Michael Smithson, Crested Pigeons at Night 2 (detail), digital art
Louise Spencer, Ormiston Gorge, acrylic
Tracy Elliot, Untitled (detail), collage
Jo Anne Pulko, Relax, digital drawing
Hideko Pentony, At the Long Paddock (detail), pastel
Maureen Lawrentin, The Woodland (detail), drawing
Annette Rennie, Red Shed (detail), acrylic
Lynn Nicholas, Rockpools (detail), monoprint
Trevor Willson, Waiting for Rain (detail), acrylic
Workgroups provide opportunities for ASOC members to meet and practise their art in the company of artists with similar interests and in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Formal tuition is not regularly provided; however, members learn through sharing with one another.
Regular workgroups meet in the Studio for a half-day session each week during ACT school terms. Enrolment is by the term, with a Studio fee of $50 per person payable at the start of each term. Some workgroups make extra bookings to meet when the Studio is available, e.g., during term breaks. These casual bookings are $6 per person for a half day and $12 per person for a full day. See the Workgroups Policy for information on mid-term vacancies.
The Digital Art; Open Studio – The Figure; Creative Collagists and Friday Afternoon Open Studio Workgroups meet occasionally in the studio. All ASOC members may attend these groups and pay on a session-by-session basis. The casual studio fees of $6 pp for a half day and $12 pp for a full day apply.
In some groups, members contribute to additional expenses, such as model fees.
All fees should be paid to the Convenor of the group.
We strive to maintain a clean, safe environment and to comply with public health guidelines. Workgroup participants are asked to practise good hygiene, and to contribute to the necessary cleaning tasks at the end of each session. Please bring your own cup, food and drink, including tea, coffee and milk. Members who are unwell should notify their Convenor and NOT attend their workgroup.
Our Studio is located at Studio D, M16 Artspace, Blaxland Crescent Griffith ACT.
Enquiries may be directed to a specific Workgroup Convenor (see below) or to the Workgroups Coordinator at workgroups.coordinator@asoc.net.au. Workgroup convenors maintain a waiting list for members who are interested but cannot be placed currently. Please provide your contact details to the convenor in order to be notified when there is a vacancy.
For general enquiries about workgroups please contact the Workgroups Coordinator:
Louise Spencer
louise.spencer666@gmail.com
Mondays
Hideko Pentony, South Coast Morning (detail), pastel
PASTELS AND PENCILS
Mondays 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Convenor: Ian Bignall
ianjbignall@gmail.com
This group is ideal for those with some experience working with pastel, coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, graphite and/or charcoal. Our common interest is the enthusiasm for working with different media and effects which can be achieved with underpainting, layering and using different coloured and textured supports and mediums. In addition to our weekly studio sessions, some members meet at other times to paint or sketch outdoors. Tips about mounting and framing, and where to source materials and subjects are shared. We are conscious of working in a safe environment only using non-toxic and low-dust materials and working in mainly a vertical format to minimise dust.
There are no current vacancies. Please contact the convenor
Tim Hardy, Capturing Movement (detail), oil pastel
OPEN STUDIO – FIGURE
Open to all ASOC members on a session-by-session basis
Selected Mondays 1.30 – 4.30 p.m.
Convenor: Stephen Clively
stephen.clively@gmail.com
0488 994 130
This group meets three times per term on Monday afternoons. Participants take a creative approach to depicting the figure. The model provides a mix of many short poses and a couple of longer poses. Some of the shorter poses challenge us to depict the figure in motion or in action. A range of media, from drawing and painting to the contemporary, such as iPad or tablet, may be used. Participants can usually work seated or at a standing easel.
All levels of experience are welcome.
There is a studio fee per session ($6 as at end December 2025) plus a contribution to cover the cost of the model ($13 to $27). There is a maximum of ten participants for each session and calls for attendance are made via email two weeks before each session.
This is a friendly relaxed group and artists practise and develop their own work in a supportive environment.
Please see the Calendar for the dates of our meetings. Contact the Convenor if you would like to attend any of our sessions.
Inquiries from life models are welcome.
Tuesdays
Jo Anne Pulko, Dancer 2, charcoal on paper
PORTRAIT AND LIFE
Tuesdays 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
Convenor: Stephen Clively
stephen.clively@gmail.com
0488 994 130
Each term we have an equal mix of portrait or life sessions and there is usually a choice to work seated or standing at an easel. Artists of all levels are welcome and any odourless medium may be used. There are opportunities to share our work and socialise, and we enjoy occasional group lunches and gallery visits outside of our session times.
In addition to the usual Studio fee ($50 per term), there is a model fee (approximately $20 per week) that is collected in advance at the start of the term.
Peter van Rens, Sub Terra (detail), gel print
FUN WITH PRINTMAKING
Tuesdays 1.30 – 4.30 p.m.
Convenor: Peter Van Rens
peter.christine.vanrens@gmail.com
Members experiment with a range of techniques, including lino and mono-printing, creative dry point etching and carving, using paper and other materials. We enjoy using the studio printing press. We anticipate exploring new types of printing as the group expands. Members of ASOC who are interested in seeing us in action, or even joining the group, are welcome to come along on a Tuesday afternoon. In addition to the usual Studio fee, there is a weekly fee for shared materials (currently $2 per week).
