Posted on
Spoiler alert: you’re going to be very busy.
This week in Canberra you can sip on award-winning wines, explore an award-winning indoor market, enjoy the wholesome combination of yoga and laksa (yep, really), and more. Start planning, because you’ll want to do it all.
Special Events and Festivals
National Wine Festival of Australia
The National Wine Festival of Australia is celebrating the 50th birthday of the nation’s most prestigious wine award! The festival features wine tastings, masterclasses, themed dinners and special events, with every wine entered in Australia’s most important wine awards available for tasting.
Thursday 12 June – Sunday 15 June | Various locations, Canberra | nationalwineshow.com.au
Handmade Market Canberra
The award-winning indoor market is back! Showcasing over 260 Australian designers and producers, featuring fashion, ceramics, handcrafted furniture, children’s items, original artworks, jewellery, and accessories, entry is free. Don’t miss the indoor gourmet food and wine pavilion and the Low Sensory Hour from 9 am to 10 am on Sunday.
Saturday 14 June – Sunday 15 June | Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Budawang, Coorong, and Parkes Pavilions, Lyneham | handmadecanberra.com.au
Matinee 2: Raise the roof, hit the hay… again
Following a completely sold-out debut, Mooseheads is bringing back its wildly popular over-30s day club event, Matinee: Raise the Roof, Hit the Hay. Tailored for those who partied through the golden age of Canberra clubbing, this throwback celebration promises all the energy of a classic Moose night, but with a much more sleep-friendly time slot. Expect DJs spinning the biggest hits from the 90s, 00s, and 10s, signature-themed cocktails inspired by iconic Canberra venues and more!
Saturday 14 June | Mooseheads, 105 London Circuit, City | moshtix.com.au
Harmonie German Club’s AUSSIE NIGHT
Canberrans are in for a true-blue treat as the Harmonie German Club transforms into a celebration of Aussie music, food, and fun. Headlining the night is The Oils Tribute – an electrifying tribute to Midnight Oil, delivering the unforgettable energy and anthems that defined a generation.
From classic Aussie pub fare like bangers & mash and steak sandwiches to $8 schooners and $10 steins of VB, this is a night made for mates, music lovers, and anyone who enjoys a good time.
Friday 14 June, 7.30 pm | Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | bit.ly/3FAHCM6
Yoga and Laksa
It’s the combination you didn’t know you needed. Helping you move your body while feeding your soul, local yoga teacher and reformer Pilates instructor @asanabycharlie and dumpling queen DumpLinLins are hosting a nourishing Sunday sesh filled with good movement, good food and good vibes.
Sunday 15 June | Kind Canberra, Studio 9 Building 3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | momence.com
Jaws
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…A peaceful summer on Amity Island turns into a nightmare when a great white shark begins terrorizing the small coastal town. Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and grizzled shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) team up to track and stop the deadly predator.
Released on June 20, 1975, and directed by Steven Spielberg, Jaws is a masterclass in suspense, blending thrilling action, iconic music, and unforgettable characters. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of this ground breaking blockbuster, a film that redefined summer cinema and still keeps audiences on the edge of their seats—and out of the water!
Sunday 15 June, 4 pm | The Q, 253 Crawford St, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
Sustainable House Day at SLA Display Village
Sustainable House Day is returning to Suburban Land Agency’s (SLA) Display Village in Whitlam, promising a delightful day out filled with inspiration, innovation and plenty of practical takeaways for eco-conscious Canberrans.
Join Peter Maddison (Grand Designs Australia), Craig Reucassel (ABC’s The War On Waste/The Chaser) and more special guests to explore the smart sides of sustainable building and living.
You might be surprised by all the smart ways sustainable building and design can deliver – for your home, wellbeing, community and more. Get inspired by sustainable building tips, explore how to create your own climate-wise garden, take tours of SLA’s flagship sustainable precincts and demonstration houses, visit the gigantic Sustainacube and more.
