Stay up to date with exhibitions, new releases, and studio happenings – see below.

From group shows to special projects, this space shares the latest from Studio Nessence.

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Cameo – where art meets craftsmanship

I’m incredibly excited to be part of Cameo, a collaborative exhibition with bespoke shoemaker Betty Bossy Boots, presented as part of Ballarat Craft and Design Week 2026 (https://www.creativeballarat.com.au/bcdw26/cameo).

This project brings together artists and artisan in a really unique way. Each artist was invited to create an original work on cameo-shaped leather, which then becomes the starting point for a pair of handcrafted shoes. The result is a collection that bridges art and function – where painting becomes something you can wear, and craftsmanship becomes a frame for storytelling.

For me, this collaboration has been an exploration of translation – how a visual idea can shift and evolve when reinterpreted through another maker’s hands and materials. But it’s also been an exercise in letting go.

At the time of writing, I haven’t yet seen the final pair of shoes inspired by my piece.

There’s something quietly thrilling about that – the idea that the work has taken on a new life beyond my studio, shaped by another creative perspective. The reveal becomes part of the artwork itself: a moment where intention meets interpretation, and where two practices intersect in a way neither could achieve alone.

The exhibition runs from 1–30 May at Gallery 10, 10 Bridge Mall, Ballarat, open Thursday–Sunday, 11am–5pm, with the official opening on Sunday 3 May, 3–5pm – a moment I’m especially looking forward to, as it will be the first time I see the finished shoes and the collaboration fully realised.

Cameo is a celebration of connection – between disciplines, between makers, and between the artwork and the body. It reflects the spirit of Ballarat’s creative community, where collaboration and experimentation are not just encouraged, but essential.

Hidden Gems @ the Unicorn

We’re coming to Ballarat!!

For those who have not had a chance to visit our studios as yet – we’ve decided to come to you….

HIDDEN GEMS
@
THE UNICORN

 129-131 Sturt Street, Ballarat

31st Jan – 1st March
Open: Thurs -Sun 11.00 – 4.00pm

“Meet the Artists” – Fri 6th Feb
5.00 – 7.00pm
 
ALL WELCOME

Hidden Gem at the Unicorn brings together twelve artists from the Hidden Gems Art Studios collective for a month-long creative experience in the heart of Ballarat. Showcasing diverse works including painting, photography, ceramics, textiles, printmaking and mixed media, the event celebrates the depth of artistic talent across Golden Plains Shire and Ballarat. The collective is known for its collaborative spirit—pooling resources, sharing networks and supporting each other’s practice across the region. Open Thursdays to Sundays from 31 January to 1 March 11am – 4pm, with a special Meet the Artists event on Friday 6 February, 5–7pm. Held at The Unicorn Collection, 129–131 Sturt Street, Ballarat.

🔗 For full event details and studio listings, visit: https://www.hiddengemsartstudios.com/
📲 Follow @hiddengemsartiststudios on Instagram and Facebook for updates

You can use this map to plan your visits to the Hidden Gem studios