Canberra textile artist Sally Blake and a Melbourne weaver and sculptor Annee Miron undertook Artist-in-Residencies in Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage in the Namadgi National Park and Nil Desperandum Homestead in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

The open day was an opportunity for public to travel to the to gorgeously located cottages and share in the creative process of the artists in this unique residency period.

Presented by Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre in partnership with ACT Parks and Conservation Service, the Artist-in-Residence program is supported by artsACT through the Arts Residencies ACT initiative. It delivers individual residencies, a forum, workshops, artist talks, open days and a group exhibition.

Craft ACT has partnered with Australian National Botanic Gardens during 2014 to facilitate a formal research period for each artist, complimenting their residencies.

The program is designed to promote and showcase Canberra’s distinct natural and cultural landscape through a rich diversity of artist interpretation. It invites public engagement and facilitates dialogue, interest and awareness of many current, local environmental issues.

In September there will be an opportunity for public to visit Japanese wood artist Satoshi Fujinuma’s Open Day in one of the cottages, attend workshops as well as the forum.

For more information please contact CraftACT’s Curator of Public Programs Gwenyth McNamara and check www.events.craft.org.au