There’ll be plenty of fun activities running all day for the kids, like an archaeological dig, face painting, and sustainable giveaways.
Sunday, 15 June, 11 am to 3 pm | 3 Klaus Moje Street, Whitlam | Register your interest here.
Markets
Capital Region Farmers Market
Sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra. Speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
Saturdays, 7 am-11:30 am | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Haig Park Village Markets
Browse delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities. It’s the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Sundays, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Food and Wine
Truffle Infused Winter Tastings at Mount Majura Vineyard
It’s truffle season again! And Mount Majura Vineyard knows the most delicious way to enjoy truffles is with their wines. Fresh truffle from neighbour Jayson at The Truffle Farm is used to infuse a deliciously rich triple-cream brie-style cheese. With this, they pour a flight of three 80ml glasses matched to the truffled brie. Hungry yet?
Until Sunday 31 August | Mount Majura Vineyard, 88 Lime Kiln Road, Majura | mountmajura.com.au
Stage and Screen
Spanish Film Festival
Head along to Palace Electric to see a superb mix of contemporary and award-winning films from Spain and Latin America. Featuring Festival Centrepiece EL 47 and other acclaimed titles including UNDERCOVER, OCHO, and THE JOCKEY, grab your popcorn.
Tuesday 11 June – Wednesday 2 July | Palace Electric Cinema | spanishfilmfestival.com
A Doll’s House, Part 2
What happens after “happily ever after”? Fifteen years after Nora Helmer famously slammed the door in Ibsen’s classic, she’s back with unfinished business. Canberra REP presents Lucas Hnath’s bold and darkly funny sequel, featuring contemporary dialogue in a period setting that creates a striking juxtaposition between past and present.
Starring Lainie Hart as Nora, this provocative reimagining explores identity, obligation, and personal freedom with wit and emotional complexity. Director Joel Horwood promises accessible, thrilling theatre full of big ideas that will spark deep conversation, whether you know the original play or not.
Thursday 12 June – Saturday 28 June | Canberra REP Theatre, 3 Repertory Lane, City | canberrarep.org.au
Snatches: Moments from 100 Years of Women’s Lives
This is a Mockingbird Theatre Company production documenting a century of struggle for progress and equality for women. These gripping monologues address women’s constant efforts to carve out their rights, featuring some of Canberra’s best-emerging actresses.
Thursday 12 June – Saturday 14 June | Rehearsal Room, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Lawrence Mooney – Dead Set Country
Acclaimed stand-up comedian Lawrence Mooney is bringing his thirty-year career of being properly hilarious to Canberra. Critics and fans regard him as one of Australia’s finest comedians whether appearing as himself or one of his many characters. See him for yourself!
Friday 13 June | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | alist.com.au
An Evening With Robyn Archer
Don’t miss this screening of Pack of Women (1986) followed by a performance of feminist songs by Robyn Archer, including Menstruation Blues, Size 10, Women Who Kill, and more classics from this legendary performer.
Saturday 14 June | National Film and Sound Archive | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
Present Laughter
Noël Coward’s comedy centres on matinee idol Garry Essendine – suave, hedonistic, and prone to numerous affairs. Just before escaping on tour to Africa, his misdemeanors are discovered and all hell breaks loose in this delightful theatrical romp.
Until Saturday 14 June | ACT Hub at Causeway Hall,14 Spinifex Street, Kingston | acthub.com.au
Music
Spacey Jane – If That Makes Sense
Dreamy indie-rockers Spacey Jane embark on their biggest tour yet in support of their new album, joined by special guests Phoebe Go and The Moving Stills. With more than half a billion streams and an ARIA Song of the Year, they’ve built a loyal following through nostalgic, vulnerable sound and unforgettable live performances. Don’t miss out!
