A new game has landed at Toko Elami: Animals of Bali Memory Game

Welcoming a collaboration with illustrator Cecillia Hidayat featuring 20 whimsical illustrations of Balinese animals—like the shy pangolin, the rare mola-mola sunfish, the noisy tokek gecko, and the happy Bali dog! Drawn exclusively for Toko Elami.

We are so happy to have a new game in store, exuding oodles of cuteness and adorable pastels. Originally we thought this was a great game for the under-ten years old, but after a few very spirited rounds in the office, we realize this is truly a game for all ages. You’ll definitely find out how good your memory is after only a few goes!

We will let artist Cecillia Hidayat introduce herself in her own words:

Hi, I'm Cecil, an illustrator living in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. As an introvert, I feel like I speak better through my drawings. Having spent several years working in Jakarta as an art director in advertising agencies, I decided that I'm not built for the big city's hustle and bustle, and I started following my true passion for children's illustration when I moved to Ubud in 2013. When not working, you can mostly find me strolling through the rice fields, trying to make friends with the stray dogs I find along the way. 

How to play  

Players flip two cards per turn. If they match, the player keeps the pair and goes again. If they don't match, flip the cards back over and let the next player take a turn. Whoever collects the most pairs wins!

The illustration feature every day animals (like the familiar Bali household pets) to animals that are becoming more and more rare, and even extinct. One of our favorite details is the little halo on the Bali Tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica), which went extinct in the 1950s.The deer of Pulau Menjangan in West Bali National Park also appear, as do the Bali Myna or Rothschild Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), with its classic blue eye mask.

The perfect gift for the animal lovers (young and old) in your life. Now in store at Toko Elami in Ubud, Bali.

Behind the design: a dinner for Visa Infinite x Room4Dessert

In honor of Room4Desserts’s 21st birthday, we were invited to create decor for two events being held with Visa Infinite as part of the celebrations.

The first was a dinner for 40 people, held inside Room4Dessert’s beautiful dining room. Working with a existing palette of pink and copper, the rose gold theme of Visa Infinite was a pleasure to design. Pink and navy led the overall look, with pops of metallics.

We created a tropical floral installation on either side of the copper bar with Sandat Florals, elegant navy and pink linens by The Host Table, and handmade Balinese origami dragonflies, crickets and birds with Udayana Art Space to complete the look. Hand lettered place cards by Michellaenous.

Guests arrived through the Room4Dessert garden, passing edible plants on the way to cocktail hour in the L’Hort area of the restaurant. We added lotus lamps with LED candles, small florals on Balinese dulang stands, garden lighting and a archway for guests to walk through.

We wanted to make sure the Balinese identity and spirit of the location shone through and that the food and guests chefs were the main focus of the evening.

Get to know: Cecillia Hidayat, illustrator, animal lover and introvert

This collaboration has us squealing. The Queen of Adorable herself, illustrator Cecillia Hidayat, agreed to create a memory card game for Toko Elami with all original artwork and we couldn’t be more excited!

The Bali Animal Memory Card Game is a great game for littles, stretching their brains and memory skills while being a totally scree-free analog experience. AND you get to learn about Bali’s wildlife! #WIN

We want you guys to know (and love!) Cecil as much as we do, so we asked her a few questions.

Self portrait by Cecillia Hidayat

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your creative identity/journey.

I’m Cecil, an introvert who finds it easier to express myself through drawings rather than talking. Even though my family was against me becoming an art person, I took graphic design in college and ended up working as an art director for around five years in advertising agencies in Jakarta. But then I realized I’m not built for that hustle and bustle, and I decided to pursue my true passion in illustration. And here I am now, working as a full-time freelance illustrator. 😊

Where do you feel most creative?

In the most unexpected places, really. A confession: I often feel sleepy and my mind wanders everywhere when I’m attending mass at church, and some of my (self-proclaimed) best ideas to date began there. Or when I’m taking my sweet time in the shower. Or when I’m on the verge of sleep. Or when I’m blasting my favorite music through my headphones.

If your creative work were edible, what would it taste like?

I think it would taste like a daily traditional treat (maybe something like kue lumpur?). It’s subtle and doesn’t scream anything, but it’s kind of comforting, and you crave it from time to time (I hope so, hahaha).

Do you pay attention to people's reactions to your work? Does that affect what you create?

