Gertrude Contemporary Open Studios Day

Once a year, Gertrude opens our private studios to the public, providing audiences with a special opportunity to explore the Preston spaces, meet the artists, view works in progress and experience the environment in which Gertrude Studio Artists create their work.

Join Gertrude on Saturday 26 March for a day-long program of events, workshops, studio tours and artist talks. 

Gertrude Board members will host a free sausage sizzle at midday, and throughout the afternoon, the public is invited to take part in workshops led by Gertrude Studio Artists. This includes a flip book animation workshop with Sarah Brasier and The National Celebrity Portrait Prize with Georgia Banks. Each workshop is suitable for children and adults of all ages.

Program

From 12pm | BBQ
Gertrude Board members host a free sausage sizzle

12 - 4pm | Artist Workshop: National Celebrity Portrait Prize
Have you got what it takes to win the inaugural National Celebrity Portrait Prize? Join Gertrude Studio Artist Georgia Banks as she leads a drop-in style, all ages portrait painting workshop. Add your completed canvas to an evolving exhibition of public entries and see if you can take the top prize. This is a drop-in workshop for people of all ages.

12 - 4pm | Artist Workshop
Create your own flipbook animations with Gertrude Studio Artist Sarah Brasier as part of this artist-led workshop. Join Sarah to contribute to a collaborative animated story written by everyone: guided by the drawn additions of each workshop participant. This is a drop-in workshop for people of all ages.

1pm | Studio Tour
Join Artistic Director Mark Feary and Curator in Residence Tim Riley Walsh for an informal tour of the artists' studios

2pm | Artist Performance
Performance by Gertrude Studio Artist Scotty So

2:30pm | Artist Talk
Join us in Gallery 2 for Atong Atem in conversation with Bigoa Chuol about current exhibition Everything in Remission

3:15pm | Artist Talk
Join us in Gallery 1 for Vittoria Di Stefano in conversation with Fleur Summers about current exhibition The Palace at 4pm

4 - 6pm | Closing celebration
Join Gertrude, Gertrude Artists and current exhibiting artists for a closing celebration of both the current exhibitions at Gertrude Contemporary and to conclude the Gertrude Open Day program. 

Gertrude Open Day is inclusive and appropriate for all ages and abilities, and we welcome everyone to join us. Gertrude Contemporary's gallery, amenities and studios are wheelchair accessible, with ramp access, accessible toilets as well as baby change facilities. If you have any access needs that you would like to discuss, please get in touch.

Presented by FUSE@Large, FUSE Darebin's open access program