2026 WORKSHOPS
This year Open Studios Sunshine Coast is offering you the chance to immerse yourself in, workshops / exhibitions / demonstrations to learn from, and create with local artists.
The workshops will be taking place in the days between our two Open Studios weekends, check out the listings below for more details.
Date: Friday 17 July
Time: 10:30am - 1:30pm
Cost: $100
Artist: Sharon Hegarty
Location: 13 Oscar Court, Buderim
Join Sharon for a relaxed and creative watercolour workshop exploring loose florals. In this fun, small-group session you’ll learn a range of techniques including layering, colour blending, brushwork and creating expressive floral shapes without focusing on perfection. Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to loosen up their style, this workshop is designed to build confidence and give you skills and inspiration to continue painting at home. Expect plenty of colour, creativity and a lovely informal atmosphere.
What is included
All materials supplied — just bring yourself and enjoy a few hours of painting and play.
Date: Monday 20 to Friday 24 July
Time: By appointment - 2 to 3 hours
Cost: $250
Artist: Wolfgang Engel
Location: 4/39 Gaden Road, Montville
Blowing Glass on a torch and forming simple shapes with solid and blown glass.
One tutor and one to two students working on a torch under guided instructions the full time of the workshop.
All products of the workshop can be taken home by the student.
It's a very interesting and fun filled time for all involved.
What is included
All tools and materials are provided.
Date: Tuesday 21 July
Time: 10am - 12pm
Cost: $150
Artist: Sarah Sculley
Location: 27 Raylee Avenue, Nambour
Join street artist and muralist Sarah Sculley for a fun, hands-on introduction to stencil art. In this two-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to design and cut stencils and use spray paint to create a vibrant 300 × 300 mm canvas artwork to take home. Sarah will guide you through colour selection, layering techniques and spray paint blending to build a bold abstract background, before showing you how to apply your own stencil design. This beginner-friendly workshop is perfect for anyone wanting to explore street art in a relaxed, creative studio environment.
What is included
All materials and tools are provided, including spray paint, stencil materials, gloves and masks. You’ll create and take home a 300 × 300 mm canvas artwork, plus stencil templates and practical skills to continue experimenting with stencil art and spray paint at home.
Date: Tuesday 21 July
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Cost: $95 + booking fee
Artist: Alex Manton from Asia Images Gallery
Location: 2/942 David Low Way, Marcoola
They say, "The best camera is the one you have with you." Well, no camera in history has been by our side as often as smartphones. And while they were shunned by professionals (me included!) when they first came out as not being "real cameras", they have certainly evolved. The one thing that still prevents it from being a full-featured camera is that it is "auto everything". This two-hour workshop dives into how to see light and how to free your smartphone to be a much more powerful creative tool.
What is included
This workshop requires you to bring three things:
1. Your Smartphone.
2. A free app called "Leica LUX".
3. Your enthusiasm to learn and have fun.
Please download the app before you come and try to get familiar with it. Take a look at http://www.motionpictures.asia before you come.
Date: Wednesday 22 July
Time: 12pm-2:30pm & 4pm-6:30pm
Cost: $35
Artist: Cassie Gibbs (Kenilworth Arts Council)
Location: 2184 Eumundi Kenilworth Rd, Gheerulla
Perfect for beginners, this workshop will help you build confidence with the foundations of drawing. Learn how to improve your line quality through simple sketching drills designed to strengthen control and fluidity. Using the humble graphite pencil, you’ll explore how to create value through light, shadow, and tonal shading, bringing depth and form to your drawings. With guided exercises and easy-to-follow techniques, you’ll develop essential skills to sketch with more confidence, accuracy, and expression. A wonderful starting point for anyone wanting to strengthen their drawing practice.
What is included
Various technique sheets, one on one instruction, live demos, a huge amount of art materials to choose from at Cassie Gibbs art school, high quality 200gsm drawing paper and an array of graphite pencils.
