Plate to plate

Hands on studio

31 august - 12 october

Save the date for our upcoming book launch and exhibition: Plate to Plate by local powerhouse Hands On Studio! This will be a celebration of this collaborative project, ranging from programs at Mulch! community gardens, and collaborations with Megalo Print Studio, local artist Robbie Karmel and Caren Florence to design and publish Plate to Plate.

Founded in 1996, Hands On Studio (a program within Marymead-CatholicCare) provides a safe working environment for artists with a disability. Hands On Studio has become a leader in the field of Community Arts (with a focus on accessibility) in the Canberra region, by exhibiting regularly and developing authentic relationships with creative institutions and the broader community sector.

Plate to Plate is continuing this valuable work of building collaborative relationships across different sectors of the ACT community. Throughout 2024 Marymead-Catholiccare programs (Hands On, MULCH and Cook On Club) have been working together to exchange knowledge, skills, and ideas. Many of these teams/members have been working together for years. As a collective these programs have partnered with Megalo Print Studio, local artist Robbie Karmel and Caren Florance to design and publish Plate to Plate.

The project is not only enriching and expanding the work and practice of everyone involved (both staff and participants) but will also produce a physical record of the experience, via the published cookbook. This book will be a means of sharing the learning from the project with the broader public.

The booklaunch for the Plate to Plate cookbook will coincide with the exhibition opening 2pm, 31 August, celebrating this collaborative project and boundlessly creative artworks by Hands On Studio artists.

Events + Dates:

Saturday 31 August // 2-4pm: Book launch and exhibition opening

Join us from 2-4pm, Saturday 31 August and celebrate the very special book launch and exhibition opening for Plate to Plate by Hands On Studio. The exhibition will be opened by Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA, Minister for Health, Children, Youth and Family Services, Disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.

Thursday 12 September // 10-11am: Open mic + drawing morning with Hands On Studio artists

Hands On Studio will be in the gallery from 10-11am, Thursday 12 September for a drop in and draw session. Come and experience the exhibition and join the fun of drawing in response to the works of the exhibition - or complete a drawing of your own imagination - together with Hands On Studio in this relaxed and engaging drop in and draw event.

Saturday 21 September // 10-11am: Floor talk with Tilly Davey, Caren Florance and Robbie Karmel

Join Hands On coordinator and artist Tilly Davey together with book designer Caren Florance and drawing tutor Robbie Karmel from 10-11am in the gallery for this free-wheeling floor talk. Explore the exhibition and hear how it all came together within this uniquely collaborative project culminating in the beautifully crafted limited edition cookbook, Plate to Plate.

Saturday 12 October // 11am-12pm: Mental Health Month floor talk

Come along to participate in this very special floor talk, 11am-12pm, Saturday 12 October, celebrating the incredible work of Hands On Studio in the context of the exhibition and coinciding with Mental Health Month.

Plate to Plate is on display 31 August - 12 October

Megalo is open 9.30am - 5pm | Tuesday - Saturday