Arts & Crafts History: The Homely Heart of the Sydney Royal Easter Show

From Fine Art Exhibitions to Everyday Homemaking Skills

When the Show relocated to Prince Alfred Park in 1869, fine arts were introduced on a grand scale, with oil paintings, watercolours, photographs and architectural drawings displayed in a dedicated upper gallery. For many visitors, this was their first chance to see art of classical subjects, portraits and local landscapes, long before public art institutions became widely accessible. Alongside these “high culture” works, preserved foods like confectionery, jams and bottled fruit also appeared, foreshadowing the blending of artistic expression with practical homemaking skills. Over time, decorative arts, needlework and other domestic crafts joined the schedule, creating a more complete picture of creativity in everyday life.

War, Migration and the Rise of Inclusive Craft Competitions

The world wars reshaped the Arts & Crafts landscape by highlighting the therapeutic and social value of making. Injured servicemen learned crafts through occupational therapy and were later offered their own classes, opening pathways for broader participation beyond traditional gender roles. In the post war decades, classes expanded to include people with disabilities more generally, and men and women began to compete alongside each other. Waves of migration enriched the competition schedule with new techniques, textiles and traditional crafts, as organisers introduced categories to honour the diverse cultural backgrounds of exhibitors. Today, the section continues to promote inclusion, encouraging first time entrants and the many crafters who rediscovered making during periods of isolation.

The Digital Age of Arts & Crafts at the Sydney Royal Easter Show

In recent years, the Arts & Crafts competition has embraced digital change while holding fast to its handmade heritage. Photography has expanded into dedicated digital categories, and new classes now recognise vector and raster art created with contemporary software. Organisers work closely with specialist guilds to refine classes and respond to emerging technologies, including ongoing conversations about the role of AI in creative practice. Behind the scenes, digital tools and QR codes help manage and track thousands of entries, ensuring that works are correctly displayed, judged and returned, while visitors still enjoy the tactile, in person experience of seeing art and craft up close.

Iconic Arts & Crafts Treasures from the RAS Archives

The Royal Agricultural Society’s heritage collection preserves outstanding examples that tell the human stories behind the exhibits. Delicate Victorian fish scale embroidery, vibrant woven wall hangings created through years of patient effort, and lifelike silk flowers that once swept the prize lists all reveal the skill, perseverance and imagination of their makers. Each piece captures a moment in time – fashions, materials and personal histories woven together in thread, fibre and fabric. These treasures, brought out for special displays, connect today’s Showgoers with generations of exhibitors who have shaped the Arts & Crafts section into the homely, inclusive heart of the “people’s Show.”

Words by Vicky Hastrich