Dear Artist,

Welcome to the Art for Takayna Residency! Held on Thursday, 17 April, 4pm to Monday, 21 April.

We're thrilled you'll be joining us for four transformative days in one of Tasmania's most spectacular wilderness areas. Your participation will help amplify the voice of this ancient landscape through your unique artistic vision.

Your residency will be more than just an artistic retreat – it's an opportunity to forge meaningful connections with fellow artists and environmental campaigners from the Bob Brown Foundation while contributing to vital conservation efforts. Whether you'll be staying at our basecamp, joining a guided wilderness trek, or working from our house facility, you'll be immersed in an ancient environment that has inspired countless stories and creative works.

We're carefully reviewing your responses about your wilderness experience, artistic medium, and accommodation preferences to ensure you're placed in a setting that best supports your creative practice and comfort level.
Your work will contribute to our upcoming exhibition at the Long Gallery (5-22 June 2025), creating a powerful collective statement about the importance of protecting Takayna.

The main activities over the 5 days include:

Thursday: briefings, safety talks, camp out and share dinner together at Waratah.
Friday morning: travel to your allocated base camp
Friday – Sunday: time in Takayna with options of short and long guided walks into the surrounds
Monday morning: camp pack down and travel home

3 delicious vegan, peanut free and gluten free option meals will be provided each day of the residency. You will need to bring your own snacks outside of these meals.

In preparation for your stay, please remember to bring:

Your preferred art materials and equipment
A waterproof tent or suitable sleeping arrangement
Appropriate bedding
Wet weather gear
Warm clothing
Any personal items you'll need for your stay including personal medications, snacks and water to drink.

A reminder that while we love pets, we cannot accommodate any animals during the residency.

Arrival Instructions:

Location: Waratah Men’s Shed, your gateway to the event.
Camping: Begin your adventure camping on the oval Thursday night, transitioning to your base camp with your group on Friday.
Time: Arrive between 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Thursday. Given the unpredictable nature of travel, allow extra time. Note: We advise against driving after dusk due to wildlife hazards.

What to Bring: A detailed gear list is provided below. We cater to vegan, gluten-free, and peanut-free diets. Should you have additional dietary needs, please plan accordingly.

Upon Arrival: Please set up your camp on the Waratah cricket pitch's right side; camper vehicles go beyond on the hill.

Group and Base Camp Information: Details on base camp allocations will be coming later. A 'Base Camps' document, complete with directions and more, will be provided Thursday evening of the residency.

Travel to the Event: Located in remote northwest Tasmania, Takayna is about a 5-hour drive from Hobart and 3.5 from Launceston. To reduce cars and assist interstate attendees, we encourage carpooling. If transportation is a concern, reach out to us, though our ability to assist is limited. Here is our carpool group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1920625231543562/

Bringing Friends: We are at capacity, we have a waitlist for late entries. Please don’t bring extra people unless they have bought a ticket. If you can’t make it please let us know so we can open up a spot for someone else.

You'll be receiving specific details about your assigned location and any additional information you'll need closer to the date, including a detailed event guide booklet. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Gear List:

Essential Gear:

3 to 4 season tent
Sleeping mat
3 seasons sleeping bag
Good quality rain jacket with a hood
Waterproof overpants
Jumper (fleece or wool, not cotton)
Thermal underlayer (not cotton)
Shorts/hiking pants
Durable, waterproof hiking boots (ankle high)
Camp shoes (e.g., crocs, sandals)
Woolen thick hiking socks
Drybag for warm camp clothes
Broad-brimmed sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Personal toiletries, medications
Water bottle, head torch (extra batteries)
Toilet paper
Cutlery, bowl, plate, mug
Whistle
Personal snacks, small first aid kit
Portable phone charger, extra water supply

Useful Extras:

Binoculars, magnifying glass, camera
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) if available
For remote groups: lightweight stove, water sanitization tablets, water bladder

Additional Notes: Carry a large water container if driving from within Tasmania. The weather in Takayna can be unpredictable; dress accordingly.

We value your participation and commitment to safety, preparation, and respect for the environment.

We look forward to witnessing how Takayna's ancient forests, rugged coastlines, and wild rivers will inspire your creative practice and contribute to its preservation.

With warmth

Kat Traill

Event Producer – Bob Brown Foundation

kat@bobbrown.org.au