Encaustic Art with Sallie Saunders

Canberra Art Workshop (CAW) proudly operates at two vibrant creative hubs, M16 Artspace in Griffith and the Belco Arts Centre in Belconnen. CAW serves as a dynamic hub for artists of all levels, from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned professionals, all united by a genuine passion for art and a desire to learn.

Originally established as the Canberra Art Club in 1948, we became a registered association in 1975, rebranding as Canberra Art Workshop Inc. In recent years, CAW has blossomed into one of Canberra’s premier arts organizations, drawing a diverse array of participants to our engaging activities and exhibitions. Since mid 2025, we have expanded our offerings to include courses and workshops at our studio in the Belconnen Arts Centre.

CAW hosts a bustling events calendar featuring self-directed art groups, tutored courses, and workshops led by experienced art professionals, alongside our annual exhibitions. These showcases highlight exceptional paintings, prints, drawings and more.

Whether you seek to hone your skills or explore new artistic avenues, CAW is the ideal place to connect with fellow artists and unleash your creative potential.

Visit Us

M16 Artspace

21 Blaxland Crescent Griffith ACT 2603

Belconnen Arts Centre
118 Emu Bank Belconnen ACT 2617

BECOME A MEMBER

Become a member now and receive access to art groups, discounts on courses and workshops, the option to showcase work in a biannual exhibition, and receive regular newsletters.

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1948

Canberra Art Club

1950

Canberra University

OUR HISTORY

OUR ORIGINAL BUILDING

FLASHBACK

1954-Exbn-Canberra-Art-Club_cover-700x1032

Flashback

How CAW exhibited in 1954.

Each ‘On Show’ exhibition by CAW makes history in its own ways.

As it happens, one of CAW’s friends, Dr Alan Jones, has been researching Canberra’s art societies.

We are grateful to Alan for discovering in the National Library the room sheet for our fifth annual exhibition in 1954.

Back then, Canberra Art Workshop was called the Canberra Art Club.

The 1954 exhibition included ‘hero’ paintings by three of the then modernist gods of the Sydney art scene, Roland Wakelin, Margo Lewers and Jean Bellette.

They provided six of the 75 paintings in the show (look at the prices!)

Our 1954 exhibition was turbocharged by including these ‘big name’ contemporary artists to boost visitor numbers.

And, nationally-known art personalities were directly involved with our organisation in other ways at that time.

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Seven Decades of Art Activism

Over the decades, Canberra Art Workshop (back when we were called the Canberra Art Club) has been active in lobbying for the creation of the national capital’s major visual arts institutions.

Artists from around Australia have been associated with Canberra Art Workshop — including household names like Max Meldrum, John Coburn, Clifton Pugh, John Brack and Lloyd Rees.

It’s worth having a look at where Canberra Art Workshop came from and what we’ve achieved.

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