2022 Craft ACT Annual Report

society. The Festival theme arose
from planning for Craft ACT’s
50th—golden—anniversary which
took place in 2021. Inspired by
the symbolism of gold and the
ways that artists and designers,
like alchemists, transform raw
materials and ideas into objects,
spaces buildings, and concepts.
The Festival engaged design
thinking and creative enterprise,
speculating on solving the big
issues of our time, improving our
wellbeing, connection, creativity,
and fostering a vibrant, equitable,
sustainable, and innovative society.
The programs run with the DESIGN
Canberra Festival encouraged and
fostered connection, and a shared
creative experience with the public
welcomed at exhibition openings,
panel discussions, artists talks,
hands on workshops and festival
‘spaces’ which promoted social
connection with music, food,
drinks and activities.
The 2022 DESIGN Canberra
Festival supported and showcased
more First Nations craft and design
practitioners than ever before (10
artists). Presented in exhibitions
and public art installations was the
extraordinary work and talents of:
• Mitjili Napurrula (Papunya) an
Ikuntji textile artist featured in
the HOME:MADE exhibition.
• Kayannie Denigan (Luritja) a
designer and mixed media artist
featured in the HOME:MADE
exhibition.
• Leonie Kumutu (Papunya) an
Ikuntji textile artist featured in
the HOME:MADE exhibition.
• Mackenzie Saddler (Wiradjuri)
a designer and painter of the
graphic intervention, Geological
Transformations.
• Wayne Simon (Biripi) a designer
and maker featured in the
Golden Years exhibition.
• Leah Brideson (Kamilaroi) a
designer and co-painter of the
graphic intervention, Currents.
• Paula Savage (Kaurareg) a MOA
Arts weaver featured in Koskela
x MOA Arts.
With multiple workshops run
by the talented First Nations
practitioners Ronnie Jordan, Colin
Jordan, and Jessika Spencer—
sharing weaving techniques to
create bush animals and wearable
pieces.
For the first time in DESIGN
Canberra programming,
workshops were hosted for
children through our Creative
Kids program, developing new
family audiences for the Festival
and Craft ACT. The program
included design thinking, weaving,
and ceramics workshops. The
Designing Futures workshops
developed by artist and educator
Naomi Zouwer utilized creative
thinking techniques to imagine
Canberra futures by creating paper
components for a collaborative
sculptural installation that was on
display in our Festival Hub for the
duration of the Festival.
Week 2 Open Studio - Estelle Briedis, DESIGN Canberra Festival, 2022. Photography 5foot
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