A new chapter for an old fave: the Undercurrent Design Market has moved to Dairy Road

Posted on 1 November, 2024

Few events hold spaces in the calendars of Canberrans months before they happen, but for those who love Australian designers, makers, and artists, the Undercurrent Design Market has been a must-attend event since it began.

Founded in 2009 by Rich Baz and Mel O’Hanlon, and held at the National Portrait Gallery, the market began as a way for homegrown creatives to come together across two days.

But after 15 years, the Curatoreum’s annual celebration of Australian makers is moving to a new location for a new chapter.

Running from Friday 22 until Sunday 24 November, the Undercurrent Design Market will be held at Canberra’s newest event space, The Vault at Dairy Road, bringing 60 stalls to the space.

For the original makers, who have been attending the event since its inception, it’s a big change.

An OG stallholder, Simon King of All The Kings Men (who has been making bags and accessories from leather and canvas in Melbourne for 20 years) says he’s excited.

“The market has really grown and is now quite an event. It has been great to be part of them all as there are a significant number of fellow makers and designers who have going to them over the years, so it has been great to develop relationships based on catching up once a year,” he says.

“I think Dairy Road has its own community and we get to meet a whole bunch of new people and a new community while still catching up with the loyal patrons of Undercurrent at the gallery.”

Emma Kidson of Emma Kidson Jewellery and Katy Robinson of Captain Robbo Adventure Pants have both been attending the market since 2010. They say that while the venue might be different, it’s the community support that makes Undercurrent special.

“In my sixteen years of attending markets, it is one of the few I still participate in annually, because it never fails to be a wonderful event,” says Emma.

“Over the years the market has gone from strength to strength, building a reputation as Canberra’s highest-quality artisan market. It’s an event that people mark in their diaries a whole year in advance!”

“I do hope it brings the regulars and is a great success for all the traders! It’s always great to see everyone,” adds Katy.

“I think they [markets like Undercurrent] are great as they showcase makers and designers from all around Australia and encourage people to buy from an independent maker something unique and special that has been thoughtfully crafted and not mass produced.”

Captain Robbo Adventure Pants.

Transforming the blank space brutalist venue into a lively market full of colour and cutting-edge designs, with the ability to hold up to 600 people, from chatting with the makers to getting lost in exploring the wares, The Vault offers Undercurrent the opportunity to be bigger and better than ever before.

And as one of Canberra’s most anticipated markets (especially in the lead-up to Christmas), the change is a breath of fresh air for the creative community – and a sign that the founders’ passion for local makers stands the test of time.

“The market exists due to the passion and generosity of Rich and Mel. It is the favourite market of those on the circuit due to Rich and Mel and their hard work,” says Simon.

“They do Canberra a great service in creating and hosting it each year.”

Expect to see everything you know and love.

Emma Kidson Jewellery.

“In a marketplace full of weekend markets, Undercurrent is a standout due to the extremely high quality of the products. It isn’t a ‘craft’ market or a ‘trash and treasure’ market, it is a true design event, for artisans with a real passion for cutting-edge design,” says Emma.

“In my sixteen years of attending markets, it is one of the few I still participate in annually, because it never fails to be a wonderful event.”

Images supplied.