Uncovered
Showcasing artistic talent on a new stage at the Sydney Opera House.
Now in its fourth year, Uncovered is a platform for local artists, makers, creatives and artisans to showcase their artistic excellence through the support of our Uncovered program.
It’s an opportunity for Australian-designed products to headline a residency in the Sydney Opera House’s on-site and online retail shop, and for the creatives to join the growing Uncovered community of alumni participants.
Sign up to stay up to date with the program and be the first to know about future opportunities.
Shop Uncovered 2023 artists
Leaf Candle Co.
Leaf Candle Co is a hand poured, small batch candle company located in Naarm / Melbourne. Founded by Tracy Keating, Leaf Candle Co is focused on being eco-friendly and sustainable, using natural or recycled, local ingredients and materials where possible. Made from soy wax and hand-poured in small batches, the candles are upcycled from tins which can then be refilled, repurposed or recycled when the candle has flickered its last flame.
SpudNic Designs
Based in Sydney, SpudNic Designs celebrates the vibrant beauty of Australia’s native flora. Artist, designer and maker, Nicola Nossal, blends and layers different colours of polymer clay to hand craft intricately detailed, beautiful and functional pieces that capture the enchanting beauty of Australia's unique wildflowers. These individually hand detailed works of art are made to be worn and treasured for years to come.
The Wonderful Little Suitcase Company
Angela and Martin from the Wonderful Little Suitcase Company in Sydney develop engaging, natural toys that spark the imagination. These fun and engaging suitcases and play mats are educational, portable and ethically made, providing plenty of opportunity for little ones to play. Angela uses her extensive experience in working with children with developmental delays to produce toys that are an alternative to digital devices so children can develop their full potential in their crucial first four years and to better prepare them for the digital age.
Visit the Sydney Opera House Shop online to explore products from all our Uncovered artists.
Meet our Uncovered artists
Uncovered: Leaf Candle Co.
At Leaf Candle Co., we make amazing smelling soy candles using recycled tin cans. We are focused on being eco-friendly and sustainable, using natural or recycled materials where we can.
Uncovered: Mwerre Soap & Skin
Liz Liddle is the founder of Mwerre - Soap and Skin, a First Nations female-owned small business that manufactures artisan soaps based in Creswick, Victoria. Meaning ‘good’ or ‘beautiful’ in Arrernte, a First Nations language group in Central Australia, Mwerre (pronounced Mwah-rah) uses native ingredients to produce handmade soaps with Indigenous clay minerals and botanicals that protect and care for the skin.
Uncovered: Elph Ceramics
Founded by sisters Eloise and Sophie Rankine, Elph Ceramics is a ceramic homewares business that combines artistic sensibility with minimalist design. Locally handcrafted and sustainably made in the Southern Highlands in New South Wales, Elph Ceramics pieces are designed for everyday use - to be cherished and kept forever.
Uncovered: Yinarr Maramali
Amy Hammond and Lorrelle Munro are the co-founders of Yinarr Maramali, a Gomeroi women’s business based on Country in Tamworth NSW. Meaning “made by Gomeroi women’s hands”, Yinarr Maramali use natural materials collected by hand from Country to make a range of hand-woven baskets, coolamons and dilly bags.
Uncovered: Richard Greenacre
With his range of porcelain ceramics, Richard Greenacre is the latest Uncovered alumni in the Homewares and Gifts category. An industrial designer by day and ceramicist by night, Richard experiments with different materials and software to see how he can bring a new take to ceramic craft.
Uncovered: popaboutdesign
With her range of original prints, Jane from popaboutdesign submitted her work to the Prints, Photography and Art category. A Sydney local who’s trained as an architect, Jane exhibits a remarkable level of detail in her prints, with each of the pools and the Opera House sails all drawn to scale and designed to complement each other.
Uncovered: Milly Dent
Sydney-based ceramicist Milly Dent has been selected for Uncovered retail program. We spoke to Milly about her work, where she finds inspiration and her Sydney Opera House Shop collection.
Uncovered: SoulSilk
Queensland-based artist Simin Contractor of SoulSilk has been selected for Uncovered’s Clothing and Accessories category. We spoke to Simin about her Sydney Opera House Shop collection which features three hand-painted silk scarves inspired by Australian botanicals.
Uncovered: Eggpicnic
We spoke with Sydney-based designers Camila De Gregorio and Christopher Macaluso of Eggpicnic who have been selected for Uncovered’s Prints, Photography & Art category.
