must-see exhibition for those who revel in Australia’s railway history through time and place.
Opening Saturday 24 May | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue,
Parkes | naa.gov.au
Our Home
Coinciding with the Heritage Festival, local artist Alex Lynn’s solo exhibition celebrates the beauty of everyday moments and the serenity of familiar landscapes across our region through a series of intimate oil paintings.
Alex’s work focuses on the urban-infused landscapes of Queanbeyan and its surroundings, capturing the essence of places Alex feels a deep connection to. His paintings reflect the calming atmosphere and stunning light of the region, offering viewers a chance to pause and visually immerse themselves in scenes from daily life – blending the ordinary with the extraordinary.
Until Saturday 24 May | Rusten House Art Centre, 87 Collett Street, Queanbeyan | Find out more here.
FAKE & FAMOUS
FAKE & FAMOUS invites local artists to reinterpret some of history’s most famous artworks. This diverse collection of work spans painting, collage and sculpture, offering fresh perspectives on well-known masterpieces from artists like Monet, Frida Kahlo, and Van Gogh, among others.
Participating artists have taken on the exciting challenge of reimagining iconic works—some creating near-identical replicas, while others offer abstract or conceptual interpretations. The exhibition explores themes of homage, parody, and artistic transformation.
Until Saturday 24 May | Rusten House Art Centre, 87 Collett Street, Queanbeyan | Find out more here.
Stilleven
Stilleven is an exhibition of glass work by Rose-Mary Faulkner, considering connections to places and objects as both self portraiture and representative of lived experience and narrative.
Softly focused compositions of domestic settings form an avenue to explore dynamics of the absence and presence of people and bodies, connection to environments we embody and the way objects can exist as metaphors.
Touching Space – Madeline Cardone
Experience Madeline Cardone’s captivating exhibition “Touching Space” at COX Gallery, where glass and drawing converge to explore the relationship between body, space, and form. This thoughtful exhibition examines how fleeting physical encounters become embedded in bodily memory, and investigates the connection between intangible memory and tangible materials.
Showing until Friday 6 June, 9 am-5 pm daily | COX Gallery, 1/19 Eastlake Parade, Kingston
Traced Life
Experience the poignant paintings of Racheal Bruhn and John Nelson in this moving exhibition exploring shadows and echoes of past stories.
Bruhn’s reflective watercolour installation uses leaves as motifs to grapple with grief and family history, creating a family tree with five hundred leaves representing years lived by her loved ones. Meanwhile, Nelson’s works emerge from observations of his surroundings—evening walks, gardens and overlooked objects—presenting diptychs that invite viewers to complete broken narratives. Together, they offer perspectives on time, place and fractured stories that resonate with us all.
Until Sunday 8 June | M16artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | Find out more at m16artspace.com.au
SPLIT OPEN
Discover Natasha Tareen’s captivating debut solo exhibition, rooted in the mythological and folkloric elements of Central and South Asia. Through deeply personal and ancestral narratives, Tareen explores brown femininity, bodily autonomy and generational memory, drawing from her Afghan heritage.
Figures emerge from dreamlike spaces, hovering between presence and disappearance, while resisting colonial linear storytelling. Featuring large-scale, scroll-like pieces alongside reimagined objects and painted clothing, this multidisciplinary exhibition investigates what it means to hold trauma and resilience in the same space while reclaiming cultural legacy.
Until Sunday 8 June | M16artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | Find out more at m16artspace.com.au
New Works: 3 Stories
Join printmakers Susan Morris, Caryn Giblin and Paula Watson as they present work emerging from their shared three-month artist residency at Hyphen Creative Studio, Wodonga. This thoughtful exhibition explores their experiences and relationships with the natural environment through visual stories about Fuzzy Blue Banded Bees, curated collections and misty memories of nature.
The Albury Wodonga artists have collaborated for over twenty years, sharing techniques and experimenting with different print mediums. Through prints, drawings and mixed media, they document their experience of nature, location and attachment while showcasing the endless possibilities of printmaking.
Until Sunday 8 June | M16artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | Find out more at m16artspace.com.au
The Arrival
Visit CHUTESPACE to experience Brenda Runnegar’s intriguing installation featuring a room with a cocoon or pupa surrounded by insects, welcoming a new arrival emerging from the pupa. This evocative exhibition explores themes of transformation and new beginnings through delicate sculptural elements.
Until Sunday 8 June | M16artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | Find out more at m16artspace.com.au
Megalo: 45 Years of Print
This year Megalo Print Studio proudly celebrates 45 years of printmaking. From its humble beginnings in a poorly ventilated tin shed in Ainslie, Megalo has grown into Australia’s largest open-access printmaking studio, expanding on 300-year-old traditions with a new generation of artists.
‘45 Years of Print’ is an exhibition featuring works drawn from Megalo’s archive. The show pays respect to Megalo’s roots as a collective of printmakers with a taste for political activism, while also documenting the studio’s evolution with works by renowned artists such as Rover Thomas, Judy Horacek, Richard Larter, Alison Alder, April Phillips, and Daniel Boyd.