Yes. I’m an overthinker, and I overthink everything, including people’s reactions. The younger me would be very affected and would try hard to please everyone. But now, I’ve learned that the absolute joy of making art lies in staying true to myself and what I believe in. Receiving bad reactions still affects me, but I’m done trying to please everyone, hahahah.

If you could meet a creative/maker/artist (past or present), who would that person be?

Ugh, so many. Although I probably wouldn’t know what to say if I met them… I’d just want to say thank you for creating works that moved me. If I had to choose: Dice Tsutsumi and his Tonko House gang.

What's your favorite thing about being a creative in Bali and/or Indonesia?

Bali — you really can’t ask for more. Every nook and cranny is inspiring here. Ubud especially. There are so many interesting cultural events, and the artists here are my source of inspiration and humility. Things are slower compared to Jakarta, where I used to live, and I feel like I have more time to tidy up my messy brain.

What's a secret talent or obsession no one really knows about?: Years ago, before I even knew about pen tablets, I used to create my illustrations using only the trackpad on my laptop.

Elami Note: this is MINDBLOWING

Can you drop a hint about what we can look forward to seeing from you in 2026?

I honestly don’t know the answer to this one, hahahah. I just got declined by an illustration fair I really wished to take part in, and my plans and confidence feel a bit scattered right now lol. But I do plan to (finally) build a serious branding for my work, and I’m trying to write a children’s book (God knows when it will be finished, but please wish me luck!).

Behind the design: A glamorous beach dinner in white

A bohemian, all-white night on a Bali white sand beach? Of course! The clients asked for touches of crystal, pearl and shell to elevate the whole experience, which gave us a great base to start designing.

Taking over the Reef Beach Club at Kempinski is always fun. This time we wanted to lean into Bali’s water journey, from mountain to sea while keeping it an elegant beach experience for the 100 guests.

Guests were greeted and lead to the Beach Club by undulating white fish puppets covered in shell scales and led down a path surrounded by white umbul umbul flags and modern Balinese woven leaf sculpture.

They then came to a traditional all-white Balinese jukung fishing boat doing double duty as a screen, perched on the sands with bamboo outriggers providing support. The fish find their home next to boat for dinner.

The cocktail area was set up with crystal chandeliers and shell lamps between sofa sets. Moving over to dinner, tables were set up under the fairy lights for a family style dinner. All white flowers with pearl pins, white linens and place names on thin white shells completed the look.

As a special moment between courses, the standing fish decor once more came to life, swimming between tables, glowing from within. Then they were joined by a pure white heron, a walking puppet 3 meters tall operated by 5 people, with wings of white shell. A moments to show off Bali’s contemporary performing arts scene inspired by the annual ogoh ogoh creations.

Get to know: IG Sukarya, featured artist for Ubud Open Studios 2026

Sit with us as we get to know I Gede Sukarya, a young Balinese artist who we are proud to be working with to create the official artwork of the 2026 Ubud Open Studios. We fell in love with Sukarya’s vision and technique of working with cut out leather to create his artworks. We also felt his work encapsulates the past and future of Balinese art and that is the essence of the UOS event.

Let me introduce myself, I'm Sukarya. I'm from Buleleng, but my studio is in Sukawati, Gianyar. I create art using cowhide as my medium, with a cutout technique called tatahan. This is the wayang kulit (shadow puppet) technique that I learned when I moved to Sukawati. Honestly, I actually learned this skill from my father-in-law, but indirectly—I learned on my own. At first, just watching, watching, watching. I became interested, then bought my own tools, bought my own leather, and carved on my own at his house.

But there were a few things I asked about, how to go faster, or how to make the chisel smooth. It's like a regeneration from the older generation to the younger one. There is one path, but I don't really delve too deeply into the traditional aspect because that's a different domain. In my area of Buleleng, there there's no such thing as cowhide craft, or using cowhide as an offering, not like in South Bali.

Because I made my art in South Bali, so they [the South Balinese] had already seen it often—in fact, they had better, more detailed ones than the ones I made. But the response from outsiders, people from outside Bali, was very, very positive. They felt it was new, different from the traditions in Bali. Especially since I often add several layers of leather, my work isn’t flat. I add different leather to make it appear more raised. Maybe that's what they see as different from Balinese tradition. Personally, I'm happy, and it makes me more motivated to create something different from tradition. But I acknowledge that I'm continuing a tradition.