Tuesday 10 June | Royal Theatre, 31 Constitution Avenue, City | nccc.com.au
The Bard & Beyond
The Wesley Wednesday Lunchtime series is thrilled to welcome back the outstanding performers Alasdair Stretch (baritone) and Callum Tolhurst-Close (piano) in a gorgeous recital that brings together two sides of English song: the lyrical beauty of Shakespeare, set to music by Gerald Finzi and Roger Quilter, and the depth of Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs.
Enjoy a program that explores selections of the human experience: love, faith and death through some of the most expressive music in the English canon.
Wednesday 11 June, 12.40 pm–1.20 pm | Wesley Music Centre, 20 National Circuit, Forrest | trybooking.com/CYREM
Northern Lights
Swedish-Norwegian violinist Johan Dalene, winner of the prestigious Carl Nielsen International Competition, makes his Australian debut alongside pianist Jennifer Marten-Smith. The program features works by Ravel, Beethoven, Grieg, and includes the world premiere of a new work by Australian composer Jack Frerer.
Thursday 12 June | Llewellyn Hall, ANU, 100 William Herbert Place, Building 100, City | musicaviva.com.au
Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks – 50 Years of Hits Tour
Ross Wilson celebrates over 50 years of hits with his all-star band The Peaceniks, featuring all the Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock favourites. From “Eagle Rock” to modern releases, Wilson brings 26 ARIA Top 40 hits and legendary live performances.
Thursday 12 June | Canberra Theatre Centre, London Circuit, City | canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Wish You Were Here – Community Exhibition
Discover the beauty and uniqueness of Canberra’s South through this community exhibition curated from an open call for small works. Local artists reflect on the Tuggeranong Valley and South Canberra environment, sharing what makes their region special through diverse artistic expressions.
From everyday joys to memorable moments, this collection celebrates the things that bring delight to those who live, work, and visit this vibrant part of the capital. A heartfelt tribute to community connection and place, showcasing the artistic talent flourishing in Canberra’s southern suburbs.
Friday 13 June – Saturday 9 August | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
True: Kevin Gilbert (1933-1993)
Celebrate the life and legacy of Kevin Gilbert through this powerful exhibition of prints and poetry marking what would have been his 92nd year. Featuring images and poetry created during his lifetime alongside works edited for the first time, this tribute explores Gilbert’s core themes of spiritual presence and cultural survival.
Through lino prints, poetry, and photography, witness how Gilbert’s work enhanced the cultural survival of his people against colonial oppression. A moving testament to an artist, writer, and activist whose vision continues to inspire and educate.
Friday 13 June – Saturday 9 August | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
From Country – Rechelle Turner & Megan Daley
Experience the deep-rooted connection to Country through this collaborative exhibition by Megan Daley (Ngunnawal/Wiradjuri) and Rechelle Turner (Wiradjuri). “From Country” explores timeless stories, heritage, and identity through the lens of their artistic partnership that also birthed their fashion label, Corella & Crow.
This celebration of Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri cultures invites audiences to experience layers of belonging, wisdom, and spirit that inspire their creative journey. Discover how landscapes, cultural knowledge, and ancestral connections shape and sustain contemporary Indigenous artistic practice.
Friday 13 June – Saturday 9 August | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
Smiths at Belco: Neil Murray
Maverick songman Neil Murray, founding member of the pioneering Warumpi Band and one of Australia’s finest singer/songwriters, will perform songs from his four-decade recording career. Expect to hear his latest album “The Telling”, which showcases classics like “My Island Home” and “Blackfella Whitefella.”
Saturday 14 June | The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
The Preatures | Blue Planet Eyes 10th Anniversary Tour
Iconic Sydney band The Preatures reunite to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their ground-breaking debut album. They’ll perform Blue Planet Eyes in its entirety alongside much-loved hits like “Is This How You Feel?” and “Better Than It Ever Could Be.”
