Regeneration brings free, relaxing creative workshops to Australian bushfire affected communities along with health support. The project also aims to develop a model of creative arts for wellbeing in disaster affected communities. Its initial pilots are funded with donations raised by Magda Szubanski and Will Connolly during the 2020 bushfire season.

These workshops and materials are free to residents of Snowy Valleys. Select a workshop you'd like to participate in. If for any reason you can't attend, let jordan.williams@canberra.edu.au know and cancel your ticket.

TUMUT WORKSHOPS:
All workshops at Tumut Art Society Gallery, the Fiveways, Tumut

Monday March 1
9:30am-12:30pm (Adult)
Bind Yourself: Paper-play
Caren Florance
A workshop where you get to explore book-like structures or sculptural artist books. It’s a little bit like origami, a little bit like scrapbooking, and a lot of relaxing no-pressure play. Work with blank paper or bring along old drawings and prints if you’ve got a stash. There will be drawing materials, sewing materials, and as much help with imagination-jogging as you need. Fine for complete beginners.

Wednesday March 3
9:30am-12:30pm (Adult)
Mindful Fabric Landscape
Mariana del Castillo
This workshop offers an opportunity to respond to the patterns of nature in eco dyed and remnant fabrics provided. The process of fabric layering will dictate your direction, allowing some exploration and response to your landscape with some similarity to collage. Participants will learn how to slow stitch on fabric. (Bring your own cup for provided tea and coffee).

Friday March 5
9:30am-12:30pm (Adult)
Lino cut and collage
Alex Asch
This simple printmaking technique utilizes drawing and basic carving techniques and can be easily replicated in the home. The image is enhanced by printing on a variety of recycled maps, historic images and unique papers. (Bring your own cup for provided tea and coffee).

Friday March 5
4-6pm (Early teens+)
Bind Yourself: Paper Play
Caren Florance
A workshop where you get to explore book-like structures or sculptural artist books. It’s a little bit like origami, a little bit like scrapbooking, and a lot of relaxing no-pressure play. