Carriageworks

Carriageworks is a contemporary arts centre in Eveleigh, near Redfern, set inside the former Eveleigh Railway Workshops. The 19th-century brick and ironwork frames a changing program of exhibitions, performances, festivals, talks and film screenings. Inside, you might find large-scale installations, sculpture, video or photorealistic works; the format changes with each program. On Saturdays, a farmers’ market fills the yard outside with produce, bread, coffee, flowers and prepared food. Check the schedule before you go, since exhibitions and events vary.

From railway workshops to arts centre

Carriageworks occupies the former Eveleigh Railway Workshops, a large industrial site built in the 1880s. The workshops once handled railway carriages and blacksmithing work. Their brick walls, ironwork and expansive interiors remain part of the site’s character.

The workshops closed at the end of the 1980s as steam trains declined. The site reopened as Carriageworks in 2007, with a new role as a centre for contemporary arts and culture. Its industrial spaces now host exhibitions and events rather than railway repairs.

Art across the former workshops

The program changes, so the work on view depends on the dates of your visit. Exhibitions have included sculpture, LED installations, large-scale works, wood reliefs and photorealistic paintings. Some shows bring together artists working in very different styles and materials, while others make use of the size of the former workshop bays.

The venue also hosts performances, festivals, talks, workshops and film screenings. Dance and experimental theatre sit alongside visual art, and concerts make use of the cavernous halls. Check the current program to see what is scheduled; a visit focused on a particular show or performance needs a little planning.