Saturday 14 June | University of Canberra, 1 Kirinari Street, UC Hub, Bruce | ucx.canberra.edu.au
Luminescence Chamber Singers 10th Birthday Gala
Join Luminescence Chamber Singers and Children’s Choir as they celebrate 10 years of song with performances including the world premiere of a new work by Elena Kats-Chernin. Ticket price includes the performance followed by celebratory drinks and light canapés.
Sunday 15 June | Albert Hall, 100 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | luminescence.org.au
Exhibitions
Reflection: 50 Years of the Australian Honours System
Discover the remarkable story of Australia’s honours system through a fascinating exhibition at the Royal Australian Mint. “Reflection” celebrates five decades of recognizing extraordinary Australians, featuring original medal sketches by Stuart Devlin, finished medals, and commemorative coins from the National Coin Collection.
Explore the journey from design concept to final recognition, including the 2003 Volunteers Fine Silver Proof Set, Afghanistan Medal displays, and stunning wattle-themed collectibles. This free exhibition honors over 500,000 Australians who have contributed to our nation’s spirit.
Now open | Royal Australian Mint, Deakin | Free entry | ramint.gov.au
Traced Life
Experience the poignant paintings of Racheal Bruhn and John Nelson in this moving exhibition exploring shadows and echoes of past stories.
Bruhn’s reflective watercolour installation uses leaves as motifs to grapple with grief and family history, creating a family tree with five hundred leaves representing years lived by her loved ones. Meanwhile, Nelson’s works emerge from observations of his surroundings—evening walks, gardens and overlooked objects—presenting diptychs that invite viewers to complete broken narratives. Together, they offer perspectives on time, place and fractured stories that resonate with us all.
Until Sunday 8 June | M16artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
SPLIT OPEN
Discover Natasha Tareen’s captivating debut solo exhibition, rooted in the mythological and folkloric elements of Central and South Asia. Through deeply personal and ancestral narratives, Tareen explores brown femininity, bodily autonomy and generational memory, drawing from her Afghan heritage.
Figures emerge from dreamlike spaces, hovering between presence and disappearance, while resisting colonial linear storytelling. Featuring large-scale, scroll-like pieces alongside reimagined objects and painted clothing, this multidisciplinary exhibition investigates what it means to hold trauma and resilience in the same space while reclaiming cultural legacy.
Until Sunday 8 June | M16artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
New Works: 3 Stories
Join printmakers Susan Morris, Caryn Giblin and Paula Watson as they present work emerging from their shared three-month artist residency at Hyphen Creative Studio, Wodonga. This thoughtful exhibition explores their experiences and relationships with the natural environment through visual stories about Fuzzy Blue Banded Bees, curated collections and misty memories of nature.
The Albury Wodonga artists have collaborated for over twenty years, sharing techniques and experimenting with different print mediums. Through prints, drawings and mixed media, they document their experience of nature, location and attachment while showcasing the endless possibilities of printmaking.
Until Sunday 8 June | M16artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
The Arrival
Visit CHUTESPACE to experience Brenda Runnegar’s intriguing installation featuring a room with a cocoon or pupa surrounded by insects, welcoming a new arrival emerging from the pupa. This evocative exhibition explores themes of transformation and new beginnings through delicate sculptural elements.
Until Sunday 8 June | M16artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Megalo: 45 Years of Print
This year Megalo Print Studio proudly celebrates 45 years of printmaking. From its humble beginnings in a poorly ventilated tin shed in Ainslie, Megalo has grown into Australia’s largest open-access printmaking studio, expanding on 300-year-old traditions with a new generation of artists.
‘45 Years of Print’ is an exhibition featuring works drawn from Megalo’s archive. The show pays respect to Megalo’s roots as a collective of printmakers with a taste for political activism, while also documenting the studio’s evolution with works by renowned artists such as Rover Thomas, Judy Horacek, Richard Larter, Alison Alder, April Phillips, and Daniel Boyd.
