The garden is gorgeous at Sturt, putting on a show for more and more visitors. 

We are throwing a joyous end of year Sturt Christmas Celebration - Friday 9 December from 4.00pm-8.00pm and would like you all to join us. We have combined the celebration with a Christmas Shopping Evening, and the launch of a beautiful new exhibition, ATTUNE. The exhibition will feature the work of Southern Highlands Printmakers collaborating with their selected contemporary craftsperson in response to an original work by folklorist Keith McKenry. Keith will open the exhibition with a performance of his poem at 5.00pm and there will be live music, Sohi Gin cocktails and Tertini bubbles to sip while you find that unique handmade Christmas gift (with an added treat of 10% off) from outstanding Australian makers in the Gallery Shop – we will also have our Sturt helpers standing by ready to do the gorgeous Christmas wrapping. For the first time, Sturt is proud to be taking part in the region’s Festival of Lights. To help us plan for numbers we would appreciate if you booked at trybooking.com/CDTNG. For those of you who will not be able to make the evening - ATTUNE runs in Sturt Gallery until 29 January.

We are getting ready for Sturt Summer School where close to 200 creative minds will converge at Sturt for a week-long kick start to the new year.

Most classes are booked out with long waiting lists but there are still a few places in creative stitching and mark making with Melinda Young (aka the unnatural jeweller on Instagram), Enamelling jewellery with Barbara Ryman, watercolour, calligraphy, drawing and mosaics. Plans are already in place for the welcome drinks, inspiring artists’ talks, yoga and massages - nurturing and renewal for the year ahead. You can also stay on the beautiful Frensham campus to get the most out of the experience. Ella’s Holiday will wrap up the Summer School party with dancing at the end of the week. To find out more visit sturt.nsw.edu.au – but hurry, bookings will close soon.

We are still glowing from the uplifting celebration for the Sturt School for Wood Class of ‘22 furniture design and technology students where we opened the stunning showcase of their year’s work in CAMBIUM, which is still on show in the Gallery until this Sunday 4 December.

The ceremony commenced in Clubbe Hall where much-loved local Joyce Saunders gave the students wildflower posies and delivered the Acknowledgement of Country. Luminary designer and 4^th generation furniture maker from Bowral, Jon Goulder followed with an inspiring address about ‘failing fabulously’ and urging the young makers to embrace opportunities of BOTH craft and design. Ross Wortham from WA won the Studio Woodworkers Australia Student of the Year Award, while new president of the World Craft Council, master weaver, Liz Williamson delivered the inaugural Tony Stirton Spirit of Sturt Award in memory of her husband Tony who attended the Sturt School for Wood in 1990 and was transformed by the experience. The award was presented to treasured Friend of Sturt, Michael Harris, a student who had humbly helped his cohort and tutors, fixing up the wood school and working hard behind the scenes to help the school flourish. A second encouragement award was given to Bethany Fowler, a student with no woodworking experience who had impressed tutors with her dedication and her astounding learning curve. The heart-warming celebration continued back at Sturt, where visitors enjoyed CAMBIUM - named after the layer under bark that aptly assists growth.

Sturt School for Wood continues to hone young designer/makers of the future. The same week Sturt carved out huge success with Wood Review Maker of the Year Awards, where half the Class of ‘21 Sturt School for Wood students won awards. Sturt graduate Jess Humpston took out Maker of the Year with her stunning Ch-air created at Sturt this year as part of her artists in residence. Daniel Little and Brandon Harris won their categories and many more made the top 10, reinforcing the important role Sturt plays in nurturing fine furniture designer/makers in Australia.

What’s been happening at Sturt?

Sturt also hosted the open of the Southern Highlands Arts Trail, where I had the pleasure of officially opening the trail across two weeks of open studios – one of the largest ever with 50 studios and eight galleries taking part for the first two weekends of November.

We have had huge leaps forward with a new online booking system and database called Arlo, which has immediately started the streamlining of bookings and improved efficiency of administration overall. It is encouraging to see all the bookings coming in for Summer School.

Matina Bourmas, a jeweller from South Australia is here with her self-guided residency in the jewellery studio where she is working on a new body of work until Christmas. 

Exciting news, Sturt Gallery is a finalist, along with so many other wonderful businesses, in the Local Business Awards. We will let you know how we go in December!

Thank you to the creative spirits – staff and volunteers alike - who have helped Sturt flourish during the year. 

Have a wonderful festive season with those you love. We look forward to an exciting year ahead in 2023 and we hope to welcome you to Sturt very soon.

Warmly, Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt