We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Michael Sollis this week. Our past President Penny Jurkiewicz who knew Michael has written a few words in his memory:
Michael Sollis was one of a kind.
He was the 2021 CAPO Fellow, where he further developed his Southern Sky project, bringing together artists to respond to the question, “What do the stars mean to you?” His work reflected a deep curiosity and a strong commitment to collaboration across artforms and communities.
He was a consummate musician, responsible for founding and developing the Griffyn Ensemble, which comprised, among others, Susan Ellis who was a previous CAPO Board member and as the founder and president of the Canberra Mandolin Orchestra.
When diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 35, he didn’t let this stop him. He was heavily involved with Musica Viva Australia, as Artistic Director of Education from 2016 to 2022, and for the last 2 years was co-Artistic Director of the National Folk Festival.
He even branched into a form of sculpture with one of his pieces commissioned by the University of Canberra and at the time of his passing, had just finished a mammoth project for a ‘creative bush walk’ in Ginninderra.
We extend our sympathy and respect to his wife Kiri and their two young sons, Bryn and Lyle.
Image 1: Portrait by Keith Saunders.
Image 2: Karen Quinlan AM presenting Michael with his CAPO Fellowship award in 2021. Photo: Hilary Wardhaugh.
As we close out the year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us.
Your generosity and enthusiasm made this year’s grants round and art auction a success.
We can't wait to do it all again next year! For now, we leave you with this quick recap of our auction event from October 🥳 🥂
Congratulations to our finalists and winner of the CAPO-CIT Award!
🏅 Finalist: Heather Hodgson (Photography)
🏅 Finalist: Rosalie Ryan (Visual Arts)
🏆 Winner: Eliott June O’Dowd (Visual Arts)
The finalists and winner were presented with their certificates at the @cit.visualart exhibition held at @anca_inc on Thursday night.
As part of the grant, the winner will receive a mentorship opportunity, supporting the next stage of their creative practice and $1000 to go towards the staging of their own exhibition 🎨✨
Well done to all involved.
@eliott.june.art@rosalie.ryan.art@heatherlhodgson
Oh what a night! 🎨🥂 Snaps from our Art Auction event last Saturday.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, purchased a ticket, and placed a bid. Your support directly fuels our mission to uplift the local arts community.
Huge thanks to the incredible artists who donated their work, and to our generous sponsors for making it all possible.
And lastly, a special shoutout to our amazing performers and hosts on the night: @genevievemjacobs , @the_venus_mantrap , @kokolocodancestudio , The Two Step Trio and @natasharuschka_art , you brought the energy and colour 🔥
Missed the event? The exhibition is on display until 30 November at @belcoarts and there's still a few artworks available to purchase!
Photos: @art_atelier_photo
On Saturday night we announced the recipients of the 2025 CAPO Awards ✨
The prestigious Fellowship was awarded to @lucy.e.irvine , a Canberra-based artist, educator, and researcher whose interdisciplinary practice weaves together sculpture, textiles, design, and architecture.
Presented by Patron Genevieve Jacobs, the Fellowship will support Lucy's international residency at Art Quarter Budapest, a UNESCO Creative City of Design. There, she’ll develop experimental weaving systems and sculptural forms in response to Budapest’s architecture, infrastructure, and layered history.
She’ll then bring this new body of work back home for @craftdesigncanberrafestival 2026, where her installation will open a visual and conceptual dialogue between Budapest and Canberra.
Congratulations, Lucy!
Want to see the rest of the 2025 award winners and their incredible projects? We'll be posting highlights on our stories over the next day or visit our website now!
Images:
Event photos by @art_atelier_photo
Roguetopia: Clem Cummings bus stop 2021. Photo Davey Barber
Surface Strategies 2017. Temporary installation for Design Canberra. Photo Brenton McGeachie.
Made of Holes 2016. Belconnen Arts Centre, 2018. Photo Brenton McGeachie
Bidding is now open! 💫
Preview the 100+ artworks in our auction and start bidding early ahead of Saturday evenings event.
This year we bring you the best of both worlds, an in-person event + online bidding. The vibe’s live, the bids are digital. Don’t miss it 🥂
Tickets are selling fast, if you want to experience the buzz in person, secure yours now.
Sat 18 Oct, 6:45-10pm at @belcoarts
Links in bio.
Tomorrow night! Join us for an evening of art, connection, and bidding, all in support of Canberra’s creative community.
Be dazzled by Venus Mantrap. Feel the rhythm through the room with Kokoloco Dance, drift into the soulful sounds of the Two Step Trio and watch a masterpiece come to life as Natasha Rushka creates a live painting over the course of the night.
