I would like to acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung, who are the Traditional Owners of the land where I work and live. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. I particularly want to acknowledge Dja Dja Wurrung weavers and pay my respects to their efforts to pass on traditional knowledge to the … More Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners

Wearing masks indoors did not dampen the enthusiasm at the Sculptural Basketry workshop last Saturday 12th June. Towards the start of the workshop I asked, “Who has worked with wire?” and no-one put their hand up! Despite this, beginners wrangled with wire and natural materials (muehlenbeckia & silver birch branches) to make beautiful work. Not … More Sculptural Basketry at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre

On Saturday May 1 I helped a group to make birds and on Sunday May 2 participants made platypuses. That night what drama! Wangaratta knew how to say goodbye, with a spectacular thunder and lightening storm featuring beautiful grey skies. So…Art, Community, Environment, Seasons…this working holiday had it all!

Here are the platypuses made by the community in Wangaratta for Across the Arts. They have visited GoTafe, the Wangaratta Art Gallery and who knows where next!

It was great to have a quiet day yesterday after a flurry of activity! I stitched the flax surfaces on to finish the feet of the platypuses. Thanks to Pam, for cooking me vegetable lasagna for dinner. So generous of her to share this incredible place in the Warby Ranges. No more photos, until the … More Day 4 – Community Artwork for Across the Arts

Many hands returned for Day 3 so they must be enjoying it! Willow and flax has been transformed into forms that are starting to resemble platypuses. Lovely people and place, even the weather is fantastic In Wangaratta!

Yesterday 10 of us worked collaboratively to construct the bodies of 2 large platypuses out of wild willow. There was a sense of purpose and excitement about learning new skills and embarking on an ambitious project. At the end of a big day I breathed a sigh of relief that everything went so well! Thank … More Day 2 – Community Artwork for Across the Arts

I have arrived in Wangaratta and started the community artwork for Across the Arts. Yesterday a small group of us collected, stripped and organised willow into sizes. Today a larger group will be starting to weave a pair of platypuses!

I am off to Wangaratta on Friday April 23 to help a group of weavers create a community artwork for Across the Arts. The community artwork is a pair of platypuses that will be woven the week leading up to and then displayed during the Arts Festival. On Saturday May 1 & Sunday May 2 … More Across the Arts

Thanks to all the participants for such a lovely day at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre last Saturday. It was the first workshop back at the centre since March 2020. Tables were spread out in the spacious hall, but we came together at the end of the day for a quick photo! I wore a mask … More Melon Basketry in Creswick