2025 Tidbinbilla Artist-in-Residence Open Day

Open Day at Cinerea Cottage | Workshops with 2025 Craft + Design Canberra Artists-in-Residence, Hannah McKellar and Michele Grimston

10am-3pm Saturday 5 April 2025

Join us for a creative open day and workshop program at the Cinerea Cottage in the beautiful Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. This special Open Day features hands-on workshops with the 2025 Craft + Design Canberra Artists-in-Residence, Hannah McKellar and Michele Grimston.

• Enjoy artist workshops and hear about the inspiration and interpretation of the park environment and its history
• Engage with acclaimed artists and gain insight into their creative processes
• Participants are encouraged to join us for the full event from 10am - 3pm to benefit from all activities including morning tea, artist talks and workshops. Activities will begin at 10.15am

Morning tea will be provided at Cinerea Cottage. We recommend bringing your own packed lunch as well as any snacks/drinks you may need. A portable camping chair or picnic rug is also advisable. Warm, waterproof and windproof clothing, covered footwear and sun protection is essential.

Cinerea Cottage is easily accessible from the Tidbinbilla Visitor Centre. Parking is available at the Flints picnic area, followed by a short 9-minute walk to the cottage.

The Craft + Design Canberra Artist-in-Residence program is supported by ACT Parks and Conservation Service. The 2025 research partner is National Zoo and Aquarium. More information about the program is available on our website. 

Open Day Workshops

Hannah McKellar : Sculpting the Landscape

Inspired by the shapes, forms, and colours of the surrounding environment in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, this workshop invites participants to create their own soft sculptural landscapes. Using wire, they will craft a dynamic three-dimensional drawing, forming the foundation of their piece. This skeletal structure will then be wrapped in linen, carefully stitched, and embellished, transforming into a tactile representation of the land. Through this hands-on process, participants will explore materiality, texture, and personal interpretations of place, resulting in a unique, sculpted landscape imbued with their creative vision.

Michele Grimston : Meditative stitching in nature

Slow down, take a breath and allow yourself to connect to the natural world through this simple meditative stitching exercise.  You'll explore how the inherent slowness of hand embroidery can help you tune into the present moment as you create a record of your own personal experience of the sights, smells, textures and patterns of nature.

Image: The 2024 Artist-in-Residence Open Day. 5 Foot Photography