inspiring innovative printmaking

Baldessin Studio is a place where creativity blossoms. The 1970s bluestone building, designed and built by George Baldessin and set in bushland landscape, is quintessentially Australian. It is peaceful and sufficiently removed from the distractions of everyday life to support the exploration of technique. For over 21 years, this studio has witnessed the development of some of this country’s finest printmakers.

As part of Melbourne Design Week 2025, Baldessin Studio invites you to our open studio weekend on May 24th & 25th in St Andrews. Set in peaceful bushland, our renowned printmaking studio will offer visitors a rare insight into both traditional and contemporary practices including intaglio etching, relief, photogravure, and mokulito (woodless lithography).

Join guided tours, watch live demonstrations, and speak directly with artists to learn more about the techniques, workshops, and residency programs offered at the studio. Alongside these events, two exhibitions will be on display: a curated collection of artist books by studio artists and friends, and a showcase of recent prints reflecting the diversity of work created here.

A special feature of the weekend includes access to the nearby Tillandsia Greenhouse of the late Lloyd Godman, where visitors can explore the workspaces of our current artists-in-residence in a unique setting filled with air plants.

This is a chance to experience the intersection of art, design, and process in a fully equipped, working print studio. Whether you're an artist, designer, collector, or enthusiast, we welcome you to visit and engage with the rich creative community at Baldessin Studio.

Melbourne Design Week is Australia’s largest and leading annual design festival and takes place from 15–25 May 2025. 

Melbourne Design Week is a vital platform for emerging and established creative practitioners, offering the Australian design community and audiences the opportunity to engage with a diverse program of talks, tours, exhibitions, installations, and workshops.

Melbourne Design Week is an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. 

The full program and more information can be found here: designweek.melbourne

#MelbourneDesignWeek #NGV @NGVMelbourne

Whats’s on:
The Studio will be open to visitors from 10am – 5pm on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th May, 2025.

Saturday 24 May

🕙 Studio Tours 11am & 2pm – Explore our print workshop, artist facilities, and bushland artist accommodation.

🕙 Intaglio Etching Demo 12pm – Learn the art of line, texture, and tone through traditional etching.

🕙 Photopolymer Photogravure Demo 3pm – Discover how photography meets printmaking in this tonal technique.

🕙 Opening Celebration 4pm – Join us to celebrate this exhibition of works in progress from artists Stephanie Mortlock and Nicole Bowller as they respond to the tillandsia greenhouse of the late Lloyd Godman, a work of art in itself. 

Sunday 25 May

🕙 Studio Tour 11am & 2pm – Explore our print workshop, artist facilities, and bushland artist accommodation.

🕙 Relief Printing Demo 12pm – See linocut and woodcut techniques come to life in bold prints.

🕙 Mokulito Demo 3pm – Experience this expressive wood-based lithography method.

Supporting artists

A retreat from the city with world class printmaking facilities and expert teachers, the Baldessin Studio is a not for profit organisation which attracts a host of talented artists. Beginners can work alongside them and expect technical expertise, guidance and inspiration.
View artist gallery

freedom for creativity

Artists and students may choose to enrol for serious instruction in a variety of traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques. There, they can draw on the experience of master printmakers who encourage experimentation and a willingness to push creative boundaries whilst mastering and respecting the traditions of the craft.