My works are mostly about culture, but there are some about nature as well. Most of it is about Balinese traditions and culture, especially in Buleleng, like the carvings and figures from the olden days. I lean more toward contemporary, because I don't use traditional technical rules. In Bali there are many rules regarding [wayang] tradition, but I prefer to combine tradition with modernity or contemporaneity itself, like incorporating media and certain issues that exist today.

I first learned about Ubud Open Studios last year through Penawati, my wife who also participated [in 2024]. I've known about it since the very first UOS was held, but at that time, I didn't have a studio , and was still freelancing. I joined last year and now I've been selected as a featured artist. It's a source of pride for me that as a newcomer, I was immediately selected as a featured artist.

At first, I was nervous when attendees came to the studio in a group and asked questions. Honestly, even though there weren't that many at the time because my studio is still in a small space. The response from visitors was very positive. They felt it was new, to see the leather cut-out, the wayang kulit techniques. In my studio it's not just me working; there's also my father-in-law who is also a traditional leather artisan, not just making shadow puppets, but also barong decorations. The audience coming to my studio doesn't just get contemporary artwork rooted in traditional cut-work, they also learn about the tradition directly.

As for the impact of Ubud Open Studios, it seems like many people have become more familiar with artists' studios that aren't located in art centers. There are also many artists in remote areas because most artists like to be in places that are somewhat quiet. And also since Ubud Open Studios started, the audience knows more now—oh, here there's this person's studio, here there's this studio, that studio. So it's good for the artists themselves, those who have studios, and also the audience that finds it easier to discover new studios. At UOS it's not just about painting, there's also blacksmithing & knife making, even photography, printmaking, there's a lot. So it's good for the future.

All photos by Gung Una for Ubud Open Studios.

Our favorite events to attend in Bali (as event producers)

Living and working as event producers in Bali has given us front-row seats to some of the most amazing annual happenings you'll find anywhere in the world. We're talking about everything from the incredible Balinese festivals (like the ogoh ogoh parades before Nyepi day, when the entire island goes completely silent for 24 hours) to the buzzing energy of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, where book lovers and authors from everywhere come together. What we love most is how diverse the scene is here. As people who create events for a living, we're constantly amazed by how Bali manages to blend traditions with cutting-edge contemporary culture, creating these unforgettable experiences that keep drawing people back year after year.

We’ve picked a few of our favorite events on the island in case you want to add them to your calendar.

1/ Ubud Writers and Readers Festival

To have a festival of this caliber on our doorstep is such a privilege. We close the office every year and head to the festival as a team for a four day brain spa. We always make time for the poetry and the unknown (to us) writers as they often have the most surprising panels. In their words: Set in the heart of Ubud, Bali's vibrant art and cultural hub, the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival invites thousands of attendees each year who are offered the opportunity to listen to world-leading writers, poets, and novelists in conversations about a range of themes. We take pride in celebrating curiosity and a sense of intellectual adventure every October in the heart of Bali. Our program is driven by the desire to spark ideas, foster dialogue, and provide a space for engaging with the world.

2/ Jia CURATED

A new but much-appreciated addition to the event landscape of Bali, this design and craft celebration is one of our most anticipated annual events. From the venue (an abandoned theme park crumbling away) to the vendors (all incredibly talented) to the immersive experiences, it’s an amazing event.

In their words: Jia CURATED is an immersive weekend of craft, design, and culture. Originally introduced in 2022 as Jia Curated Kiosks, it evolved into Jia CURATED in 2025, expanding its vision and impact. Rooted in the meaning of Jia—home in Chinese—the event explores a new theme each year, fostering connections and dialogue through exhibitions, programmes, and initiatives.

3/ Ubud Food Festival

A sister festival to Ubud Writers, the Ubud Food Festival is everything a foodie could want. Geek out on the technique and science, go deep on the history and culture, or just eat to your heart’s content.

In their words: Founded in 2015, the Ubud Food Festival is a three-day cross-cultural culinary adventure with Indonesian food as the star. Showcasing Indonesia’s diverse cuisine, innovative chefs, and extraordinary local produce have always been at the heart of UFF. Each year, the festival welcomes audiences and chefs from near and far to learn about Indonesia through its cuisine.

And a bonus one (and one we actually produce so we don’t actually get to see much but people tell us they love it!) is Ubud Open Studios. An annual celebration of art and artists where over 60 studios throw open their doors for three days so you can curate the art journey of your dreams.

