Weaving with Raffia: Spring Weaving Course with Melinda Solomon

Experience the creative and cultural spirit of Kaiela Arts as the studio opens its doors to the wider community this Spring!

Weaving is a practice that has been passed down through generations, strengthening identity, kinship, and connections to Country. This 5-week hands-on weaving course led by Eastern Kuku Yalanji and Girramay artist Melinda Solomon, offers participants the opportunity to sit, weave, and yarn together while learning traditional and contemporary weaving techniques using natural and dyed raffia.

Across the series, participants will:

• Learn foundational weaving techniques using natural and dyed raffia

• Explore different weaving practices and cultural approaches

• Create their own woven jewellery pieces

• Create a small woven basket

• Develop skills and meet like-minded people in a supportive and culturally rich environment

Whether you're new to weaving or looking to deepen your skills, this workshop offers a meaningful opportunity to learn, create, and connect.

This workshop is for women only aged 18+.

Full course cost: $250

Inclusions:

• 5 x 1.5hr workshops

• 1 x Kaiela Arts Weaving Kit

• Raffia and equipment

• Light refreshments

About Melinda Solomon

Melinda Solomon is a proud Aboriginal woman of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji and Girramay peoples of Far North Queensland. A passionate visual artist, she expresses her deep cultural connections through a vibrant and diverse artistic practice.

Her work is inspired by family stories and a profound connection to Country, drawing on the landscapes of rainforests, bushlands, rivers, oceans, and the native animals that inhabit them. By combining traditional cultural symbols with intricate contemporary designs, Melinda creates bold and colourful artworks that celebrate her identity, culture, and the natural world.

Melinda’s work has been featured by the Koorie Heritage Trust and the Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair. She is also the founder of Baljil Art, a creative business based in Victoria where she sells art prints, handmade jewellery, and woven baskets. You can find Baljil Art at various festivals and markets, including Share the Spirit, NAIDOC Week events, and the Finders Keepers Market.