Rae and Will present The Masterpiece. Photo: Supplied.
From silent slapstick to world-class music, hands-on workshops to free coffee-and-create mornings, Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s new half-yearly program is shaping up as an open invitation to Canberra locals to engage with the arts on their own terms.
Running from January to June, Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s half-yearly program leans hard into accessibility, joy and participation at a time when, as CEO Caroline Downer puts it, many people are craving experiences that feel uplifting and connective.
“The program is all about providing opportunities for people to get involved as much or as little as they want in their arts experience,” Caroline said.
“You can absolutely relax and watch a show as a spectator, but you can also take an art or dance class. There are many different ways to engage.
“For us, as always, it’s about being part of our community.”
One of the most distinctive threads running through the program is physical theatre and mime, with two standout — but silent — works designed to reach extended audiences, including members of the deaf community.
In March, Canadian physical comedy artist Joylyn Secunda brings The Routine to Tuggeranong.
Secunda has been described as a “modern-day, non-binary blend of Pee-wee Herman and Mr Bean”, delivering meticulously awkward comedy without speaking a word. In keeping with the centre’s participatory ethos, Secunda will also lead a workshop for those keen to explore physical comedy themselves.
“In a time where there’s so much upheaval and sadness in the world, we’re presenting audiences with things that are uplifting,” Caroline said.
That theme continues in June with The Masterpiece, a physical theatre work following two art handlers tasked with hanging a gallery artwork, and all the chaos that unfolds when things go wrong. Like Secunda, the artists behind The Masterpiece will also offer a workshop, giving audiences the option to go deeper than the performance itself.
From virtuoso piano to genre-blurring collaborations, music also features prominently across the program.
February sees one of Australia’s most celebrated concert pianists, Simon Tedeschi, join forces with jazz violinist and vocalist George Washingmachine for a special collaboration. Countertenor Tobias Cole will also appear alongside pianist Linus Lee in The Countertenor, adding classical depth to the season.
And through its relationship with the Sydney Opera House Utzon Chamber Series, Tuggeranong Arts Centre continues to attract major touring works that might otherwise bypass Canberra. Tehran-based oud maestro and composer Yasamin Shahhosseini will make her Australian debut, performing first at the Opera House before bringing her work to Tuggeranong.
Visual art remains a strong pillar of the program, with the first suite of exhibitions opening in mid-February and bringing together a group of highly regarded printmakers who first met at the Canberra School of Art in the 1990s. The Long Look features work by artists Cecille Galiazzo, Craig Cameron, Lizzie Hall, GW Bot and John Pratt.
Bean Soup by glass artist Bailey Donovan is a playful, tactile exploration of domesticity, identity and imperfection through blown glass and installation.
And in Traces, artists Alexander Sarsfield, Bridget Baskerville, Clementine McIntosh, Gemma Brown and Sarah Murray engage with the themes of materiality, connection and land.
“Each exhibition invites public participation through a series of public programs, including the Drawing Connections workshop with Sarah Murray, The Long Look Artists Talk, and the Make Your Own Glass Bean workshop with Bailey Donovan,” Caroline said.
Importantly, the program spans a wide range of price points, including free offerings.
Friday morning “Create and Coffee” sessions invite locals to drop in, make something and connect, while school holiday programs and family-friendly shows such as ABC Kids favourites The Vegetable Plot ensure younger audiences are not forgotten.
“We’re shooting for a broad program, trying to find things that will appeal to people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels,” Caroline said.
“It’s a complex jigsaw puzzle, but the finished program really represents our diverse community.”
For more information, visit Tuggeranong Arts Centre or view the full program.