Behind the design: A Royal Dinner at Ibah

We were honored to helm the design and production of a private dinner for 50 people at the Ibah property hosted by the Kerthyasa family. The dinner was created for guests to meet members of Ubud’s royal family and to learn about Ubud’s history and heritage, while experiencing it surrounded by the stunning architecture and landscape of the property.

Facing the threat of rain in a very unusual August climate, we pivoted in the last 48 hours to redesign the event spaces and rethink the whole evening, a massive undertaking for the team and Ibah. We moved the dinner into the lobby area, kept the cocktail area in the main restaurant, and created a stage and seating for audience in the garden.

The guests entered through a traditional Balinese stone gate decorated with handwoven gold accent pieces, after being greeted by a friendly barong troupe. They then passed by the animals of Bali, wayang leather shadow puppet figures emerging from the garden beds as they walked towards a sole dancer positioned at the end of the walkway.

Some of the Kerthyasa family members gave a brief talk after cocktails were served under open skies to help guests gain a deeper understanding of Ubud. They presented against a beautiful hand-woven leaf backdrop featuring traditional Balinese floral motifs.

The tablescape featured local flowers like marigolds, hydrangeas, and strelitzia, interspersed with handwoven traditional Balinese offering components. Place names were held by intricately pieced together offering components representing the head of a dancer.

Lighting came from human-sized standing lotus lamps and hanging lotus blooms, all made from natural leaf materials, and candles wrapped in banana skin lining the footpaths.

Ibah is located on the historical grounds of the Campuhan Valley by the Wos River in Ubud, built on ancestral lands that were gifted as a wedding present to the founding family.

The property serves as both a sanctuary for travelers seeking a ‘old Bali’ experience and a vibrant tribute to preserving classic Balinese culture. Tjokorda Raka Kerthyasa holds the position of Bendesa Adat of Ubud (Head of Customary Village Organization) since 2009 and is one of Bali's respected authorities on culture and local traditions.

The Ibah property represents a beautiful blend of royal heritage, cultural preservation, and hospitality, maintaining its ancestral significance while serving as a luxury accommodation for visitors to Ubud.

Five of the best attendee gifts we ever put together for Bali events

Attendee gifts, event merch, swag – whatever you call it, it's controversial.

We've had many hours of conversation with clients who swear they don't want to give attendees anything, that it will be a waste, and then as the event creeps closer, panic and have to choose from the same old selections. Sound familiar?

Look, we get it. You've seen the conference tote bags left behind, the branded pens that end up in hotel room trash cans, and the USB drives gathering dust in desk drawers. But here's the thing – when done right, attendee gifts become conversation starters, Instagram moments, and genuine reminders of an incredible experience. And in a place like Bali, we are spoiled for choice. We can have the most incredible custom pieces created that are amazing brand ambassadors long after the event is over.

After 15+ years of producing events in Bali, we've learned that the best attendee gifts aren't about your logo (shocking, we know). They're about creating a connection between your guests and the place they're visiting, giving them something with actual utility, or sparking joy in unexpected ways.

P.S. water bottles? You’d be surprised how well received they are in this climate and when you can’t drink the tap water!

Before we dive into five attendee gifts that had people genuinely excited to take them home and why they worked so well, let us plant some ideas in your head.

Working with Local Artisans: What Event Planners Need to Know

One thing we've learned: working with local artists and craftspeople requires a different approach than ordering from corporate suppliers. Here's what to expect:

• Timeline: Add 4 weeks to what you think you need

• Communication: Be prepared for different business practices and response times

• Samples: Always order samples early – handmade means variations

• Minimums: Many artisans have higher minimums than expected

• Payment: Many require significant deposits upfront

But the results are worth it. The authenticity and uniqueness you get from working with local creators can't be replicated by mass-produced alternatives.

The Sustainability Factor

More and more corporate groups are asking about the environmental impact of their events, including gifts. Here's how to make attendee gifts part of your sustainability story rather than a guilt factor:

• Choose items with longevity: Things people will use for years, not months

• Support local economies: Keep money in the destination community

• Avoid single-use items: Even if they're branded beautifully

• Consider experiences over objects: Sometimes the gift is the experience itself

• Tell the impact story: Let attendees know how their gift made a difference

  The Future of Attendee Gifts

Based on what we're seeing with corporate groups, here's where attendee gifts are heading:

• More experiential: Classes, workshops, and activities rather than objects

• Hyper-personalized: Mass customization technology making individual touches affordable

• Impact-driven: Gifts that create positive change in the destination

With that, these are the 5 gifts that made us most proud to be a part of curating and producing.