Until Sunday 8 June | Megalo Print Studio, 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston | megalo.org
Djara
Djara reveals the profound connection between First Nations peoples, stars, sky, and Country. Through storytelling, dance, song, and a captivating audio-visual experience, this exhibition brings together leading artists, traditional custodians, and astrophysicists to share millennia-old knowledge.
Until Sunday 8 June | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
Beyond Measure: Expanding the Sky
Beyond Measure presents multidisciplinary artworks that challenge and expand perceptions of the cosmos. Featuring photography, installation, and digital technology, it explores our relationship with space, shaping our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
Until Sunday 8 June | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
LUSH (Gatya Kelly) and QUEENS (Fiona Smith) at Grainger Gallery
LUSH by Gatya Kelly is an ode to beauty—to ripeness and shadow, to forms revealed and secrets softly kept.
QUEENS by Fiona Smith is a parade of fabulous Queen-inspired birds in ornamental frames.
Gatya and Fiona will be at the opening (Thursday 12 June, 6pm) to celebrate the exhibitions and provide an insight into their practice.
Thursday 12 June to Sunday 6 July | Building 3, I Dairy Road, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Precarious Proximity
An exploration of the dynamic relationship between glass and porcelain by artists Jo Victoria, Robyn Campbell, and Julie Bartholomew. The exhibition celebrates the interplay of solidity and openness, reflection and refraction, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and environment through contrasting materials.
Thursday 12 June – Saturday 26 July | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
UNRESOLVED watching…waiting…
A collaboration between Maggie Douglas, Nicola Ingram and Shanysa McConville reimagining ideas surrounding trust, allyship and expectations. A call to action.
Thursday 12 June – Saturday 26 July | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Honouring Country
Honouring Country brings together First Nations artists from traditional countries all around Australia who now live and create on unceded Ngunnawal/Ngambri lands. These artists came together for two workshops in February 2025 with renowned Biripi jeweller Wayne Simon to develop their skills in silversmithing and metalsmithing and create a series of wearable artworks inspired by Country.
Thursday 12 June – Saturday 26 July | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Level 1, North Building, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
Step into the Limelight 2025
Now in its 19th year, Step into the Limelight 2025 invites you to Enter the Unknown – a bold and imaginative exploration of mystery, curiosity, and possibility through the eyes of Canberra’s K–12 public school artists.
Across M16’s three gallery spaces and Chutespace, Step into the Limelight highlights the talent, imagination, and diverse perspectives of the next generation of artists while celebrating the value of creative learning in education.
From abstract interpretations of space and time to deeply personal reflections on change, fear, and discovery, these works showcase the incredible creativity and courage of young people stepping into new territory.
Expect a dynamic and diverse collection of paintings, sculpture, digital art, textiles, and mixed media pieces that push the boundaries of what is familiar and celebrate the beauty of the unexpected.
Friday 13 June – Sunday 29 June | M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith | m16artspace.com.au
Over and Around, A Poem, A Sculpture
This collaborative exhibition by Julia Higgs with Peter Searles explores the aesthetics of line and aims to foster new inquiries into multimodal forms of expression and response, using both visual art and poetry. Over and Around, a Poem, a Sculpture will be accompanied by a poetry reading in the gallery on Sunday 29 June, 2 pm.
Friday 13 until Sunday 29 June | PLATFORM, 9 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
The Bees and the Ledger – Kai Wasikowski
Explore the intimate exhibition “The Bees and the Ledger” by Kai Wasikowski, a poignant investigation of industry, migration, and labor through the story of his Polish grandmother, Natalia Broadhurst.
Through a photographic taxonomy of tools and belongings, Wasikowski traces his family history from Australia back to Poland, using cargo ship ledgers as a visual metaphor.
The exhibition includes a working photographic studio where the artist will continue developing this project throughout its run, engaging with Canberra’s Polish community to create an evolving narrative of cultural identity and belonging.
