Abbotsford Convent Open Day

Overview

The Abbotsford Convent Open Day is not a day when nuns sign up for a life of service, but a day when you get to play peekaboo at one of Melbourne’s hard-fought-for spaces.

The history of Abbotsford Convent will have struggling community organisations salivating across the country. The story goes like this. One day, some really short-sighted people wanted to turn the historic, swoon-worthy site into high-density housing and a mini golf course. Smelly idea. A small group of locals saw the tragedy and thought of a fresher idea. Now the Convent is a thriving community, cultural and arts precinct. It has sexy artist studios and galleries, performance spaces, a community radio station, as well as a bakery, bars, restaurants and an outdoor cinema. And the natural gardens and heritage buildings have been saved (hurrah!)

This Sunday, you can see everything in action — free workshops (drumming, dancing, cooking, learning French), exhibitions, performances, kids activities, food, The Sophia Mundi Steiner School Fair and much more. It’s time to celebrate the un-convent-ional.

Image by eythian.