Date: Thursday 23rd July
Time: 9am-3:30pm
Cost: $195
Artist: Lara Cooper
Location: 125 Gardners Lane, North Maleny
A meandering art experience through a nature connection lens. Learn to notice and respond in conversation with nature, through art. Join Lara for a soul-paced painting day in the garden. Rain, hail or shine, we will embrace the weather and wander to find a pocket, a piece, a place to focus our painting efforts around and make a response to that which captures our attention. Through a nature connection lens we will firstly learn to observe and listen before responding in paint or pencil ... taking time to slow down and be in relationship with our subject.
What is included
The participants will need to bring all their own artist materials and equipment suitable for plein air painting/drawing in whichever medium they prefer, including a camping stool or chair. Participants need to bring a packed lunch. A fridge is available. Morning Tea is provided by the host.
Date: Thursday 23 July
Time: 10am - 12pm
Cost: $40
Artist: Sarah Sculley
Location: 27 Raylee Avenue, Nambour
Join street artist and creative business owner Sarah Sculley for a practical introduction to building a successful art business. In this two-hour workshop, you’ll explore key topics including creating your ideal work days, setting a clear vision for the next 3–5 years, understanding your target market, pricing your work and developing effective marketing strategies. You’ll also learn about diversifying income, basic finances and building a strong support network. This workshop is ideal for emerging creatives who want dedicated time, inspiration and guidance to create a clear plan and grow a sustainable, profitable creative practice.
What is included
Printed worksheets, pens and guided exercises to help you map out your creative business goals. You’ll leave with practical notes, a personalised action plan for your art business and fresh ideas to support your growth, confidence and future direction.
Date: Thursday 23 July
Time: 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Cost: $195 + booking fee
Artist: Alex Manton from Asia Images Gallery
Location: 2/942 David Low Way, Marcoola
This intermediate workshop is for photographers who want to understand light better and want to capture it better with their cameras. We will focus on portraits and we will go through some of the fundamentals of daylight and artificial light and see how they play on subjects' faces. We will then dive into the tools that photographers have at their disposal to manipulate that light for better photos. This workshop is for people who have some experience with their own DSLR and know how to use it in manual mode.
What is included
I will illustrate some lighting fundamentals using my own cameras. You need to bring your camera and lenses and know how to use them. I will provide several kinds of artificial light and light modifiers. The workshop will be at my gallery and on the beach nearby, weather permitting.
Date: Saturday 25 July
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Cost: $125
Artist: Janine Delgos from Art Workshops Studio
Location: 184 Main Street, Montville
Neriage is a decorative technique in pottery where patterned clay made from mixing and layering different colored or shaded clays is used to form pottery through shaping and firing. The term neriage is derived from the Japanese words "ne-ru" meaning "to knead" and "a-geru" meaning "to raise up" and is pronounced as "Ne-Ri-Ah-Gey". (sounds similar to the Japanese food karaage.)
Neriage is typically used for forming pottery on a potters wheel. You will be amazed at the stunning wheel thrown pieces achieved with these beautiful techniques. Create swirls and patterns to enhance your 3 pieces you will throw.
What is included
- Create swirls and patterns to enhance your 3 pieces you will throw as well as one Nerikomi hand made bowl. This workshop will take your wheel throwing to another level to inspire you on your journey into ceramics.
- Beginners on the Pottery Wheel Workshop an advantage but not essential
- Bisque
Date: Saturday 25 + Sunday 26 July
Time: 11am-12:30pm + 1:30pm-3pm
Cost: $20
Artist: Cassie Gibbs (Kenilworth Arts Council)
Location: 2184 Eumundi Kenilworth Rd, Gheerulla
In collaboration with the Open Studios Sunshine Coast and Kenilworth Arts Council, join Cassie to explore the magic of watercolour through simple, flowing techniques. Using gravity, lifting, wet-on-wet, and layering, you’ll create a loose landscape full of movement and impact.
• All materials provided
• Tea & coffee, toilets, wheelchair access and ample parking available
• Take home your artwork, technique sheets, and new skills
What is included
Everything you need is supplied
- watercolour paints
- variety of high quality watercolour brushes
- 100% cotton, 360gsm paper
- tools—so you can relax and focus on exploring flowing, expressive landscape techniques.