Until Saturday 14 June | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
An Satong Kawaran – George Calvelo
Discover “An Satong Kawaran” (In Our Absence), a dreamlike photographic exhibition by George Calvelo exploring the migrant experience between the Philippines and Australia.
Before relocating, Calvelo exposed several rolls of film capturing his childhood home and final goodbyes, then re-exposed the same film upon arriving in Australia. The resulting double exposures create ethereal compositions where past and present, memory and reality converge.
This visually striking work offers a deeply personal meditation on displacement, nostalgia, and the evolving concept of home when straddling two worlds.
Until Saturday 14 June | PhotoAccess, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith | photoaccess.org.au
Ali Nasseri | Boredom Doesn’t Exist
Shot exclusively on medium format Kodak film, this exhibition reflects on the evolving nature of identity, displacement, and resilience. Born in Iran and was displaced at the age of seven, two years after the 1979 revolution, for over two decades, Ali Nasseri has worked exclusively with analogue film, building a practice rooted in honesty and reverence. He has exhibited widely, published monographs, and been recognised in contemporary photography prizes both in Australia and internationally. His work is held in the collections of several of Sydney’s most respected creative institutions.
Don’t miss this chance to see his works for yourself.
Until Sunday 15 June | Suki & Hugh Gallery, 38a Gibraltar Street, Bungendore| More information here.
Intersection: artist and art therapist
This exhibition brings together the creative and clinical practices of 10 Creative Arts Therapists, members of the ACT and surrounding NSW regional group. All registered with the peak professional body and regulator ANZACATA, this peer group ranges from that of trainees to seasoned professionals with combined experience spanning 70 years.
The group meets monthly to share clinical experiences, create together and provide peer support. This exhibition showcases the complex relationship between art and therapy, being creative and supporting others’ creativity.
Until Saturday 21 June | Rusten House Art Centre, QPRC | qprc.nsw.gov.au
Lindy Lee
Lindy Lee is one of Australia’s most accomplished contemporary artists. This exhibition brings together highlights from across the artist’s career as well as a monumental new installation and works on paper.
Exploring themes of ancestry, spirituality, the environment, and the cosmos, this display of new and recent works will shed light on Lee’s ever-evolving and ambitious practice.
Until Tuesday 1 July | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | More information here.
The beautiful place where we live by An Pan
Canberra based artist An Pan’s Australian landscape exhibition is a true record of the natural scenery of the cities and countryside he has lived and visited in the past 35 years. From these paintings you can see Australia’s unique natural scenery, historical buildings and human culture.
Until Sunday 6 July | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
GW Bot: Portrait of a landscape
For the past four decades artist GW Bot has been based in Canberra, specifically in Belconnen, and has worked in the surrounding landscape of the Monaro plateau, the remnant grasslands of Canberra and the Murrumbidgee River corridor. Her work views nature and landscape as active collaborators.
Until Sunday 6 July | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
HABITAT – An Open Printmaking Exhibition
Printmakers from throughout Australia are being invited to respond to the theme of what HABITAT means to them. Explore the beauty of these precious ecosystems, suburban, industrial, and other built landscapes. All finalist works will be eligible for selection in the AUD500 People’s Choice Award.
Until Sunday 6 July | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Rendering the Invisible by Igor Kochovski
The exhibition revolves around the themes of seeing and transforming – a certain fascination with the physical world in which the visible coexists and is in constant dialogue with the invisible, gave impetus to the works and formed the common thread between them.
Until Sunday 6 July | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
The Lodge by Amala Groom
The Lodge is the third moving image work in Amala Groom’s Raised by Wolves series. Filmed on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle, The Lodge engages with Groom’s history of direct action at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and ceremonial rites of passage within and without the halls of Parliament House spanning the past 20 years from activist to advocate to artist.
The work references David Lynch’s Twin Peaks and its White and Black Lodges, reinterpreting them as the indivisible duality of ‘light’ and ‘dark’—a dynamic embodied by Canberra’s historical and political landscape.
