Join us for the final presentation and public dyeing event of the Living City: People, Plants, and Place 2024 program, presented by Dr. Rebecca Mayo. Experience the Plant Sensibilia Machine, a large-scale, hand-operated dyeing device that brings the creative process from the studio to the public realm. 

What to Expect on the Day 

Visitors will have the unique opportunity to watch as a textile design, created by Hands On Studio, is revealed through the Plant Sensibilia Machine using the colours of locally collected plants. This collaborative textile artwork features an energetic design inspired by data, drawings, and observations gathered from workshop participants throughout the year. The final design was created by the artists at Hands On Studio over two workshops held in November this year. 

Available facilities | Fresh coffee brewed by Saccharum Espresso.  An accessible portable restroom will be available for public use on the day. 

What to bring | Closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, a hat, drinking water, and any necessary medications. Please bring lunch / snacks if you wish.

Weather | The event may be postponed in the event of extreme weather conditions, including a total fire ban. For updates, please check this site before attending.  

Acknowledgments 

We extend our sincere thanks to the following individuals and organisations for their generous support and participation: 

• ArtsACT for funding this project 

• Jennifer Bardsley, Founder of Gawari Mada, and the many enthusiastic local community members 

• Hands On Studio for the final design, which we are printing on the day 

• The Link - Ginninderry Community & Information Centre for venue availability 

• Dr. Rebecca Mayo, program coordinator 

• Program members: Mitchell Whitelaw, Erica Seccombe, Alia Parker 

• Program administrator: Irina Agaronyan 

• Program assistants: Bridget Baskerville, Sophia Flo Dacy-Cole, and Greta Cooper 

About the Program 

In 2024, the first year of the Living City: People, Plants, and Place program, the ANU School of Art & Design collaborated with Gawari Mada (Holt Micro-Forest). Their generous support and participation included workshops that explored art’s role in engaging with urban natural environments. 

Living City: People, Plants, and Place is a three-year visual arts and design program focused on Canberra's suburban communities and urban natural spaces. The program encourages accessible, inclusive, art-based engagement with urban spaces, while addressing important issues like climate change, urban biodiversity, wellbeing, and conservation. 

To learn more about the program or find out how you can get involved next year, please email: admin.somad@anu.edu.au