1/ A branded edition of our Snakes and Ladders game

This was a special gift for attendees of an asset managment group. How fitting is the message of Snakes and Ladders for that crowd? A special reminder of their time in Bali and something they could share with their family once they got home.

2/ Custom banded notebooks for guests to invite them to journal, sketch, dream.

Basically slow down and be present in Bali. Featuring artwork by a Balinese artist Maya Kerthyasa of the gorgeous Balinese landscape. A budget-friendly gift with a big impact and strong ties to the island. The notebooks are also hand-bound and made of recycled paper by a group of women right here in Bali.

3/ A hand loomed scarf with a live weaving demonstration

We organized custom white scarves (for an all white party) from Bali’s oldest handloom fabric studio. Instead of just giving them to attendees, we set up a full loom with a live demonstration of the weaving process during the sunset cocktail hour. And if they got chilly after a long night of dancing? Perfect for the ride home.

4/ A Balinese Tridatu blessing bracelet with sterling silver charm

This is such a simple but powerful gift to give people arriving in Bali. We pair this with a simple ceremony led by a priest to welcome attendees and ask for blessings for the event. The bracelet has a simple silver charm with an event symbol on it and a extender to cover all wrist sizes.

5/ Cookbook signed with personal message from author

This was an amazing room drop. a cookbook featuring recipes from two of Bali’s most respected writers and chefs. Even more incredible as the guests ate the food from the cookbook two times during their event during meals cooked by the authors!

Making It Happen

The best attendee gifts don't happen by accident. They require early planning, cultural understanding, and connections with local creative communities – exactly the kind of relationships that large DMCs struggle to maintain but boutique planners like us specialize in.

If you're planning a corporate event in Bali and want attendee gifts that people actually keep, start the conversation early. The most meaningful gifts can't be rushed, but they're worth the extra planning time.

Your attendees will thank you. Your client will love the positive feedback. And six months later, when someone wears their batik shirt to a dinner party or cooks a recipe from a cookbook for friends, they'll remember exactly how your event made them feel.

Limited budget? Prioritize these 3 things at your event

So your Bali event budget is tight? Here's what actually matters from a Bali event production team who have seen a LOT in their day.

Most clients don't have unlimited budgets. After 15+ years producing events in Bali, we've learned what makes or breaks an event. If you had to choose, we suggest prioritizing three things: food, AV and venue. And if you have some leftover funds? Get an amazing photographer!

Why These Three Rule Everything

Your guests will remember how they felt, not the napkin color, or the swag. We’ve all been to events that focus on the photo optics, but forget that guests can’t hear the people they came to see, or where attendees are so hungry and thirsty that they can’t think straight. These three ‘holy trinity’ elements impact every single guest for the entire event duration.

Priority #1: Feed People Well

Hungry guests = cranky guests. Food is often the most talked-about element post-event, especially if the event hasn’t considered the vegetarians, or didn’t have free-flow water available.

What does "Feed People Well" mean for us? It's not about expensive ingredients or plated meals, it’s about timing, generosity, and variety. Fresh, well-prepared food beats fancy presentation every time. And if you think you have enough food, you don’t. You’d be so surprised how much food can be consumed.

For any event, the rule of thumb is to make sure there is food and drink either always available, or being served every two hours. For a cocktail hour event, having food flowing to soak up the alcohol is a must. For a formal event, think about family-style servings versus plated or a buffet for maximum impact.

Local ingredients done right will always win over imported disappointments and can be a lot less expensive, but leave guests raving. And yes, we did mention variety, but focus on 2-3 dishes done perfectly versus 10 mediocre options, while making sure the vegetarians and gluten-free folk have somewhere to turn.

Priority #2: Make Sure the AV is Amazing

If people can't hear, they tune out. It doesn’t matter how famous the speaker is, or worthy the topic, if attendees can’t hear or have to make an effort, it’s a disaster. Technical difficulties become the story everyone tells about your event: ‘It was such a shame…’ and let’s not even talk about bad lighting that kills the mood and the photos.

Good audio visual for events means crystal clear sound for every guest, not just the front row. It means proper lighting that makes people look good (not just the stage) Invest in quality sound first, projectors with good specs and lighting.

