As part of the Melbourne Art Fair (MAF) 2025, APA will feature leading contemporary Arts Project Australia (APA) artists Julian Martin and Ruth Howard in a formal presentation, alongside a series of workshops, demonstrations, installations, and artworks in an adjacent booth.
The presentation of established artist Julian Martin will feature a suite of powerful black-and-white pastel works. Moving between figuration and abstraction, Martin’s pastels evoke a visceral response, with pigment powder pressed deeply into the surface of the paper. Martin continuously reinterprets and responds to form, achieving a harmony of texture and depth that embraces and transcends the parameters of abstraction.
In contrast to the wall-mounted two-toned work of Martin, a large-scale installation of abstract works by Ruth Howard will be presented on the floor of the space. Howard’s obscure clay sculptures are hand-built and drenched in coloured glaze. Dense in form with a chunky, organic elegance, the installation will have architectural resonance.
The presentation will salute iconic APA artist Julian Martin’s 30-year career and mark a critical juncture in Ruth Howard’s flourishing practice. Howard is fast becoming a favourite of avid collectors, building momentum over the last year with works featured in Reading Room Gallery, Small Pleasures (curated by Sassy Park) at Gallery Lowe and Lee, and in Colour is Enough curated by David Sequeira at Arts Project Australia’s Collingwood Gallery.
The adjacent booth will echo the vibrant energy of the APA studio, hosting APA artist-led workshops and demonstrations alongside installations and artwork created through the studio’s diverse programs. The accompanying public programs will give visitors the chance to connect with APA artists, learn about their processes, and the studio. Highlights include a Thursday night session for VIP visitors, Funky Forgeries – adigital drawing session featuring Kate Knight, James MacSporran, and Rob McHaffie where participants will be guided in using Procreate on iPad.
Friday’s session includes Video Hits 2, a presentation of music video recreations of iconic clips and artist talk with Danny Lyons; and Fan Factor, a fan art workshop celebrating album covers with James Dawes.
Saturday’s sessions include Retribution Teddy Bears, where APA artist Adrian Lazzaro leads teddy bear transformations, and Receiver Reprise, a sensory art workshop led by members of APAs Professional Practice program known as The Northcote Penguins.
Sunday wraps up with Midnight Club, a soft sculpture car-making workshop with Chris O’Brien, and Self Reflections, a watercolour self-portrait session led by Jordan Dymke. All programs are free, with materials provided and limited spots available.
Presented by Presented by Arts Project Australia artist Danny Lyons, and staff artist Lesley Pinder
Date: Friday 21 February 2025, 1:00-2:00pm
Venue:Arts Project Australia Open Studio, Booth K1, Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2A Clarendon Street, South Wharf 3006
*Please note that workshop attendees must hold a ticket to Melbourne Art Fair.
Fan Factor:Listening and drawing party
Presented by James Dawes, Carolyn Hawkins, Dani Hakim and Arts Project Australia
Date: Friday 21 February 2025, 4:00-6:00pm
Venue:Arts Project Australia Open Studio, Booth K1, Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2A Clarendon Street, South Wharf 3006
*Please note that workshop attendees must hold a ticket to Melbourne Art Fair.
Retribution Teddy Bears:Modify a cuddly toy
Presented by Adrian Lazzaro, Kerrie Neilen and Arts Project Australia
Date: Saturday 22 February 2025, 11:00am-1:00pm
Venue:Arts Project Australia Open Studio, Booth K1, Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2A Clarendon Street, South Wharf 3006
*Please note that workshop attendees must hold a ticket to Melbourne Art Fair.
Receiver Reprise:Let your senses wander
Presented by Arts Project Australia’s Northcote Penguins and staff artist Tom Pendergast
Date: Saturday 22 February 2025, 2:00-4:00pm
Venue:Arts Project Australia Open Studio, Booth K1, Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2A Clarendon Street, South Wharf 3006
*Please note that workshop attendees must hold a ticket to Melbourne Art Fair.
Midnight Club:Sew a soft sculpture car
Presented by Arts Project Australia artist Chris O’Brien, and staff artist Nic Megchelse
Date: Sunday 23 February 2025, 11:00am-1:00pm
Venue:Arts Project Australia Open Studio, Booth K1, Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2A Clarendon Street, South Wharf 3006
*Please note that workshop attendees must hold a ticket to Melbourne Art Fair.
Self Reflections:Watercolour workshop
Presented by Arts Project Australia artist Jordan Dymke, and staff artist Suzie Brown
Date: Sunday 23 February 2025, 2:00-4:00pm
Venue:Arts Project Australia Open Studio, Booth K1, Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2A Clarendon Street, South Wharf 3006
*Please note that workshop attendees must hold a ticket to Melbourne Art Fair.
Funky Forgeries: Procreate workshop
Presented by Arts Project Australia artists Kate Knight, James MacSporran, and staff artist Rob Mchaffie.
Date: Thursday 20 February 2025, 1:00-3:00pm
Venue: Arts Project Australia Open Studio, Booth K1, Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2A Clarendon Street, South Wharf 3006
Price: This workshop is by invitation only.
Materials provided
Accessibiliy
Wheelchair accessible
Auslan interpreter available on request
Accessible toilets, ramps and lifts are available throughout the venue. Companion cards are accepted.
A quiet space is available inside the venue, please see a Melbourne Art Fair staff member for directions.
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is on the bank of the Yarra River in South Wharf. It is a short walk from Melbourne’s central business district and a 20-minute drive from Melbourne Airport.
Enter via Exhibition Door 1. The nearest MCEC entrance is on Clarendon Street.
Getting Here
Catch any train that goes to Southern Cross Station. Get off at Southern Cross Station and take tram number 96, 109 or 112 as above.
The trams listed below stop opposite the Clarendon Street entrance of Melbourne Convention Centre:
Route 96 – St Kilda to East Brunswick
Route 109 – Port Melbourne to Box Hill
Route 12 – Victoria Gardens to St Kilda
Alternatively catch tram number 48 or 70 and get off at the Flinders Street stop. Then take a short walk towards the Yarra River, across the Seafarers Bridge. For further tram timetable information and trip planning, visit the Victorian Public Transport website.
There is paid underground parking available, however pre-booking is required to ensure you are guaranteed a spot*.
Book a spot at MCEC Wilson Parking here. The closest MCEC carpark doors are: 2, 3, 4, 5.
The 50th anniversary Gala Exhibition celebrates APA studio and online artists with over 200 artworks on display and available for purchase, allowing collectors to take pieces home the same night.
