This winter, You Are Here is hosting a series of cozy creative workshops at our new HQ: 131 City Walk, Canberra City. Come learn something new, meet some lovely people, and make something to cherish.

Each workshop series runs over 3 weeks, giving you time to settle in, build your skills, and develop your work week by week. All materials are provided, and our experienced facilitators are friendly, supportive, and excited to share their practice with you.

These workshops are designed to be welcoming, relaxed, and low-pressure — perfect for absolute beginners as well as people looking to connect with their creativity or try something different this winter.

Our space is alcohol-free, open to people aged 16+, and focused on creating a comfortable and inclusive environment where you can experiment, make mistakes, and enjoy the process.

PLUS! participants will have the opportunity to share their work at our Open Day on Saturday 1 August if they’d like to.

MONSHTER MAKING

Monshter Making is a cozy 3-part plushie workshop series where participants can make their own weird, cute, sentimental, or slightly cursed plush toy from scratch. We’ll spend a few winter evenings choosing colours, painting faces, sewing tiny creatures together, and slowly bringing them to life in a relaxed and welcoming space.Monshter Making is a cosy 3-part beginner-friendly toy design workshop where participants will create their own weird, cute, sentimental, or slightly cursed plush toy from scratch.

Over three winter evenings we'll slowly bring our tiny creatures to life together. Week 1 focuses on sewing and building the plush body, Week 2 is all about painting faces and adding personality, and Week 3 covers final assembly, accessories, clothing, and finishing touches. At the end of the series, participants will be able to photograph their creations in a cute toy photography setup.

No prior sewing, painting, or toy-making experience is needed. The workshop is designed specifically for beginners, with guidance from both the instructor and a written guide that participants can take home.

All materials are provided. Participants will receive a take-home kit containing :

- your project pouch

- washi tape

- mechanical pencil

- sewing needles

- scissors

- pin cushion

- sewing pattern stencils

- paint palette

- and paint cups.

There's plenty of materials to play around with including felt fabrics, embroidery floss, acrylic paints, brushes, paint pens, and markers. Participants are welcome to bring their own fabrics, embellishments, stickers, or paints if they would like to personalise their even creature further!

Alexis Malflores is a Canberran toy artist who breathes whimsy into everyday life. Her previous works, shown at Craft + Design Canberra, transformed complex topics like gambling into playful miniature dioramas filled with colour and charm. She loves crafting, storytelling, and community, which she weaves together through creative events focused on making art feel approachable, social, and welcoming for everyone.

This is series of workshops where participants will progressively create their Monshter over three weeks.

Workshop 1 - Thursday 25 June

Workshop 2 - Thursday 2 July

Workshop 3 - Thursday 9 July

All workshops run from 6:30pm-8:30pm. The YAH Studios & Workshop will be open from 6:00pm if you'd like to arrive early to settle in.

Tickets

There are three ticketing tiers available. The total price includes all 3 workshops. You can choose whichever ticket tier works for your budget. The "Under 30" price is just for people under 30 years of age.

General $80 p/workshop ($240 total + bf, gst)

Cheaper $60 p/workshop ($180 total + bf, gst)

Under 30 $30 p/workshop ($90 total + bf, gst)

Name your price option also available: name an amount that suits your budget, starting at $0

Profits from workshops contribute to creating affordable space in the city for artists, and You Are Here's artist development programs. Thank you for supporting the arts!!

If you’d like to check whether this workshop is right for you, or discuss accessibility requirements, email us at producers@youareherecanberra.com.au — we’re happy to chat.

Contact the host of Monshter Plushie Toy Making - Workshops with Alexis Malflores