Work with your venue's existing systems when possible if you’ve chosen a venue with strong infrastructure, but test everything twice, use it once.

We see a lot of common tech-related mistakes that kill events. Assuming the venue's "sound system" is actually adequate is a huge one. High-tech is not what the average hotel has on hand.

Never forget about the ambient noise of the venue, especially if outdoors. Water flowing, cicadas, and restaurant kitchen noise have all wreaked havoc on event sound.

And above all, NEVER skip the sound and tech check.

Priority #3: Pick the Right Venue

The venue is the first domino that falls. Venue choice affects catering options, AV requirements, and overall guest experience. A DIY venue can hold some crazy hidden costs that lead to a huge budget balloon. The high venue rental cost that covers almost everything looks cheap in the end.

The venue can save or drain your budget faster than anything else, especially in Bali when you have to think about an electricity source, transport access for vendors, and a rain plan.

Things to think about when choosing a venue:

- Does it match your event size and style? It’s surprisungly hard to find a venue that takes over 100 people that’s not a hotel ballroom.

- Does it have the infrastructure you need? Especially important for weather and rainy days in time of climate change or yoru budget for furniture rental

- What are their restrictions and requirements? Some places will only let their chosen vendors operate there, or have 10pm sound restrictions, or don’t allow any single use material use. Ask for the full list before you fall in love with a space.

- What are the hidden costs? Extra security and village fees and mandatory generators have all tripped us up

- Where is it located? Makes a huge difference on Bali’s jammed streets. If your guests can’t get there on time, or there’s no parking, expect major delays.

The best way to avoid surprises is to let the event producers know the overall budget. We can then tell you what you absolutely can’t avoid and what smart substitutes we can make. Good producers can make your budget stretch, as long as you’ve realistically budgeted. Cost of living may be cheaper in Bali, but the cost of event production is higher than you think.

Religion and ritual in event production in Bali

What role do Balinese rituals play in event production? More than you’d think. We don’t hold any major event without asking permission of the land to hold our event and asking for protection until our event is finished.

Being very aware of our host culture and island, we do many things during events that often make our overseas clients break out in surprised laughter, or do a double-take, when they find out about it. The number one thing that shocks them? The line item in the budget for rain stopper or pawang hujan. But we’ve actually never done an event without having this ritual performed. To date, it’s never failed us.

What is a rain stopper? A pawang hujan is a traditional practitioner believed to possess the ability to control weather patterns, particularly to prevent rainfall during important events and ceremonies. These weather whisperers are commonly called upon for significant occasions such as weddings, cultural ceremonies, and sporting events where clear skies are desired. The practice has deep historical roots and remains active in various regions of Indonesia, especially in Bali, where pawang hujan are believed to perform specific rituals, prayers, and use sacred mantras or objects to influence atmospheric conditions. In Bali, the practice has been partly replaced by the ‘laser’ spotlight beamed up into the clouds before and during events in an effort to repel the rain.

You most probably will never see the rain stopper at our events. They will be stationed at the venue shrine, quietly doing the rituals required. It’s not a performance, just another piece of the dialogue between humans, the environment and the spiritual realm.

Ibu Dayu, who looks after our spiritual health all year round at the office and offsite, will make decisions of what offerings to make based on the number of shrines, location of the event, and duration of the event. Her most frequently asked questions: ‘is it close to a river?’. If the answer is yes, there are specific types of offerings that must be made.

When we arrive on site for an event, the offerings are one of the first things that follow. Sometimes a member of our team will join in. For us, it’s a way to ensure we’ve done everything we can to make sure the event production goes smoothly, not only on the worldly plane, but the other ones as well.

Behind the design: Ubud Open Studios Attendee Experience

Every year we try our very best to improve attendee experience for Ubud Open Studios. How can attendees best plan their perfect route? How can they learn about what studio has to offer? How can they pick 7 studios from a list of 70?

We know the huge range of studio types, focus and locations can be overwhelming, so we try our very best to offer different ‘doors’ for attendees to step through to access the information they need. We have our Google Map, our social media itineraries and studio profiles, our online art style quiz, our printed maps, our ticket hub printed and display information, our digital catalog, our Studio Showcase, our hub staff ready to answer questions, our Whatsapp hotline, AND our Studio Stewards. Whew! Getting information should never be hard at Ubud Open Studios. Now what you do with that info on the other hand…

1/ This year we re-created/adapted our online art quiz to take a up a whole wall at the ticket hub. An opportunity to get to know yourself better and then pick studios that match your art style. This was a raging success and we had to keep refilling the art-ineraries that people could take with them when they left the hub.

