Hands On Studio turns 30 as artist hopes Gillard portrait hangs in parliament
Artist Stephen Corsini has been attending Canberra's Hands On Studio for 30 years. He hopes his portrait of Australia's first female prime minister will one day hang in Parliament House.
Hands On Studio, an Australian art organization, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this weekend. Since its establishment in 1996, the studio has provided a supportive space for individuals of all abilities to create art. Operated by Marymead CatholicCare in the suburbs of Griffith and O'Connor, the center now employs 25 art teachers who guide 125 artists each week in various art forms such as painting, textiles, ceramics, stop-motion animation, and sculpture.
The studio's director, Tilly Davey, attributes the program's popularity to its ability to give artists a sense of freedom and self-expression. The studio has been a long-term home for many artists, with some attending classes for 15 or 20 years, even since the studio's inception 30 years ago. Julia Gillard, the first female prime minister of Australia, is the subject of a portrait by Hands On Studio artist Stephen Corsini.
Corsini hopes to have the painting displayed in Parliament House, considering it would be more prestigious than other artworks by Hands On Studio artists in the gallery. The studio's future is supported by funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and fundraising efforts. This weekend, Hands On Studio will host a celebration and fundraiser to mark its 30 years of operations.
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