Until Sunday 8 June | Megalo Print Studio, 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston | More info at megalo.org
Djara
Djara reveals the profound connection between First Nations peoples, stars, sky, and Country. Through storytelling, dance, song, and a captivating audio-visual experience, this exhibition brings together leading artists, traditional custodians, and astrophysicists to share millennia-old knowledge.
Until Sunday 8 June | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
Beyond Measure: Expanding the Sky
Beyond Measure presents multidisciplinary artworks that challenge and expand perceptions of the cosmos. Featuring photography, installation, and digital technology, it explores our relationship with space, shaping our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
Until Sunday 8 June | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
The Bees and the Ledger – Kai Wasikowski
Explore the intimate exhibition “The Bees and the Ledger” by Kai Wasikowski, a poignant investigation of industry, migration, and labor through the story of his Polish grandmother, Natalia Broadhurst.
Through a photographic taxonomy of tools and belongings, Wasikowski traces his family history from Australia back to Poland, using cargo ship ledgers as a visual metaphor.
The exhibition includes a working photographic studio where the artist will continue developing this project throughout its run, engaging with Canberra’s Polish community to create an evolving narrative of cultural identity and belonging.
Until Saturday 14 June | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
An Satong Kawaran – George Calvelo
Discover “An Satong Kawaran” (In Our Absence), a dreamlike photographic exhibition by George Calvelo exploring the migrant experience between the Philippines and Australia.
Before relocating, Calvelo exposed several rolls of film capturing his childhood home and final goodbyes, then re-exposed the same film upon arriving in Australia. The resulting double exposures create ethereal compositions where past and present, memory and reality converge.
This visually striking work offers a deeply personal meditation on displacement, nostalgia, and the evolving concept of home when straddling two worlds.
Until Saturday 14 June | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
Ali Nasseri | Boredom Doesn’t Exist
Shot exclusively on medium format Kodak film, this exhibition reflects on the evolving nature of identity, displacement, and resilience. Born in Iran and was displaced at the age of seven, two years after the 1979 revolution, for over two decades, Ali Nasseri has worked exclusively with analogue film, building a practice rooted in honesty and reverence. He has exhibited widely, published monographs, and been recognised in contemporary photography prizes both in Australia and internationally. His work is held in the collections of several of Sydney’s most respected creative institutions.
Don’t miss this chance to see his works for yourself.
Until Sunday 15 June | Suki & Hugh Gallery, 38a Gibraltar Street, Bungendore| More information here.
Lindy Lee
Lindy Lee is one of Australia’s most accomplished contemporary artists. This exhibition brings together highlights from across the artist’s career as well as a monumental new installation and works on paper.
Exploring themes of ancestry, spirituality, the environment, and the cosmos, this display of new and recent works will shed light on Lee’s ever-evolving and ambitious practice.
Until Tuesday 1 July | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
The Lodge by Amala Groom
The Lodge is the third moving image work in Amala Groom’s Raised by Wolves series. Filmed on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle, The Lodge engages with Groom’s history of direct action at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and ceremonial rites of passage within and without the halls of Parliament House spanning the past 20 years from activist to advocate to artist.
The work references David Lynch’s Twin Peaks and its White and Black Lodges, reinterpreting them as the indivisible duality of ‘light’ and ‘dark’—a dynamic embodied by Canberra’s historical and political landscape.
Until Saturday 12 July | 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
Am I in your way by Racquel Ormella
Am I in your way? extends Raquel Ormella’s career-long focus on the visual cultures of protest and resistance. This exhibition takes as its starting point the position of Canberra Contemporary at the centre of the Parliamentary Triangle as a site to consider past and present formations of national identities.
In this current moment of charged international and national relationships through conflict and brinkmanship, the work looks at the ways political protestors use their bodies as direct forms of passive disruption. In an environment where attitudes towards legitimate disruption and protest are changing, Am I in your way? is a timely exploration of an emerging criminalisation of ‘inconvenience’.
Until Saturday 12 July | 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
KULATA TJUTA: TIRKILPA
Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa is the largest and most significant installation of the culturally important and visually spectacular Kulata Tjuta (Many Spears) Project.
Like others in the series, it is rooted in age-old traditions, knowledge and skills that are designed around keeping Country and culture strong. On show at the National Gallery of Australia head along to see the large-scale, multi-disciplinary installations that incorporate film, sound, live performance and other artistic collaborations.
Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive selected by Mike Bowers
Showcasing the best of Australian photojournalism, the National Library has invited renowned Australian photojournalist Mike Bowers to select some of his favourite images from the Fairfax Photo Archive.
Tracing the art of photojournalism from its infancy to the highly illustrated news stories you know so well today, the free exhibition explores how the pioneers of press photography in Australia developed their storytelling skills.
Until Sunday 20 July | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | More information here.
Resonance – Art as the Voice of Nature
This exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) showcases art from the NatureArt Lab teaching team and community, nature journals and natural history objects collected over our eight years of operation.
Celebrating the richness of biodiversity and the deep connections between art and the natural world, the exhibition extends beyond visual art, incorporating community engagement, school programs, and international nature tours spanning Borneo, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, Amazonian Ecuador, and Peru.
Until Sunday 27 July | 176 London Circuit, City | More information here.