Wednesdays
Cathy Morrison, Untitled (detail), watercolour
CREATIVE WATERCOLOURS
Wednesdays 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
Convenor: Christine Jarrett
christine@christinejarrett.com.au
Painting in watercolour is relaxing and inspiring. The purpose of the workgroup is to share, enjoy and appreciate the diversity of each other’s talents and to learn from each other. We welcome artists working with different techniques from the traditional to the experimental. Members may work on their own projects or participate in various group exercises, which gives us the opportunity to share ideas and techniques, and to compare and discuss our results. Occasionally, professional artists are invited to demonstrate and advise members. We sometimes work en plein air, and we occasionally meet up at an exhibition.
Tim Hardy, Toro (detail), drawing
CREATIVE DRAWING
Wednesdays 1.30 – 4.30 p.m.
Convenor: Tim Hardy
timahardy@hotmail.com
0427 369 117
This workgroup is for those who want to explore the potential of drawing as an art form through taking risks and experimenting. Drawing is the most powerful way of developing the ability to see; it encourages new ideas and expressiveness. Subjects for drawing are limitless and the group includes both studio and plein air artwork. Group members are encouraged to use a wide range of media for mark making including ink, pencil, pastel, charcoal and paints. Drawing skills and knowledge are shared with other members and to extend one’s abilities. On a regular basis the group takes on challenging drawing exercises.
No vacancies right now. Contact the convenor to join the waiting list.
Thursdays
Elanor Lacey, It's Walk Time (detail)
ALL COMERS
Thursdays 9.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
Convenor: Annette Rennie
mrennie@bigpond.net.au
6291 4212
The All Comers workgroup extends a friendly welcome to members of all abilities, from beginners to experienced. All media and subjects are covered in this workgroup, and assistance and constructive advice is freely available.
Jeff Isaacs, Wandering Albatross (detail),
FLORA AND FAUNA
Thursdays 1.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Convenor: Gillian Bellas
blandfordiagb@gmail.com
6288 5041
The Flora and Fauna workgroup is for anyone who likes to draw/paint any form of animal or plant life in whatever style is chosen; realistic, abstract, botanical, or futuristic. All types of media, with the exception of toxic solvents, are explored by members of the group. Table easels may be used, but due to space restrictions, we do not use standing easels. Group members are happy to assist with feedback, advice and encouragement. We are a sociable group and enjoy a lot of laughs.
fRIDAYS
Lynn Nicholas, Rockpools 4, mono print
CONTEMPORARY
Fridays 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
Convenor: Lynn Nicholas
lynnnic62@icloud.com
0423 626 162
The ASOC Contemporary Group is an enthusiastic, friendly and supportive group. We enjoy exploring a wide range of techniques using various media with a view to mutual artistic development. We have held many successful exhibitions over the years and enjoy having this common focus to bring our individual skills and talents together. We all choose our own subject matter but swap ideas and feedback. Sometimes we sketch outdoors for extra inspiration or invite a tutor for the morning. Our members are very generous with sharing their knowledge and expertise and will often give a demonstration. We inspire and encourage one another.
No vacancies right now. Contact the convenor to join the waiting list.
Stephen Clively, Social Distancing No More
FRIDAY OPEN STUDIO
Open to all ASOC members on a session-by session basis
Selected Fridays 1.30 – 4.30 p.m. Check the ASOC Calendar.
Convenor: Stephen Clively
stephen.clively@gmail.com
0488 994 130
This group is super casual. It meets occasionally each term when the studio is available for use on Friday afternoons. This is ideal for ASOC members who wish to finish projects or share art techniques and stories. There will be a number of convenors but please contact Stephen Clively in the first instance.
Please look at the ASOC calendar to check whether an open studio is running. If it’s in the calendar, it’ll be on.
Saturdays
Katie Volter, Arteries of the Earth (detail), acrylic
SATURDAY AFTERNOON ALLSORTS
Saturdays 1.30 – 4.30 p.m.
Convenor: Belinda Gill
gillbe15@gmail.com
0421 049 800
This group welcomes all members of all skill levels. It is aimed at artists who have limited free time and will appreciate the time, space and support from fellow artists to follow their artistic passions. This is a very flexible group, so bring along whatever medium suits you, and work on whatever subject you like.
Sundays
Brigitte Schreiter, Untitled, collage
CREATIVE COLLAGISTS
Open to all ASOC members on a session-by-session basis
Selected Sundays 1.30 – 4.30 p.m.
Convenor: Lisa Beattie
lisabeattie79@gmail.com
We are a group of members meeting occasionally on Sunday afternoons. We explore ideas and practical techniques and share everything related to gluing bits and pieces to other bits and pieces!
Please see the Calendar for the dates of our meetings. Contact the Convenor if you would like to attend any of our sessions.
MONTHLY
Matt James, Autumn (detail), digital art
DIGITAL ART
Open to all ASOC members on a session-by-session basis
Convenor: Judy Hutchinson
hutchinsonj1954@gmail.com
0402 886 520
This group provides a forum for members interested in using digital media to create a diverse range of art. The focus of the workgroup is a collaborative exploration of various digital tools, for example Procreate and other Apps for tablets/phones and PC/Mac tools such as Blender (3D) and Photoshop. At each session members are able to discuss and display their current works, and seek tips, advice and guidance on techniques from other members. Occasionally, members may be invited to prepare a short demonstration of a technique. This group meets on a casual basis, with a fee per session.
Please see the Calendar for the dates of our meetings. Contact the Convenor if you would like to attend any of our sessions.
