Upnext Team

One of Australia's top live performance artists - Sarah Rowan delivers a private online inspirational masterclass exclusive to your party.Together you will be guided through the pro tips and techniques of crafting beautiful watercolour paintings- and inspiring you with stories of creativity and imagination along the way.You'll first set up a mini paint station at home or in the office (paint kits can be supplied).Sarah will then walk you through the steps in creating your own masterpiece that is personal to you (or you can choose to paint a specific image ahead of the class).While you learn the craft of bringing together canvas- brush- hands- paint and imagination- Sarah will inspire you with powerful stories on how you can each implement creativity into your work and personal life- to enhance your life experience on every level!Class is available with paint kits delivered to your door or supply your own. Perfect for online team building activities- birthday parties- hens celebrations or any occasion.

Re-construction brings together artists- one community group and two curators to reread the legacy of Jack Mundey and the Green Bans. Jack Mundey's whole life was one giant spatial project. But he didn't need art to do what he did- he had the context of the union movement. Discussing Jack Mundey's concept of green bans and public space as a 'spatial project' in an art context- is implying a common link between the union movement and art- which makes us aware of the way both offer room for alternative thinking or challenges to mainstream thinking.Sydney's Green Bans were the world's first urban uprising over planning- heritage and housing justice. In 1971- an alliance of builders' labourers and musicians- wharfies and artists- pensioners and the suburban middle class made history. Mundey secretary of the Builders' Labourers' Federation- led his comrades to the environmental barricades in June 1971 alongside a united group of 'middle-class women' from Hunters Hill who fought to save a remnant of Sydney Harbour bush. This was the first of a series of important intersectional alliances with communities. It became a new political model. At the time Mundey was a non-doctrinaire communist who later joined the Greens party.Re-construction re-enacts and re-animates texts and slogans from the unofficial archives that record sit-ins or peace marches for civil rights- gay and lesbian or women's rights and environment movements. In this case a portion of Jack Mundey's papers donated to the Trades Hall Collection are reviewed at Sydney Trades Hall.Green Bans embraced other heritage suburbs- most of them working class and many involving saving low-cost or public housing but the Builders' Labourers' Federation fought targeted battles for the rights of women- Aboriginals and gays. The establishment Sydney Morning Herald was quick to call them 'mere builders' labourers' and 'proletarian town planners'- just conservationists were called 'mere housewives'. From Kellys Bush onwards- the green ban era was just 4 years until the de-registration of the NSW Builders Labours' Federation. The additional year dedicates 1975 to their legacy: the renewal of Woolloomoolloo Public Housing- proudly declared a 'world leader' for its architecture and consultation model.COVID-19 Safety Plan - Museums and galleriesWe follow NSW Health Guidelines. Wellbeing of staff- volunteers and visitors: Information and training on COVID-19- including when to get tested- physical distancing and cleaning is provided.Physical distancing: Entry signage advising 1.5 metres social distance- Maximum of 10 visitors. (More generous than one visitor per 4 square metres of space).Hygiene and cleaning: All resting points have sanitiser- bathroom has soap- sanitiser and paper towels- all surfaces cleaned twice daily.Recordkeeping: name and a mobile number or email address for all staff- volunteers- visitors is recorded for a period of at least 28 days.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales presents Real Worlds- the fourth Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial. Supported by the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation- this exhibition presents new work by eight contemporary Australian artists who create extraordinary new worlds in drawings of great complexity and invention.With drawing as the principal medium- the exhibited works evoke distinctive ways of seeing and making sense of the world. For some- it recreates a physical environment- grounded in a deep connection to place or country. For others- it is an invention that springs forth from history- memory and the imagination.Real Worlds features drawings by Martin Bell- Matt Coyle- Nathan Hawkes- Danie Mellor- Peter Mungkuri- Becc Orszag- Jack Stahel and Helen Wright.Each Biennial has a different curatorial concept and seeks to showcase the vitality and breadth of drawing in contemporary Australian art. Some of the exhibited works from each Biennial are acquired for the Gallery's permanent collection.The Gallery will continue to be guided by the NSW Government's health guidelines. For more information and updates- please visit artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Join jeweler Alice Whish at Gaffa for a jewellery studio workshop. Through the act of play we will renovate your jewellery box- discovering what you love to wear- repair- treasure and discard. We will use the items to inspire a new jewellery piece to make and design on the day. ‍You will need to select 6 to 10 pieces of your jewellery to bring to class (maximum)- a photograph of valuable jewellery items- or bring the cheapies and come and play.‍What might you take home at the end of the day:Cleaned and repackaged jewellery treasures- ready to store or give away.Repaired items if possible (earrings- brooches etc)A new item made from broken jewellery pieces-and orA design for a new piece of jewellery you would like to own- reusing part of something you brought to class. Knowledge required: Desire to restore your jewellery collection to a wearable state- no skills required.Due to social distancing regulations we are limited to allow 4 persons max in each of our classes. ‍It's important that all students wear face masks during classes when possible and have their own workshop apron. We ask that you remain home if you are unwell or- if in the last 14 days- you have experienced cold or flu symptoms- have returned from overseas or have been to or had contact with someone from a COVID hotspot.