Until Saturday 12 July | 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
Am I in your way by Racquel Ormella
Am I in your way? extends Raquel Ormella’s career-long focus on the visual cultures of protest and resistance. This exhibition takes as its starting point the position of Canberra Contemporary at the centre of the Parliamentary Triangle as a site to consider past and present formations of national identities.
In this current moment of charged international and national relationships through conflict and brinkmanship, the work looks at the ways political protestors use their bodies as direct forms of passive disruption. In an environment where attitudes towards legitimate disruption and protest are changing, Am I in your way? is a timely exploration of an emerging criminalisation of ‘inconvenience’.
Until Saturday 12 July | 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
KULATA TJUTA: TIRKILPA
Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa is the largest and most significant installation of the culturally important and visually spectacular Kulata Tjuta (Many Spears) Project.
Like others in the series, it is rooted in age-old traditions, knowledge and skills that are designed around keeping Country and culture strong. On show at the National Gallery of Australia head along to see the large-scale, multi-disciplinary installations that incorporate film, sound, live performance and other artistic collaborations.
Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive selected by Mike Bowers
Showcasing the best of Australian photojournalism, the National Library has invited renowned Australian photojournalist Mike Bowers to select some of his favourite images from the Fairfax Photo Archive.
Tracing the art of photojournalism from its infancy to the highly illustrated news stories you know so well today, the free exhibition explores how the pioneers of press photography in Australia developed their storytelling skills.
Until Sunday 20 July | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | More information here.
Resonance – Art as the Voice of Nature
This exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) showcases art from the NatureArt Lab teaching team and community, nature journals and natural history objects collected over our eight years of operation.
Celebrating the richness of biodiversity and the deep connections between art and the natural world, the exhibition extends beyond visual art, incorporating community engagement, school programs, and international nature tours spanning Borneo, Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, Amazonian Ecuador, and Peru.
Until Sunday 27 July | 176 London Circuit, City | More information here.
The Immersive World of Thom Roberts
This is the first solo exhibition for this multidisciplinary, contemporary Australian artist opens at the National Portrait Gallery. Showcasing over 100 works spanning his prolific, decade-long career, the exhibition features painting, installation and animation, as well as major new work, inviting audiences to consider the world through his eyes.
Until Sunday 20 July | National Portrait Gallery | portrait.gov.au
Camel trains to steel wheels
Explore a colourful chapter of Australia’s history at National Archives’ exhibition Camel trains to steel wheels: life on the Trans-Australian Railway.
This exhibition features fascinating archival records, photos and footage that captured the events and challenges from the railway’s first 60 years, including its impact on First Nations people.From the construction effort and its diverse workforce to the unique lives of communities that sprang up along the line, this is a must-see exhibition for those who revel in Australia’s railway history through time and place.
Until 19 October | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Cézanne to Giacometti: Highlights from Museum Berggruen / Neue Nationalgalerie
Cézanne to Giacometti: Highlights from Museum Berggruen / Neue Nationalgalerie marks the first time works from this internationally significant collection will be seen in Australia. The exhibition presents a journey through the dynamic changes in European and Australian art in the twentieth century. Don’t miss it.
Until Saturday 21 September | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Her Parts
Play and create in The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Her Parts, a dedicated interactive space created by artist Sanné Mestrom. Building on artistic dialogues initiated by the exhibition Cézanne to Giacometti, Mestrom transforms abstract cubist forms into a playable adventure.
Until Saturday 21 September | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Outer Space: Stromlo to the Stars
Celebrating 100 years of Mount Stromlo Observatory, this interactive exhibition highlights groundbreaking astronomical discoveries and the vibrant community of scientists and families behind them. Features immersive installations, historical objects, and interactive activities perfect for all ages.
