It’s our fave arty-farty intellectually stimulating program of the year; DAC:CAC at Craft ACT – where the objét of the exercise is to focus attention on the looming Canberra Centenary (2013.)

DAC:CAC is a fabulously vibrant project that’s now into its third year – and gearing up incrementally as it gets nearer and nearer to The Big Bang Galah.

Barb and her crew at Craft ACT continue to turn the juice up a notch every year, and it’s quietly building  into something that’s gunna REALLY GO OFF  by the big ’13.

Get involved, dudes, that’s our advice. Otherwise you’ll miss out on all the serious fun…

Here’s this year’s rundown, courtesy of the lovely Diana…

Designing a Capital: Crafting a City 09 
13 August – 1 September 2009
 
In less then five years Canberra will celebrate its Centenary. Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre has taken this opportunity to celebrate the centenary by drawing to light the innovation and imagination resident in the city, by leading and emerging contemporary craft practitioners – presenting Designing a Capital: Crafting a City 09. A stellar line-up of events that will rummage through the myths, criticisms, aspirations and responsibilities of the nations capital, focusing on the dynamic visual art scene. Exhibitions will expose new ideas sourced directly from the graduates of the Australian National University School of Art, University of Canberra and the Canberra Institute of Technology. Programs of dialogue will illuminate Canberra as a breeding ground for artistic practice and determine the value of the arts which contributes to this unique city. Join in the discussion and rediscover your home.
 
EVENTS
 
Epidemic
Craft ACT Gallery 1 & 2 / 13 – 25 August. Closing party from 6pm Tuesday 25 August. Special opening hours: 10am – 5pm Monday 17 & 24 August.
Taking over the galleries at Craft ACT are the latest graduates who have broken out and started to craft and design a career in the arts – University of Canberra Ben Hubbard and Renee Osterloh; Australian National University School of Art Richard Blackwell and Dan Edwards and Canberra Institute of Technology Eden Waugh and Jacob Potter.
 
LOST YOU Deborah Fiori
Crucible Showcases / 13 – 25 August.
Responding to the words LOST YOU as painted across Canberra road, Ginninderra Drive, Fiori creatively explores the multifaceted nature of loss, and the challenges communities face in allocating space for such sentiment.
 
city of design talkfest: industry – innovation
Craft ACT Gallery 1 & 2 – FREE EVENT / Thursday 20 August 6pm – 7pm
city of design talkfest dives deep into the vital but sometimes tenuous links between craft and industry. Join Barbara McConchie Executive Director of Craft ACT and Catrina Vignando General Manager of Craft Australia along with leading Canberra professionals, Dr John Howard University of Canberra, Glen Martin & Obelia Tait Pecha Kucha Canberra Co-ordinators, Robert Foster F!NK and Co., Dianne Firth Environmental Design University of Canberra, as they discuss the questions: Does craft and design have a place in the innovation revolution? & How can we drive this change in Canberra?
 
Living with Ruth Lane-Poole: an Interior Legacy
Canberra Museum and Gallery – FREE EVENT / Crn London Cct and Civic Sq, Canberra City
Tuesday 1 September 2pm – 5pm / Contact Craft ACT to reserve your seat. (02) 6262 9333.
Explore the legacy of Ruth Lane-Poole, join a number experts, including Dr Susan Mary Withycombe, Dr David Headon, Charles Lane-Poole biographer John Dargavel, National Library of Australia’s Eleanor Goodwin and Rowan Henderson, Curator, Social History, Canberra Museum and Gallery – as they discuss several key questions: What concepts of design and modernity did she bring to the city of Canberra? Is her work recognised in the context of a living museum? & Is the Lodge, as a primary residence, still fit for the Australian Prime Minister today?
 
Feast for All Senses
Craft ACT Shop –FREE EVENT / Thursday 27 August 6pm – 7pm
Craft ACT in partnership with Di Bartolo Wines presents an evening celebration of local talent. Presenting the taste bud tingling boutique wines by Di Bartolo, and celebrating the innovative designs of local craft and designers, you are invited to a Feast for All Senses wine tasting at the Craft ACT Shop. Meet local wine vignerons (growers) Ross and Fiona Di Bartolo and add to your repertoire of wines, mingle with the makers and enjoy unique and creative objects of contemporary craft and design, the fun, the quirky, the cutting edge and the stylish.
Bookings are essential. Contact Craft ACT (02) 6262 9333
 
Craft ACT Bingo Extravaganza!
Craft ACT Gallery 1 & 2 / 6pm till late Saturday 29 August
Craft ACT’s fundraiser for the year – the Craft ACT Bingo Extravaganza! We invite you to become a stamping fanatic, adopt a new lingo: Legs 11, 2 Little Ducks, 66 Clickety Clicks and 1 Fat Lady, and vie for prizes donated by the members of Craft ACT and local businesses.
Entry: $20 includes dinner and lucky door prize. Bookings are essential. Contact Craft ACT (02) 6262 9333.

HELL, YEAH!! – we love that bingo night.