BVAC Open Weekend 2025

 BVAC Open Weekend – July 26 & 27, 2025

Location: BVAC Hub – 140 Weller Road, TarragindiTimes: Saturday 9am–4pm | Sunday 9am–3pm

Discover Art in Action

BVAC’s Open Weekend is your chance to go behind the scenes of Brisbane’s vibrant visual arts community. Join us for two days of hands-on creativity, live demonstrations, and engaging workshops led by our member groups — all under one roof at the BVAC Hub in Tarragindi.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned maker, there’s something for everyone to explore. Get inspired, meet local artists, and try your hand at something new!

👉 Workshops require pre-booking.👉 Demonstrations are free and open to all.

📌 Presented by the Brisbane Visual Arts Community and proudly supported by our member groups.

BVAC Member Groups Participating in 2025

• ATASDA – Australian Textile Arts & Surface Design Association

• Queensland Bookbinders’ Guild

• Queensland Enamellers Guild

• Watercolour Society of Queensland

• Papermakers & Artists Queensland

• Half Dozen Group of Artists

• Sunshine Beaders

• Western Suburbs Clayworkers

• Scattered Arts

• Lilly Lee Gallery and Studio

• Ceramic Arts Queensland

WORKSHOPS – Saturday 26 July

9:00am – 11:00am

Decorative Paste Papers:

Sarah Davies, Kerrie White & Paul Esdaile – Queensland Bookbinders’ Guild

Create beautiful hand-decorated papers using paste techniques — ideal for book covers, collage and craft. $25

Introduction to Recycled Papermaking

Joanna Faber – Papermakers & Artists of Queensland

Learn to make your own paper from recycled materials. A hands-on and eco-friendly session. $60

11:15am – 1:15pm

Leather Travel Journal

Allie Collins – Queensland Bookbinders’ Guild

Learn how to create a hand-bound leather journal using traditional bookbinding methods. $50

1:30pm – 3:30pm

Brick Stitched Beaded Earrings

Joanna Fear – Sunshine Beaders

Learn to make intricate earrings using the brick stitch technique and go home with a finished pair. $50

9:00am – 1:00pm

The Raku Experience – Glazing & Firing

Kirstin Farr & team – Ceramic Arts Queensland

Glaze a pot and participate in a dramatic outdoor Raku firing session. Pots provided. $40 per pot

WORKSHOPS – Sunday 27 July

9:00am – 11:00am

Floral Fusion Brooch

Susanne Schroder – ATASDA QLD

Create a unique wearable artwork using felt, stitching and surface embellishment. $45

Paper Mâché Lanterns

Sharon John – Scattered Arts

Get creative with paper mâché and design your own whimsical lantern. $55

11:15am – 1:15pm

Watercolour Florals

Cecilia Xiao – Watercolour Society QLD

Learn basic floral techniques with watercolour in a fun, relaxed workshop. $45

Ocarina Wind Whistles

Judy Hamilton – Western Suburbs Clayworkers

Hand-build a working clay ocarina and decorate it with your own design. $60

1:30pm – 3:30pm

Messy Play with Nature

Fiona Garrett-Benson – Papermakers & Artists of QLD

An experimental session using natural materials and mark-making for all ages. $35

Soft Pastel Giraffe

Tanya Ashworth – Lilly Lee Gallery & Studio

Learn soft pastel techniques while creating a vibrant, friendly giraffe illustration. $35

🔗 Click here to book your workshop

Pre-book online or see the Enamellers Guild table at the event (subject to availability).

Demonstrations (Ongoing All Weekend – Free)

• Gel Printing – ATASDA

• Watercolour Try-It Station – Watercolour Society QLD

• The Bindery Tour & Bookbinding – Qld Bookbinders Guild

• Hands-on Pottery Wheel & Claywork – Western Suburbs Clayworkers

• Live Enamelling: From Bare Metal to Finished Piece – Qld Enamellers Guild

• Handmade Paper Pulling – Papermakers & Artists QLD

• Portrait Sketching – Half Dozen Group of Artists

• Mixed Media & Textiles – ATASDA