Artist Development Workshop Program: Artwork Install 101 with Athena Thebus

Join us in the first in our series of professional development workshops to learn the basics of exhibition install. Artwork install 101 will be a hands-on introduction, covering the end-to-end processes of installing and deinstalling 2D artworks in a gallery setting including:

• Prepping an artwork for installation

• Learning how to hang a wall based work

• Building confidence using tools

• Patching up after you’re done

• General best practice & tips and tricks

This workshop will be facilitated by Athena Thebus who is the lead production and installation technician at the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art).

(Note: This workshop may take place in Gallery 1 which is accessed through a set of stairs.)

Firstdraft’s Artist Development Program is a structured professional development program providing early-career artists with practical skills, industry knowledge, and mentorship to navigate and sustain their artistic careers within Sydney’s creative sector.

Workshop tickets are $10.00, if you are experiencing financial hardship please contact our team for a no questions asked, financial assistance ticket.

The Artist Development Program is supported by the City of Sydney.

venue accessibility information:

Getting Here

• Gallery entry is on the ground floor via Haig Lane.

• There is a grey wall with Firstdraft painted on it which you can see from the entry of the lane.

• Train/Metro:

  • St James is the closest station.

  • Town Hall and Martin Place are also within 15 minutes walking distance.

  • Gadigal Metro station via Park St within 10 minutes walking distance.

  Bus:

  • The closet bus stop is on Riley Street - the 461 bus stops here.

  • The William St near College Cr bus stop is also close with 311, 324, 325, 333, 333N, 461, 501, 506 busses stopping here.

  
  Pedestrians and Cyclists

  • Firstdraft is accessible for pedestrians and cyclists via Haig Lane

  • The footpaths surrounding the area are sloped and sometimes uneven

  • There is a wide 3m gate at the entrance

  • Bicycles can be parked next to the gallery gate

  Private car and motorcycle

  • Private car and motorcycle users can park in nearby car parks, and on-street.

  • On-street parking is limited during business hours due to the busy area, but spaces are usually available.

General information

• Gender-neutral bathrooms are provided. These are single-stall, with sanitary bins.

• Assistance animals are welcome, and drinking water is available.

• Our building is climate controlled, depending on the artwork being shown.

Access Parking

• The closest car park with Mobility Parking (MPS) is Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Car Park at 61-101 Phillip Street, Sydney. More info about that carpark here.

 Access Information

• Inside the galleries will be optimal white lighting.

• The gate to the Firstdraft courtyard is 3 metres wide.

• Gallery 1 and 2 are upstairs.

• Gallery 3 is downstairs and entered through the courtyard, via a ramp. The entry is 110cm wide.

• Gallery 4 is downstairs and entered via a ramp. The entry is 86cm wide.

• The staircase has 17 concrete steps.

• There is one gender neutral bathroom located on the ground floor. The entry is 74cm wide.

• Please get in touch if you would like to meet someone one-to-one in advance, or turn up early to our events for an easier entry

• Firstdraft is in a high pollen area, it may be useful to check the Pollen index here.

• We welcome the use of safety/particulate masks for those that wish/need to use them.