Program information
About the program
Uncovered is all about discovering new local makers, designers, artisans and creatives. We recommend prior to completing your submission you read through the Sydney Opera House’s values, and consider how your product(s) align to our values and connect to the following criteria: creativity, innovation, and suitability for the Sydney Opera House Shop. Extra consideration will be given to sustainable and First Nations products.
Product submissions are being invited across three categories:
For the Young and the Young at Heart
Products that bring fun, laughter and learning to all ages. These could be toys, books, puzzles or games but we’re excited to see your creative ideas.
For the Home
Products that make a house a home. These could be prints, ceramics, toiletries, furnishings or ornaments but we’re excited to see your creative ideas.
For the Look
Products that enhance, embellish or embolden your look. These could be bags, jewellery, accessories, scarves or hats but we’re excited to see your creative ideas.
Sydney Opera House values
Creativity
Be bold and innovative
Excellence
Strive for the best
Collaboration
One team
Accountability
Focus and own it
Safety
Our greatest responsibility
Criteria and submissions
Applications for Uncovered 2023 have now closed.
Apply for the Uncovered program by describing your product and its connection to Australia or the Sydney Opera House through the online application form. Products are not expected to include a visual of the Sydney Opera House.
Applicants may enter one product or a range of products under the category that best reflects their work.
Product submissions are being invited across three categories:
- For the Young and the Young at Heart
- For the Home
- For the Look
Applications are open to:
- Makers who are Australian citizens or residents (must be currently residing in Australia)
- Makers over 18 years old
- Makers registered for an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Makers with the ability to raise invoices and an Australian bank account
The Sydney Opera House will only accept applications from independent creatives who own the copyright for their product. Third parties promoting a creative, maker or artist are not eligible to apply.
Please read the Uncovered Terms & Conditions before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Uncovered is a retail program now in its fourth year, offering three emerging local creatives, makers, or artists the opportunity to stock their uniquely Australian product in the Sydney Opera House’s on-site and online retail shop.
Product submissions are being invited across three categories:
- For the Young and the Young at Heart
- For the Home
- For the Look
Uncovered originated from a small working team of retail experts striving to bring the best of Australian products to the Sydney Opera House Shop. The products showcased in the store strive to be as bold and inspiring as the Sydney Opera House itself and our team want to give Australian creatives and makers the opportunity to showcase their work using the shelves of the Sydney Opera House Shop as a new stage.
The program is open to Australian makers, creatives and artists with an established and uniquely Australian product who are looking for a new opportunity to sell and promote their work.
To be eligible, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident over 18 years old, with an ABN and Australian bank account.
The Sydney Opera House will only accept applications from independent creatives who own the copyright for their products.
Applications closed at 11.59pm AEST on Sunday 24 September 2023.
As long as you are over 18 years, you are neither too old or too young to participate in Uncovered by the Sydney Opera House.
The Uncovered team will endeavour to contact all applicants to acknowledge if they have been successful in their application for this year or not. If shortlisted, applicants will be contacted via phone or email to discuss their application further.
You may only submit one application per year, in one of the three categories.
Unfortunately late applications will not be accepted.
Applications will be assessed against a number of criteria, including creativity, innovation, suitability for the Sydney Opera House Shop, and alignment to our values (see below).
The land on which the Sydney Opera House stands has been a place of gathering for the Gadigal People, and Sydney basin clans to dance, sing, feast, exchange knowledge and share stories. The Sydney Opera House carries on this legacy by embracing and celebrating the culture of Australia’s First Nations People and First Nations globally.
The Sydney Opera House’s architect, Jørn Utzon, incorporated sustainable design elements to ensure we continue to preserve the land of the Gadigal People. The Sydney Opera House aims to be a leader in environmental and social sustainability with its 2020-2023 Sustainability Plan that builds on the legacy of the Gadigal People.
If you are a First Nations maker or an artist of sustainable products we would love to see your work amongst the applications.
Furthermore, we are looking for products that reflect the Sydney Opera House’s vision to be as bold and inspiring as the building itself.
Sydney Opera House Values:
- Creativity: Be bold and innovative
- Excellence: Strive for the best
- Collaboration: One team
- Accountability: Focus and own it
- Safety: Our greatest responsibility
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be placed in the Sydney Opera House Shop by the end of 2023. The Sydney Opera House will advise you when your product will be in store.
If you have any questions about completing your application, please contact uncovered@sydneyoperahouse.com.