NGV Teens: Art Party

The NGV Teens Art Party, inspired by the vibrant and immersive Yayoi Kusama exhibition, is set to take place on Saturday, 1 March 2025, from 6–9 pm at NGV International, St Kilda Road.

This exciting event invites high school-aged young people to experience Kusama’s world of pumpkins, petals, and polka dots in an exclusive after-hours setting. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the exhibition, meet new people, and enjoy a night full of creativity, music, and interactive art-making activities.

What’s happening:

• Friendship Speed Dating: Hosted by Savanah Anand-Sabti from the Melbourne creative collective Ladies of Leisure, this fun and engaging activity is designed to help teens socialise, expand their friendship circles, and bond over their shared love of art, design, and culture. Through guided conversations, teens can discuss their interests and explore ideas about art in a relaxed and friendly environment.
• Pop-Up Talks by University of Melbourne Arts Students: Dive deeper into the world of art with pop-up talks led by University of Melbourne Arts students. They’ll share their insights into Yayoi Kusama’s work and discuss their own experiences in studying and working in the arts. This is a unique chance for teens to gain inspiration, learn about creative career pathways, and ask questions about further study opportunities in the creative industries.
• Zine-Making Workshop with Suyeon Park: Melbourne-based graphic designer and illustrator Suyeon Park will lead an interactive zine-making session where teens can create their own mini art books, inspired by Kusama’s immersive environments. Suyeon’s work explores themes like cultural identity and childhood memories, and participants will have the chance to illustrate their own pages and build imaginative worlds in this hands-on workshop.
• Floral Face Painting: Drawing inspiration from Kusama’s childhood spent on her family’s seed and plant farm, face-painting artists will be on hand to offer floral-themed designs, allowing teens to embody the immersive beauty of Kusama’s art in a fun and personal way.
• Dance Party with DJ Claire Knight: The Great Hall will be transformed into a vibrant dance floor with Melbourne-based DJ Claire Knight. Known for her signature mix of genre-bending dance music, bold vocal hooks, and crowd-favourite anthems, Claire will keep the party going all night, making it a night full of movement, fun, and unforgettable energy.

Image credits: 1. DJ Claire Knight performing at NGV, Teens Art Party. Photo: Eugene Hyland. 2 & 3. NGV Teens Art Party 2024. Photo: Eugene Hyland.