Abbotsford Convent

22/06/2026

𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 ⚡️

Across two evenings, 𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 bring together artists working at the edges of sound, performance, film and installation. From immersive sonic environments to live experimental works, each session activates the heritage architecture in unexpected ways.

Foregrounding listening, perception and immersive practice, 𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 is about discovery and encounter—an invitation to drift, explore and engage deeply with sound and space as they unfold across the evening.

𝘍𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨:

Akio Suzuki & Hiromi Miyakita (J*P)
Maria Moles & Chloë Sobek (AUS)
Amby Downs (Yuwalaraay/Gamilaraay)
Ai Yamamoto (J*P/AUS)

The Sky After Rain | Blame the Shadows (IRN)
Ecological Adaptation | Yandell Walton (AUS)

Plus, settle into winter with the Laundry Bar for an intimate night of music and discovery after dark.

𝟭𝟬 & 𝟭𝟭 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆
𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝘆

🔗 Discover more and book: https://bit.ly/4eW4LXZ

Laundry Sessions is presented by Abbotsford Convent as part of WinterLive.
Supported by Room40.

Image: The Sky After Rain by Pippa Samaya.

Across two evenings, Laundry Sessions bring together artists working at the edges of sound, performance, film and installation. From immersive sonic environments to live experimental works, each session activating the heritage architecture in unexpected ways.

18/06/2026

The Convent is more than a beautiful space.

It's a representation of thousands of women and girls that have lived within its walls, of students and teachers that have learnt and discovered here, of tenacious community campaigners, and now, of hundreds of artists, creatives and performers that share their work with the world.

It's a space for families, friends and audiences to come together, an opportunity for lifelong education and learning, a site for respite and reinvigoration, and so much more.

But places like ours don’t sustain themselves. They exist because people choose that they should.

With no recurrent government funding, safeguarding the Convent as an open and accessible place for everyone depends on community support.

This Giving Day, be part of something loved by many.
Be part of something made by many.

Be part of something Convent: https://bit.ly/45CHeY4

17/06/2026

Today is Giving Day, and if the Convent has ever been part of your story, we’re asking you to be part of ours.

The Convent is loved, made, shared, grown and sustained by many. By the artists, tenants, volunteers, gardeners, visitors, families, supporters and people like you who bring this place to life.

Your donation today helps keep the Convent open, creative and accessible for everyone.
If this place has ever meant something to you, please consider giving now.

Donate today via the link below. Every contribution helps.
https://bit.ly/45CHeY4

17/06/2026

The Convent has always been made by many.

By the artists, makers, tenants, volunteers, gardeners, visitors, families and supporters who continue to bring it to life.

Places like this stay open, creative and accessible because people choose to keep them that way. If you have ever gathered here, created here, celebrated here, wandered here, learned here or found a moment of quiet here, we hope you’ll consider donating today.

If the Convent has ever been part of your story, this is the moment to be part of ours.

🔗 Be part of something today: https://bit.ly/45CHeY4

12/06/2026

Be part of something grown by many.

By the people who make, bake, grow, gather, sell, shop, stop for a chat, and return month after month.

The Regional Farmers Market is one of the many ways the Convent comes to life. Through the community who bring energy, care and connection to this place.

It's also a reminder that places like this don't sustain themselves. They remain open, creative and welcoming because people continue to support them in ways big and small.

If the Convent has ever been part of your story, we'd love you to be part of its future too.

Be part of something lasting.

🔗 Be part of something Convent: https://bit.ly/45CHeY4

12/06/2026

This month, we're thrilled to welcome Richard Lewer to the Convent for a three month artist residency in the historic Packing Room.

Richard is a painter, draughtsman, printmaker, sculptor and video artist whose work offers an unflinching exploration of the human condition.

In a remarkable coincidence, shortly after confirming the residency, Richard won the 2026 Archibald Prize for his portrait of Pitjantjatjara Elder, senior artist and ngangkari (traditional healer) Iluwanti Ken.

“I’m excited to be the next Abbotsford Convent Artist-in-Residence,” Richard says. “It will be really nice to make work there. I can’t wait to get to know the creative community.”

Richard’s residency has been made possible through the generous support of arts philanthropists Michael Schwarz and David Clouston. 🌟

🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/43rpahg

10/06/2026

For author, filmmaker and Speakola founder Tony Wilson, the Convent has become a creative home woven into his working life, having occupied a studio in the old Convent Building since 2008. Over the years, the precinct has become the backdrop to a string of milestones - book launches, exhibitions and collaborations.

“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.”

Support through our annual giving appeal helps maintain affordable spaces for the 120+ artists, writers and makers working out of this beautiful space, and ensures future generations can continue to create, connect and find inspiration here.

Be part of something 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 by many.
Be part of something 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 by many.

🔗 Be part of something Convent: https://bit.ly/45CHeY4

07/06/2026

As part of this year's WinterLIVE program, Los Angeles-based interdisciplinary vocalist, composer, vocal embodiment coach and sound meditation practitioner Odeya Nini presents 𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗵.

Her work reclaims the voice as an instrument, extending the resonance of vocal expression and magnifying the voice's capacity to touch all it encounters in tender, heartbreaking and ecstatic ways.

Join us for Winter Solstice weekend, surrender to vibration and deeply feel.

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
𝗢𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

🔗 Discover more: https://bit.ly/4uQgjS5

Image by Elena Mann.

05/06/2026

"𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘣𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵."

Across 16 acres of heritage buildings and grounds, the Convent has become somewhere hundreds come every day to make, gather, learn, connect, and belong.

Places like this exist because people choose that they should.
This year, that choice matters more than ever.

With no recurrent government funding and rising costs across our layered historic site, safeguarding the Convent as an open and accessible place for everyone depends on community support.

Be part of something made by many.

Be part of something Convent.

https://bit.ly/45CHeY4

03/06/2026

Desk space available | Design by Nature 🍃

Two desk spaces are available in this stunning light-filled Mercator Building studio.

Warm, plant-filled and full of creative energy, the studio has high ceilings, timber floors, large windows overlooking gum trees, shared lounge and meeting areas, a kitchenette, wi-fi, storage options and regular cleaning.

Set beside the Birrarung/Yarra River and Collingwood Children’s Farm, and close to eateries, bike paths and easy parking, it’s an inspiring, peaceful base for creatives who value purpose, beauty and connection to nature.

To enquire, please reach out to [email protected]

Images courtesy of Design by Nature.