Until 16 November | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
Taglietti: Life in Design
Discover the world of The Global Architect, Enrico Taglietti (1926–2019), a visionary whose design principles shaped modern Australian architecture and left an indelible imprint on Canberra, the city he and his wife Franca chose to call home. Celebrating the centenary of Taglietti’s birth, Taglietti: Life in Design explores the life, philosophy, and legacy of one of Australia’s most original architects.
Until Sunday 22 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, City | cmag.com.au
A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage
Celebrate 50 years of Nolan’s cultural legacy with the Canberra Museum and Gallery’s year-long program of exhibitions, concerts, talks, and a symposium. A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage showcases Sidney Nolan’s dynamic stage designs for opera, ballet, and theatre. You’ll discover costumes, set designs, and the iconic “Lyrebird” costume from The Display, 1964.
Until 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information .
In Bloom
In Bloom explores the beauty and symbolism of flowers. Featuring more than 50 portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection, new acquisitions and selected loans, you will discover how flowers have long been used in art to express emotion and convey messages of personal, cultural and religious significance.
The show is a weird and wonderful floral extravaganza that includes much-loved and lesser-known works from the collection. See socialites, chefs, musicians, actors, doctors and politicians who are all unified by their accompanying floral markers.
Until Sunday 19 April 2026 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Wellbeing
Welcoming Winter with Intention Setting and Restorative Yoga at Ginninderry
Want to welcome winter with intention? This special restorative yoga class at Ginninderry is just what you need. Starting with journalling prompts to your intentions for winter on paper, along with learning how to ‘program’ a tumble crystal (chosen specially for the season), the session will also include some light breathwork and a short meditation.
Saturday 14 June | The Link, 1 McClymont Way, Strathnairn | eventbrite.com.au
Workshops, Talks and Programs
I and our environment
Explore the two sides of AI’s impact on the environment with experts Camille Goldstone-Henry from Xylo Systems and Associate Professor Chang Xu. Learn about AI’s environmental footprint and its potential as a powerful tool to help protect and restore the natural world.
Tuesday 10 June | Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Canberra | science.org.au
Long Pose in the Lounge
Join The Tipsy Sketching Club for a relaxing evening of long-pose life drawing set in Canberra’s highest cocktail bar. The session runs for approximately two hours with timed poses from 2-30 minutes, with breaks for drinks, food and sharing.
Tuesday 10 June | QT Canberra, 1 London Circuit, QT Lounge – Level 15, City | tipsysketching.club
A traveller’s guide to the world’s greatest libraries at the National Library
Join the Friends of the National Library for an enlightening talk on the joy of library tourism, exploring how visiting libraries while traveling can be as culturally illuminating as exploring local markets. Light afternoon tea will be provided after the talk.
Wednesday 11 June | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place West, Parkes | library.gov.au
Curious Corner: Babies in Arms
Join the National Gallery for a free monthly talk for parents and carers with babies in arms. Let your baby play with tactile materials while connecting with other parents through discussions about art and ideas with National Gallery Curators.
Wednesday 11 June | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Bungee jumping on election night: A conversation with Antony Green
Hear from Australian journalist and political commentator Antony Green as he reflects on his illustrious 36-year career as the ABC’s Chief Elections Analyst and all the highs and lows of election night.
Friday 13 June, 5.30 pm–6.30 pm | Manning Clark Hall, ANU | anu.edu.au
Artists in Conversation: GW Bot
Join an artist talk with renowned printmaker, painter and sculptor GW Bot to learn more about her retrospective exhibition. Bot has had 60 solo exhibitions internationally and her work is held in over a hundred public art collections worldwide.
Saturday 14 June | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Young Rangers Program
ACT Parks Rangers provide this program for young nature enthusiasts aged seven to 15 who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the natural environment. During the session, children explore nature-based topics, make friends, and ask questions with Rangers and special guests.
Saturday 14 June | Jerrabomberra Wetlands Office, 2 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | actparks.bookeasy.com