The Salon des Refuses was initiated by the S.H. Ervin Gallery in 1992 in response to the large number of works entered into the Archibald Prize which were not selected for display in the official exhibition. The Archibald Prize is one of Australia's most high profile and respected awards which attracts hundreds of entries each year and the S.H. Ervin Gallery's 'alternative' selection has become a much-anticipated feature of the Sydney scene.Each year our panel is invited to go behind the scenes of the judging process for the annual Archibald Prize for portraiture and Wynne Prize for landscape painting and figure sculpture at the Art Gallery of New South Wales- to select an exhibition from the many hundreds of works entered in both prizes but not chosen for the official award exhibition.The Salon des Refuses exhibition at the S.H. Ervin Gallery has established an excellent reputation that rivals the selections in the 'official' exhibition- with works selected for quality- diversity- humour and experimentation- and which examine contemporary art practices- different approaches to portraiture and responses to the landscape.Visitors can vote in the Holding Redlich People's Choice Award.Covid-Safe informationWe are registered as a Covid Safe business and have new safety measures.All visitors are required to sign in on arrival if they do not have pre-booked tickets. On arrival- visitors must sign in using the QR code provided and on completion show staff confirmation that will be displayed at the end of the check in process. Visitors without a smartphone can sign in at the Front Desk.What are we doing to make our venue safelimited the number of visitors in line with the 4 sqm per person and have introduced timed entry to reduce queues.taking the contact details of all visitors in case contact tracing is necessary.installed hand sanitising units and increasing our cleaning regime to thoroughly clean all touch points regularly throughout the day.removed some seating and other touchable items- including paper brochures.

SEDITION 2020 is an art trail that populates windows in Sydney's CBD and inner Sydney. Our only hope is art!Everyone's talking about transphobia- xenophobia- Sino phobia.- the killer flu. Everyone's talking black lives matter- cancel culture- Trump steaks- civil war and chai latte. We're all wearing activewear- running on hydrogen- harvesting metadata- masticating vegan pizza and looking like bandits.SEDITION 2020 has put the call out to a range of artists to explain just that.This year SEDITION will pivot into an art trail- that takes art out of the galleries and into the streets where works will stimulate debate in the community. In this first- the SEDITION art trail will populate 16 shopfront windows across the city.The artists who have joined with us include: Imants Tillers- Brooke Andrew- Blak Douglas- Reg Mombassa- Julie Rapp- Luke Sciberras Tamara Dean- Claudia Chan Shaw- Jason Wing- Destiny Deacon- Stu Spence- Toby Zoates- Meg Hewitt- Anne Zahalka- Fiona Lowry and Fiona Hall.The works are beautiful- but they are also related to issues in the public discourse - Black Lives Matter- sexism- anti-science- Australia v China- climate change and the toxic side of Australian culture. They are more than pretty pictures.The SEDITION art festival is in its second year. The core of SEDITION 2020 is the art trail that snakes through Sydney displaying some of Australia's best and most provocative artists. COVID-19 has hollowed out Sydney's public spaces and markets and it is in these phantom spaces that art shoots up with hope and beauty and defiance. It's a mean old world now and the hands of joyless repression have grasped our collective necks.Our only hope is art.

