We are excited to present to you the first of the Portland Workshops.

The workshops, held in the historic industrial grounds of the Foundations, formerly the Portland Cement Works (established 1902), has a wealth of visual stimulus at your fingertips. Its extraordinary how the attitude to life changes in regional Australia; only 2.5hrs by car from Sydney city, Portland is a world away from the hustle.

We are delighted to present our first in-depth 2 day workshop, and to have you join us at the table for creative conversations over lunch and dinner. We can’t wait to have you join us- leaving reinvigorated, stimulated, with an appetite for play!

Tin type photograph by Adrian Cook (2020)

With an award winning, highly experienced lineup of facilitators, these workshops are aimed to hone the focus of your art practice whilst creating community connections.

This first offering for these workshops include dynamic drawing, contemporary watercolour, abstract painting, and handbuilt ceramics presented by leading practitioners with a passion for their medium.

There is an option of joining us for a shared morning tea and lunch (included), a later Saturday night dinner (see tickets), as well as a music/ dance offering on Friday night. (All dietary requirements available)

The course descriptions below give you a taste of what is available, please click the web link for further information.

Accommodation is available both in Portland and Wallerawang; click the web link for further information and contact numbers

The workshops will be held on the historical grounds of the Portland Foundations, the cement works that built Sydney, opened in 1902. Portland is in the largest First Nations Country in Australia - Wiradjuri Country.

Now a heritage listed site, The Portland Workshops are proud to present our first in-depth 2 day workshops on such a historical location, we can’t wait to have you join us!

Harrie Fasher Website - More Info

The Foundations Website

Colour, Composition and Play: The Portland Workshops
30th November - 1st December 2024, 9:00am-4:00pm

Expressive Drawing, From en plein air to the studio - Jody Graham

Jody Graham: 'From the sketchbook: Portland"

Join Jody Graham for an intensive two-day workshop designed to master the art of transforming outdoor sketches into mixed media drawings and paintings developed in the studio. Be guided in selecting compelling compositions from a rich variety of subjects, including the industrial heritage architecture of the cement works, historic residential buildings, shopfronts, and natural quarry landscapes.

A dynamic, energetic two days will leave you empowered to make decisions in the studio.

About Jody:

Jody Graham’s practice encompasses drawing, mixed media, sculpture, performance, and installation. Materiality and mark making are at the core of Graham’s multidisciplinary art. She relentlessly explores new materials and investigates contemporary art making and drawing techniques.

Jody has frequent solo exhibitions and is frequently the finalist in major art prizes, winning both the Adelaide Drawing Prize and the Hornsby Sculpture prize 2022. A Portland local, Jody is a key member of the Portland Workshops team

Jody Graham lives and works on Wiradyuri Country and Gadigal Wangal Country

Abstraction,Colour and Energy in Paint - Tonee Messiah

Build confidence in abstract painting methods. Tonee teaches how to read your experiences and translate them into creative abstract responses. Guiding you through the fundamentals of colour mixing, and translation of subject matter into colour as a tool of creative expression. Her considered playful approach will establish confidence to develop way into abstract thinking and making.

About Tonee:

Internationally recognised abstract painter, Tonee Messiah, transfers her energy for life into painting and teaching. She considers painting like another form of thinking, and as her surfaces build, so does her response to the world around her. Holding a Masters of Fine Arts (UNSW), Tonee, represented by galleries in Sydney and Melbourne, we are excited to have her teaching in the Portland Workshops.

Tonee Messiah lives and works on Gadigal-Wangal Country.

A creative conversation around the long table

Joining the workshop participants for lunch and dinner are Harrie Fasher, Ros Auld, Elisabeth Cummings and Gina Bruce who will share their knowledge across the table. A great opportunity to engage with these artists in a relaxed setting.

Harrie and Ros live and work on Wiradjuri country, Elisabeth on Dja Dja Wurrung country, Gina Bruce lives and works on Bidjigal and Gadigal Country.

Jen Herbet-Smith hard at work for our previous Drawing Intensive Workshop with Fran O’Neill

Food and Accommodation details:

Tickets include a scrumptious lunch and morning tea: wraps, salads, slices and soup - A good opportunity to connect and debrief with participants across the various courses.

Saturday night: A delicious Thai banquet with Nok at the Portland Bowlo (see tickets for more details)

All dietary requirements catered for - please specify in our ticket section or contact us directly if you have any life threatening allergies.

Accommodation available in Portland and Wallerawang, prices ranging from camping (for free) to deluxe single rooms and 4 bedroom cabins. Details with ticket confirmation or email us with any concerns.

We can't wait to see you!

Colour, Composition and Play; The Portland Workshops

Choose your tickets

Expressive Drawing: 'En Plein Air' to the Studio - Jody Graham (incl. morning tea and lunch) ticket

Watercolour; A contemporary take - Gina Bruce (incl. morning tea and lunch) ticket

Abstraction,Colour and Energy in Paint - Tonee Messiah (incl. morning tea and lunch) ticket

Eat with us - dinner Saturday night ticket