The Treasury: A love letter to Canberra’s vibrant art scene
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If you live in Canberra, you already know this secret: beneath the roundabouts and the department buildings, there is a steady hum of vibrant artistry shaping the city’s cultural identity.
From ceramicists and painters to jewellery makers and illustrators, the capital is home to a growing community of local artists. And you don’t have to go far to take home a piece of it.
The reimagined Treasury at Craft + Design Canberra, as its name suggests, is a chest of unique pieces from local artists and creatives. Every piece in the store is carefully curated and handcrafted – objects made slowly, thoughtfully, and with intention.
Think ceramics that took days to throw and fire, jewellery shaped by hand over 20 years of practice, and glass sculptures that fuse ancient weaving traditions with contemporary craft.
Craft + Design Canberra has been supporting local artists and makers in Canberra for over 50 years, and Treasury is the newest expression of that mission – a retail space and online store that is putting handmade work in the hands of people who love this city.
Behind every piece is a maker with a story worth knowing. Here are just a few local makers that we love.
F!NK
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Few items quite capture Canberra like the iconic F!NK jug. Created in 1993 as a limited-edition piece for a local restaurant, the vessel launched Robert Foster’s new company, F!NK + Co. Based in Queanbeyan, Foster founded the studio to champion and create viable opportunities for Australian craftspeople. Before his tragic death in 2016, his innovative work earned spots in prestigious global collections, including London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, New York’s MoMA, and the National Gallery of Australia. Today, Gretel Harrison steers the company, preserving Foster’s vision. The Queanbeyan workshop still hand-finishes every single piece, ensuring that no two items are identical.
Jenni Kemarre Martiniello OAM
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Jenni is an award-winning poet, writer, photographer and visual artist of Arrernte, Chinese and Anglo-Celtic descent. A graduate of the Canberra School of Art, she is a highly respected glass artist from Central Australia who combines the traditional Aboriginal practice of weaving with the contemporary practices of glassmaking. The results – blown glass forms that mimic the texture and structure of woven dillybags and eel traps – are breathtaking. Her work has been showcased at the National Museum of Australia, Australian Parliament House, the British Museum, the Belau National Museum and other major international exhibitions. Jenni was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2022 for her services and contributions to the creative and visual arts.
Ferro Forma
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Ferro Forma, an artisan metalsmithing workshop, is the culmination of a long-standing partnership between Alison Jackson and Dan Lorrimer. Based in Braidwood, Alison’s background is in traditional silversmithing and jewellery, while Dan’s training is in contemporary sculpture, tool-making and machining. Together, they pair traditional fine hand skills, hand machining and complex industrial processes, using machinery that spans from the 1800s to today. Their practice spans jewellery and tableware – think stainless steel earrings with a hint of playful movement, and serving spoons designed to be passed around a table for decades. Alison’s work is held in both public and private collections, including a significant acquisition by the Canberra Museum and Gallery.
Iris Saar Isaacs – InSync Design
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Not every maker in The Treasury calls Canberra home, but every piece was chosen for its exceptional craft and a genuine point of view. Melbourne-based Iris Saar Isaacs founded InSync Design from a desire to bring more creativity and individuality to contemporary women’s jewellery. She merges traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to craft lightweight, hypoallergenic pieces that are timeless, sustainable and unique. Her jewellery functions like wearable graphic design – clean lines, organic forms, and a boldness that has nothing to do with mass production. Her multi-award-winning studio has been recognised with various awards, including the International Design Award Silver, the Melbourne Design Award, and the Faces of Design Award.
With over 40 makers and 250 products to choose from, spanning everything from $25 espresso cups to investment-worthy glass works, there’s something for every budget and every person on your gifting list.
You can find The Treasury at Craft + Design Canberra in the North Building at 1/180 London Circuit, or browse the collection online.