2/ As always, we had our Studio Showcase, which functions as a ‘walk-through catalog’. Attendees can visit the Showcase and see a piece from each participating studio, perhaps discovering a style, artist or craft that they didn’t even know they wanted to see. Then they just had to consult their map to find the location and add to the route!

3/ Of course, sometimes the best way is the hybrid way. The online and printed maps, the catalog, and our very helpful ticket hub team helped hundreds of people during the event. Sometimes all you need is to talk to a human!

Scroll through more of the images from our ticket hub and Studio Showcase.

A meeting of digital artists and collectors: Silk Road in Bali

When we first were contacted to help produce a digital art event, we were intrigued. We’re so used to the very physical art world, one rooted in handmade pieces, brushes covered in paint, ink on paper, or chisel on wood.

The team from Silk Road proceeded to introduce us to an incredible world of digital artists during a five-day gathering where art, technology, and culture collided — starting deep in the jungles of Ubud and moving towards the ocean shores of Seminyak.

Silk Road Chapter 02 / Bali was an exploration of art in the digital age. Under the theme ‘A New Dawn: Art in the Digital Age’, this event brought together leading artists and creators to showcase their work across different mediums – digital screens, physical prints, paintings, and live performances.

Silk Road Bali offers a glimpse into what art looks like today and where it’s headed. Through exhibitions and conversations, the event explored how these shifts impact the wider art world and the way we experience creativity.

Some of the behind-the-scenes moments and setups from the four days of the event below as we went from different locations across the islands, including a beautiful outdoor amphitheatre, a bamboo hall and a discotheque.

Behind the design: Ubud Open Studios 2025

This year our official hero artwork for Ubud Open Studios comes from contemporary Balinese artist NPAAW.

His work is amazing, an explosion of masking tape and spray paint, resulting in square patterns, plus additional surprises. We love how it gives a nod to the traditional open-weave textiles of Bali and the poleng motif, while also being incredibly modern. The added elements of the remnants of the process reflect the mission of Ubud Open Studios to show more than the finished artwork and product.

A subtle game of closed and open, which is a perfect fit for our ‘open studios’! The rich colors and minute details also make it perfect to add interest to event announcements.

10 things any Bali event producer must have

You could start a post like this with words like patience, sense of humor, ability to multitask… but we’re going with things you can buy (yay capitalism!). And things that save our lives at every event.

People don’t often think of the sheer physicality of events, but this is an actual team member’s data from a seven day event period. We do crazy long hours (often in Bali’s brutal heat) constantly moving to deliver the perfect event for clients.

On with the things we can’t live without:

1/ Rehydration salts: this is where you start in the morning, with a big dose of water with electrolytes. After you’ve been on your feet for 12 hours this makes a huge difference to how good you feel and/or the recovery process.

2/ Water bottle: Double insulated and at least 1-liter capacity. Make that two bottles. It can be a long, long times between refills. Fun fact, did you know there are still places in Bali that won’t refill your water bottle?

3/ Sun protection: sunblock (the Korean Joseon sunblock is amazing and sweat proof), sunglasses and hats. We’ve also been known to have umbrellas.

4/ WhatsApp: honestly, how did we do anything before Whatsapp? Every section of the event has a different coordination group. Then there are vendor groups, venue groups, client groups… we should count how many messages it takes to produce an event one day.

5/ Amazing shoes. Sneakers are the only way to go and they better be supportive.

6/ A uniform. So helpful when people don’t know you but need to find you fast or venue security is at the door. P.S. black hides the sweat.

7/ Snack bag: we always have a bag of snacks hidden at an event. We rarely get to sit down and eat so need something fast to keep energy levels up. We have a bag where you can choose your poison. MSG? check. Granola bar? check. Apples? Done.

8/ Battery pack: how to sabotage an event? make sure no one can recharge their phone. Game over. We love our big battery packs that are illegal to pack in your airplane luggage.

9/ Sling bag or phone strap: We usually need our hands to be free, but also need to carry around all of the above, so phone strap or sling bag is vital.

10/ The Event Bible: this is everything. The rundown from days before the event to the breaking down of an event. It’s is in print and digital format and is in everyone’s hands for when your brain stops working but you need to know what’s next. Clipboard optional.