Experience the beauty and the brilliance of Italian Renaissance Alive, an immersive digital exhibition celebrating Europe’s cultural rebirth.
Fully immerse yourself in the era’s explosion of art and culture and join us for our extensive public programs.
Whether you’re a practising artist, history buff or just love discovering something new, there’s something here for everyone!
#Masterclasses
We’ve curated a series of exclusive Oil Painting Masterclasses facilitated by prominent artists. Enjoy a day of skilled yet informal instruction, hands-on learning and fun artmaking in a relaxed setting. All painting materials and a light lunch will be provided, all abilities are welcome.
Italian Renaissance Alive | Oil Painting Masterclass with Joel Rea
Sat 25 May
Join internationally renowned Gold Coast artist Joel Rea for an introduction to realism painting techniques. Using a reference of Renaissance oil painting imagery depicting flesh and drapery, you’ll be guided through how to execute realistic oil painting.
Italian Renaissance Alive | Oil Painting Masterclass with René Bolten
Sat 1 Jun
Dutch-Australian artist René Bolten will guide you through a workshop exploring still life and the loaded object. Bring along an object that has special meaning to you, and paint two representations of the object as a diptych.
Italian Renaissance Alive | Oil Painting Masterclass with Anne Smerdon
Sat 15 Jun
In this session, award-winning local artist and founder of Artory art school Anne Smerdon will guide participants through the creation of a still life artwork, harnessing Renaissance techniques to create dramatic realism.
Italian Renaissance Alive | Oil Painting Masterclass with Michael Zavros
Sat 29 Jun
Internationally renowned artist and former Gold Coast local, Michael Zavros, will lead the class in exploring traditional old master drawing and painting techniques.
#Workshops
Sunroom | Fabulous Flying Machines
Wed 1 May
In our May session, we’ll be looking to Leonardo Da Vinci. In this workshop we'll be designing, building and refining our own inventive sculptural flying machines and putting them to the test!
Drawing for Life
Thu 23 May, Thu 27 Jun
In our April-May editions of Drawing for Life, Queensland artist Deb Mostert will focus on foundational drawing techniques and using some classic drawing materials.
Little ArtLab | Secret Spirals
Fri 3 May
In this Little ArtLab we’ll be creating secret paintings using invisible ink (made with non-toxic materials). Just like Leonardo we will be looking at the natural world around us to draw snails, shells, feathers and animals.
ArtLab | Memento Mori: Life and Sketch!
Sat 11 May
In this ArtLab we will be using ink, nibs and brushes to bring to life the world around us. All materials required for this workshop will be provided along with still life items to draw from.
#Talks & Ideas
Book in now for our three-part series of Expert Lectures to gain a richer understanding of the Renaissance cultural landscape. Each session will be delivered by an academic specialist in their field of Art History, Astronomy, or History, in relation to Renaissance events or themes. Join us for this incredible opportunity to hear firsthand from the experts in our region.
Dr Benjamin Pope | Astronomy in the Renaissance and the Birth of Modern Science
Sun 12 May
Astronomy during the Renaissance was poised on the brink of transformation - from a classical cosmos centred on the Earth, to Copernicus' understanding first that the Sun was the centre of the solar system, and more. Astrophysicist Dr Benjamin Pope will lead us through this tumultuous period in history.
Dr Andrea Bubenik | From Plants to Planets: Art and Science in the Renaissance
Sun 19 May
From studying a simple blade of grass, to depicting the craters of the moon, the artists and scientists of the Renaissance were deeply invested in exploring the worlds around them, near and far. In this talk, leading Art Historian Dr Andrea Bubenik will explore how art and science were interconnected in the Renaissance and enabled new ways of seeing and thinking.
Dr Gary Ianziti | How did the Renaissance Happen?
Sun 26 May
In our final lecture, Italian Renaissance humanism specialist Dr Gary Ianziti will present the Renaissance as a dynamic cultural movement and describe some of the intellectual, political and social forces that shaped it.
Curator Talks
Sat 13 - Sat 27 Jul
Curator talks with a difference - join us for a trio of light-hearted and contemporary takes on Renaissance-focused themes.
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