A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage
Celebrate 50 years of Nolan’s cultural legacy with the Canberra Museum and Gallery’s year-long program of exhibitions, concerts, talks, and a symposium. A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage showcases Sidney Nolan’s dynamic stage designs for opera, ballet, and theatre. You’ll discover costumes, set designs, and the iconic “Lyrebird” costume from The Display, 1964.
Until 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
The Immersive World of Thom Roberts
This is the first solo exhibition for this multidisciplinary, contemporary Australian artist opens at the National Portrait Gallery. Showcasing over 100 works spanning his prolific, decade-long career, the exhibition features painting, installation and animation, as well as major new work, inviting audiences to consider the world through his eyes.
Until Sunday 20 July | National Portrait Gallery | portrait.gov.au
Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars
Celebrating 100 years of Mount Stromlo Observatory, this interactive exhibition highlights groundbreaking astronomical discoveries and the vibrant community of scientists and families behind them. Features immersive installations, historical objects, and interactive activities perfect for all ages.
Until 16 November | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
Sport and Wellness
Yoga for Wellness & Joy: with Trish @ Sanctuary
Trish is committed to the collective wellbeing of all her clients and sharing the joy and benefits of Slow Flow Yoga. She is running classes at Sanctuary every Friday morning, followed by a cuppa!
No experience required. Wear loose comfortable clothing, bring a mat (if you have one), water, a small towel and a light blanket as the weather cools.
Every Friday, 7.45 am and 9.15 am | 17 Brockman St Narrabundah | Register by emailing trish@wisdominone.com.au
Raiders v Titans
Be part of the action at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the Canberra Raiders battle the Gold Coast Titans. Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty broke the hearts of his former club last season, kicking Canberra to victory in Golden Point.
Sunday 18 May | GIO Stadium Canberra, Battye Street, Bruce | raiders.com.au
Workshops and Programs
Professional Dance Workshop with Debora Di Centa
This workshop is intended as an experiential process where to deepen and explore aspects of Contact Improvisation through a Choreological Studies perspective (Laban Movement Analysis) and integrated by elements of experiential anatomy.
Monday 19 May until Monday 26 May | QL2 Dance Studio, 55 Ainslie Avenue, Braddon | events.humanitix.com
Bee Science Symposium
Tour beehives installed in the gardens of the Embassy of Italy, guided by embassy beekeeper and environmental scientist Cormac Farrell. The tour will be followed by a presentation and discussion featuring environmental experts. Light refreshments, including honey tasting, will also be provided!
Tuesday 20 May | Embassy of Italy, 12 Grey Street, Deakin | events.humanitix.com
Healing and Play: Trauma-Informed and Wellbeing-Centered Design
This evening event features a two-course dinner and will honour the legacy of Alison Burton, whose tireless work placed social justice at the centre of planning. The program offers a space to challenge, celebrate, and reimagine the role of place in fostering community health and well-being. Guest speakers Dr Cathy Hope, Crosbie Lorimer FAILA, and Eloise Reddy PIA (Assoc.) will explore a range of perspectives from landscape design, to play spaces and trauma-informed design.
Wednesday 21 May | Crowne Plaza, 1 Binara Street, City | planning.org.au
Coffee with the Curator: The Excellencies of Musick at the National Library
Join Dr Susannah Helman, Senior Advisor in Collection Research, as she provides her insights into the Jamie and Michael Kassler Collection, a significant collection full of exquisite and intriguing prints, rare books and manuscripts dating from the seventeenth to early nineteenth century Britain.
Thursday 22 May | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
Building a Sustainable Home Workshop series – Whitlam
This workshop series provides detailed information about how to build or renovate your home with sustainable living in mind. In this workshop, you’ll discover what a sustainable home is and why it’s a smart choice. Bring along your house plans and ideas to receive free personalised advice tailored to your needs.
Saturday 24 May | Mingle Community Space, 3 Klaus Moje Street, Whitlam | suburbanland.act.gov.au
Natural Skincare Workshop: Craft Your Own Body Balm & Clay Face Mask
Discover the art of natural skincare creation in this intimate, hands-on workshop where you’ll craft two luxurious products: a nourishing Calendula and Shea Body Balm and a Silky French Green Clay Face Mask. Perfect for beginners, this workshop introduces you to the wonderful world of botanical skincare.
Saturday 24 May | Meet Gather Collect, 68 Bandjalong Crescent, Aranda | meetgathercollect.com.au
Natural Soap Making with Honey & Glow
Discover the satisfying art of handcrafted soap making in Canberra! This beginner-friendly workshop offers a perfect blend of creativity and practical skill-building, guided by the passionate Erin from Honey and Glow. During this immersive experience, you’ll master the fundamentals of natural soap making.
Saturday 24 May | Meet Gather Collect, 68 Bandjalong Crescent, Aranda | meetgathercollect.com.au
Street Photography Workshop
Unlock your vision in street photography through this hands-on workshop led by documentary photographer and 2025 photo access exhibiting artist George Calvelo. Designed for photographers looking to build confidence and sharpen their eye for compelling images in public spaces.
Saturday 24 May | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
