OSCA

From Kingston SE to Andamooka, OSCA is out and about this weekend!

We’re supporting two events across South Australia: the launch of Kingston Weaving in Kingston SE and Opal Evolution in Andamooka.

With Nature Festival running until 11 October, there’s still plenty of time to explore the art, community and nature projects happening near you. Get involved and discover something new!

SITE-BASED PRACTICES 26 - workshop call out and applications are OPEN!

Applications are now open for SITE BASED PRACTICES 26 - a 3 day professional initiative exploring ideas and approaches to creating temporary art projects in the public domain. The workshop is open to emerging and established artists working across all artforms. It has been developed in partnership between OSCA, FELTspace and the project facilitators.

The initiative offers a nurturing space for artists to gather in a professional collegial setting, build skills, increase networks, share knowledge and hear from experienced artists, gaining confidence to develop and create innovative works.

Workshop dates: 1 to 3 Dec 2026 from 10am to 4pm each day
Location: FELTspace Gallery, 266 Angas St, Adelaide, and surrounding areas

Facilitated by the artists Emmaline Zanelli (independent), David Cross (academic / curator) and Paul Gazzola (OSCA Artistic Director), participants will be invited to research various sites and develop a series of conceptual and physical responses in a collaborative studio-based process.

For more information on the workshop and how to apply visit the link in the comments.

Application due: 28 October 2026

SITE BASED PRACTICES 26 has been supported by Create SA, City of Adelaide, FELTspace and OSCA. This workshop is a precursor to a new festival of temporary public art planned by OSCA in 2028.

Things are really taking shape for the premiere opening of the Kingston Weaving next weekend!

Kingston Weaving is a First Nations led, large-scale sculpture project by Aboriginal artists Sonya, Suzy and Sarah Smith. The project has been made in collaboration with the artists Deborah Twining, Tony Hannan and Open Space Contemporary Arts / OSCA.

This long-term project (that began in 2024) seeks to embed First Nations knowledge back into the community. Offering a rare opportunity to engage with innovative First Nations professional contemporary art practice at a local level.

The sculptures have been made with the participation of local community members and students from the Kingston Community School. As well as participants from across the greater Limestone Coast and across South Australia.

Kingston Weaving is a new work commissioned by OSCA as part of our Projects of the Everyday initiative, that seeds, develops and presents artist-led projects in innovative spaces of creativity, making and experimentation across the whole of South Australia.

This event is free and open to all ages.

Exhibition open each day from 10am to 8pm in Lions Park, Kingston Southeast

Saturday 3rd Oct: Talk and workshops from 10am to 2pm

Sunday 4th Oct: Open workshops from 11am to 2pm

This project is supported by Create SA, Creative Australia, Stand Like Stone Foundation, FRRR, Nature Festival, RAA, Fabrik Arts and Culture, Creative Partnerships Australia, Kingston Community School, Kingston District Council, Murray Bridge Art Gallery, Hahndorf Academy and OSCA.

Tracks of the Unseen - screening this weekend

Join us for an afternoon of First-Nation’s science featuring a Welcome and Smoking ceremony from Taikurtinna, The Fish Net Dance with an introduction by Jamie Goldsmith, a screening of Track of the Unseen with an introduction by Narungga film maker Jay Milera, and scientists working with Narungga people on the Reef Restoration Project. This event is Supported by the SA National Science Week Committee.

Sunday 30 August, 2pm-4pm
Yitpi Yartapuultiku, 1300 Old Port Rd, Port Adelaide
Tickets free via scienceweek.net.au

Free event this Friday - Join South Australia based artists Cynthia Schwertsik and Paul Gazzola (OSCA AD) as they discuss creative collaboration with communities and approaches to socially engaged research and art projects.

This free lunchtime talk is perfect for artists, arts workers and arts interested audiences looking to understand two artists’ approach to participatory arts practice. Cynthia and Paul will focus on how these ideas are present in their current research and ART POD residency, ‘What’s the thing inside a thing...’.

Audiences can participate in ‘What’s the thing inside a thing...’ by bringing an object, idea, or question to be disassembled in collaboration with the artists before the talk from 10:30am.

When - This Friday, 7 August, 12pm-1pm
Where - ART POD, 25 Pirie St, Adelaide

Hosted by City of Adelaide

Register here https://events.humanitix.com/thing-sala

TOMORROW - Open Talks: Building Sustainable Creative Practice

Join us for an engaging panel discussion exploring what it takes to build a sustainable creative arts practice.

2pm-4pm at Good Bank Gallery McLaren Vale

Featuring representatives from South Australia’s leading galleries: Hugo Michell Gallery, The Little Machine, Sauerbier House, Post Office Projects (POP) and Nexus Arts and Good Bank Gallery

This discussion brings together a range of perspectives across the contemporary arts sector. From artist-run initiatives and community-focused arts spaces to commercial galleries, studio development programs and artist residencies, the panel will explore the different models that support contemporary artists and the opportunities available at various stages of practice.

Designed for artists at all career stages, this session encourages open conversation, questions and the sharing of practical knowledge to help support a thriving and sustainable creative and contemporary arts career.

CONVERSATIONALISTS:
Gabi Lane - Hugo Michell Gallery
Michael Newall - The Little Machine
Jaynie Langford - Sauerbier House
Ruth Weldon - Post Office Projects & Nexus Arts
Declan Brown - Good Bank Gallery

CONVERSATION HOST:
Zoë Brooks
Artist, Creative Producer and former Co-Director of Good Bank Gallery

This initiative has been developed as part of the Building Sustainable Creative Practice series and is presented in partnership by Good Bank Gallery and Open Space Contemporary Arts (OSCA) with support from the City of Onkaparinga.

Free Weaving Workshop - tomorrow!

To celebrate NAIDOC week, we are opening up 5 additional spots at each of our sold out Kingston Weaving workshops tomorrow at Fabrik Arts and Heritage , Lobethal. You’ll learn how to weave and contribute pieces to a large animal totem.

Workshops are held 11am-1pm and 2-4pm. If you’re interested in a free place, please send us a message.

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.