31 March 2026
The fab Workshop and Studio x Helpmann Academy Residency 2026 provides two eligible emerging South Australian artists with a 12-month rent-free studio space, mentoring by established practitioners and an opportunity to exhibit works as part of Adelaide Fringe 2027.
We are thrilled to announce emerging artists Kit Lyon and Sam Matthewman as the 2026 fab Workshop and Studio x Helpmann Academy residents.
Kit Lyon (she/her) @klyon440
Kathryn Lyon (Kit Lyon) is an emerging artist living and working on Kaurna land, within the fields of sculpture and photography. Influenced by the complex and familiar nature of human anatomy, she creates sculptures using found, recycled, and affordable materials. With interests in mythology and science fiction, her practice explores the current social and political climate from a dystopian and otherworldly perspective.
Kit has previously exhibited at Light Square Gallery for Threads, SALA (2024), Sub-Basement, Graduate Exhibition, (2024), and A Riot of Sunlight, Graduate Exhibition (2025). After graduating with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts) in 2025, she will continue to complete a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts) (Honours) at Flinders University in 2026.
“For me this will be an invaluable experience. Gaining this space will allow me to explore sculpture more freely. It is a great opportunity to learn new skills from industry professionals that will help expand my practice.”
Kit Lyon, fab Workshop and Studio x Helpmann Academy 2026 resident
Sam Matthewman (they/them) @am.i.sam.i.am @sam.matthewman.artist
Sam Matthewman is a multidisciplinary artist and circus performer based on Kaurna Land. Their practice spans sculpture, ceramics, and performance, exploring the intersection of physical movement and material form. Sam creates work that integrates circus apparatus with sculptural objects, often transforming everyday materials into playful, performative structures. They have performed internationally, including at Edinburgh Fringe and in Hong Kong’s Tai Kwun Art Centre, and toured their own circus show, Artist / Acrobat. Alongside their practice, Sam works as a coach at Cirkidz and contributes to prop and stage design for contemporary circus productions.
“This residency feels like the missing link in my practice—giving me the space and tools to move my sculptural and circus work into steel. Learning metalworking in a shared studio will let me build more ambitious, durable works and push further into creating performance objects that sit between sculpture and circus.”
Sam Matthewman,fab Workshop and Studio x Helpmann Academy 2026 resident
The Helpmann Academy is incredibly proud of our long-term partnership with fab Workshop and Studio and are delighted to continue the partnership with this next iteration of the program in 2026.
Huge congratulations to Kit and Sam, we can’t wait to see where this residency takes you!
Learn more about the fab Workshop and Studio x Helpmann Academy Residency 2026 here.
This opportunity is generously supported by Virginia Jay.
Images: (1) Kit Lyon, “Steal from the Poor and Give to the Greedy”(Maquette), (2025). Image credit: Kit Lyon. (2) Sam Matthewman at British School at Rome Open Studios. Image credit: Luana Rigolli. (3) Kit Lyon, “Steal from the Poor and Give to the Greedy” (Installation View), (2025). Image credit: Kit Lyon (4) Sam Matthewman Poi Performance. Image credit: Rosina Possingham.