Saturday 18 October, from 6:45pm
Belconnen Arts Centre, $65
Only a few tickets left! Link in bio.
Alternatively, all artworks are available to bid online!
Artworks:
@whatisadaniel
Jorg Schmeisser
@pennyaboyer@julie.bradley.art@byrdeined@robynveneersweeney
Our annual art auction fundraiser is next weekend! ✨
100+ artworks are up for grabs, all in support of CAPO’s grants. Your ticket includes fine wines from Lark Hill, bites by The Lazy Grazer, and live entertainment featuring:
Venus Mantrap – cabaret star & auctioneer
Kokoloco Dance – bold rhythm and colour
The Two Step Trio – old-time string band vibes
Natasha Rushka – live painting in action
📅 Sat 18 Oct | From 6.45pm at Belco Arts Centre
🎟️ Tickets $65 | Limited spots
And if you can’t join us in person, sign up to bid online and take part from anywhere. Bidding opens Wednesday 🖤
Here’s just a little preview of what’s on the auction block.
@sari.sutton@ampersandduck@becselleck@sophieconstableart@franromanoceramics@alexasch65
Mark your calendars! There's just over a month until the annual CAPO art auction fundraiser.
📅 Sat 18 Oct, from 6:45pm
📍 Belco Arts
🎟️ $65 – includes entry, food, drinks + entertainment (@the_venus_mantrap , @kokolocodancestudio and The Two Step Trio 💃)
We think that's a bargain! Show the love by supporting the local arts community and party like it's 1999 🎶
Secure your ticket now. Can't make it in person? Sign up to bid online. Links in bio.
Images:
@zbrandbrand , Nothing Special. Photo @art_atelier_photo
Kevin Bradley, Cigar Box Guitar. Photo @art_atelier_photo@kate_stevens_artist , Edge of Town N05
@richilde.flavell , Untitled. Photo @art_atelier_photo
#art #artauction #cbrarts #canberraart #capo #canberra #canberraevents #canberralife
A Night of Living Art 🎭 Support the arts and experience a one-of-a-kind evening.
🖼️ 90+ artists, 100+ artworks to bid on
💃Performances by the sensational Venus Mantrap, Kokoloco Dance and The Two Step Trio
🖌️ Live painting by Natasha Rushka
This year, things are a little different...We're gathering in person, but bidding goes digital📱Can't make it? You can still join the auction and support our mission from anywhere!
Sat 18 Oct @belcoarts from 6.45pm. Buy tickets or register to bid, links in bio.
Images:
@dorteconroy donated artwork
@natasharuschka_art@lesleyandersenart donated artwork
@kokolocodancestudio@markmohell donated artwork
#art #artauction #cbrarts #canberraart #capo #canberra #canberraevents #canberralife
Tickets now on sale 🎟️🥂 A Night of Living Art: Annual Art Auction Fundraiser.
Join us for a night of art, entertainment, and creative celebration, all in support of Canberra’s arts community.
✨ Expect dazzling performances from Venus Mantrap, Kokoloco Dance & The Two Step Trio
🎨 Watch artist Natasha Rushka unfold a painting before your eyes over the course of the night
🖼️ View the exhibition in person
📱 And for the first time…the bidding goes digital! 100+ works, 90+ artists.
Saturday 18 October, from 6:45pm
Belconnen Arts Centre, $65
Grab your ticket now. Link in bio.
Images:
@stillrickspeedy donated artwork
@the_venus_mantrap photo by @saltyjugs@robertboynes donated artwork
@kokolocodancestudio@shevisits donated artwork
2019 Art Auction photo by @hilarywardhaugh
Thanks to our event sponsor @allhomes.com.au
#art #artauction #cbrarts #canberraart #capo #canberra #canberraevents #canberralife
@madisynzabel works at the intersection of sculpture, design, and glass. With support from CAPO, Madisyn used her 2024 Radford & Co Sculpture Award to develop a new body of work, which she exhibited earlier this year at @woollahragallery
Now it’s your turn. Our grant round closes in just under 2 weeks. 24 grants are available which in include both direct funding or in-kind support.
🗓 Applications close 24 September 🔗 Learn more and apply via our website 📺 Watch the full video on YouTube, link in bio
🎥 Video by @art_atelier_photo
📸 Cover image by @pew.pew.studio
#CAPO #ArtGrants #SupportLocalArtists #ACTArtists #Canberra #CreativeOpportunities
