VWA artists in residence at Melbourne Design Week
The view from the bench of VWA artist in residence Freddy Mata Mendoza. Image courtesy of the maker
Step inside the studios of the Victorian Woodworkers Association and meet the five current Artists in Residence: Freddy Mata Mendoza, Wanda Gillespie, Emily McRae, Caleb Biffanti, and Margot Feast.
During the Melbourne Design Week 2026, the open-studio exhibition will offer a rare glimpse into contemporary woodworking practice, from early sketches and prototypes to finished works.
Artists in residence, left to right: Wanda Gillespie, Emily McRae, Freddy Mata Mendoza, Caleb Biffanti, Margot Feast
Over three days from the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of May, visitors are invited to explore works in progress, completed pieces, and the varied processes that drive each maker’s practice.
An opening event will be held on Saturday 23rd May 6-8pm at our Wood Design Centre located 5 Tyrone Street, North Melbourne. Register here.
Across furniture, fine joinery, sculpture, and playful experimental forms, the exhibition highlights the handmade, the exchange of ideas, and the creative community shaping the world they want to build, one piece at a time.
Our Artists in Residence represent a dynamic mix of practices across furniture, sculpture, and design. Each artists bring distinct perspectives shaped by backgrounds in architecture, object-making, and craft. Their work moves between the conceptual and the tactile, drawing on personal stories, cultural references, and the natural and built environment.
From interactive and figurative works to refined, functional objects, the residency highlights a shared commitment to material exploration, thoughtful making, and the evolving relationship between art, design, and woodworking.
Meet the artists
Freddy Mata Mendoza @marateka.xyz , Coloured Blocks and Inertes
With an early career in architecture, Freddy Mata Mendoza transitioned into furniture design to pursue a more tactile relationship with form and material. His work is informed by real-life experiences — the sounds of the city, the rhythms of live music, and the textures, patterns, and atmospheres of the natural and built environment.
Wanda Gillespie @wanda.gillespie, Abacus
Wanda Gillespie is a contemporary artist working across sculpture, installation, and public art. Known for her interactive abacus sculptures and carved figurative works, her practice explores history, time, and the mystical. She draws inspiration from ancient artefacts and the mathematical harmonies found in nature.
Emily McRae @lottolottolottolotto, Table 8
With a background in architecture, Emily is a Naarm/Melbourne-based designer and maker who experiments with traditional craft techniques in playful, unexpected ways. Her practice ranges from one-off pieces to small batch production, with an emphasis on considered, timeless outcomes.
Caleb Biffanti @calebbiffanti, Tall Coasters
Caleb is an emerging designer-maker whose work bridges concept and craft. Drawing on personal reference points and cultural memory, he employs quiet, deliberate gestures to make the familiar feel newly perceptible.
Margot Feast @margotfeast, Table Lamp
With a foundation in sculpture, Margot Feast explores space, form, and materiality through furniture and functional objects. Favouring hand tools, her work carries a distinctly tactile quality, inviting connection, curiosity, and imaginative engagement.
The Victorian Woodworkers Association Inc, founded in 1979, is the leading woodcraft guild in Victoria. Its diverse membership includes professional designer/makers and wood artists, serious amateurs, students and industry organisations.
The VWA manages a Wood Design Centre and Workshop housed at the Meat Market Arts Centre, North Melbourne. The Centre provides low cost access to facilities and equipment for emerging designers and wood artists, and for VWA members.
Also within the Meat Market Arts Centre, the Association operates the VWA School of Woodcraft. The school provides short term, open and master classes in in all aspects of fine woodwork.
Learn more at www.vwa.org.au