Seed Stitch Contemporary Textile Award 2020 is a biennial exhibition produced and presented by Australian Design Centre in partnership with the Seed Stitch Collective.This year the competition attracted 49 entries from NSW textile artists and the exhibition features outstanding work by the 25 finalists. Artists: Ali Noble | Alison Giles | Amy Jones | Barbara Rogers | Brenda Livermore |  Catherine Farry | Chris Hutch | Christina Newberry | Christine Wiltshier | Denise Lithgow | Elizabeth West | Gabrielle Mordy | Irene Manion | Jane Theau | Kelcie Bryant-Duguid | Liz Williamson | Melinda Young | Nicole Robins | Regina Krawets | Sairi Yoshizawa | Sarah Edmondson | Sue Jo Wright | Susan Fell | Suzanne Davey | Tina FoxWe are following the NSW Health COVID-19 Safety Industry Guidelines for museums and galleries to keep our guests and staff safe.

Take part in a self-guided scavenger hunt set in the botanic gardens! Challenge young minds with this specially designed adventure.The Mad Botanist is the latest adventure from Adventure Clues.Picture this: the Mad Botanist has just escaped from his secret laboratory nearby. He is in the final stages of mixing his dangerous potion and needs one final ingredient to create a deadly plant species never seen before on Earth. Very special and rare plants are at risk from his deadly experimentations and time is running out! Professor Whiz needs YOU! Professor Whiz needs your help to find the last ingredient and stop the Mad Botanist from succeeding with his evil plans. It won't be easy- the gardens are tricky to navigate and clues need to be solved.This a great trail for a family day out in a beautiful interactive environment. Kids will learn interesting facts and parents will enjoy a scenic adventure through the Botanical Gardens. The Mad Botanist trail is perfect if you are looking for an activity that will spark imaginations and challenge young minds.Play in small teamsDuration 2-3 hoursGet competitiveAdventure Clues fully supports social distancing guidelines- this is a self guided adventure in and outdoor environment. Please comply with all the latest government advice with regards to Covid-19.Refer to the Adventure Clues website for more information.What are you waiting for? Your first clue is waiting…

The Rocks is celebrating the start of Spring with the launch of The Rocks Picnic- a weekly picnic style market experience every Sunday. Sydneysiders will be able to fill up their baskets with snackable and fresh produce from a range of stalls- before finding the perfect spot overlooking Sydney city's iconic Harbour.There's delicious bread- bagels and pastries at Brooklyn Boy Bagels or platter up with gourmet goodies from Backa Sydney and Ritas Farm for the perfect picnic. Indulge your sweet tooth at Gelatissimo or satisfy your cravings with Bondi Oysters. Or splurge on both. We won't judge.Start your day with a morning stretch at the 10am free yoga session or sit back and enjoy some of Sydney's best up and coming musicians who will be joining in the fun from 11am - 3pm- bringing their laidback acoustic sets for you to enjoy.A range of picnic furniture and rugs will be available- all of which are appropriately socially distanced- ensuring groups of friends and families can safely enjoy the atmosphere.Wrap up your Sunday picnic and spend the remainder of the afternoon strolling through The Rocks Markets- discovering the cobblestone laneways full of local- handmade homewares- fashion and fresh treats. Or if you feel like popping indoors for a refreshing drink- check out one of the many local pubs.The Rocks Picnic is a perfect way to shake off the lockdown dust - see you there soon!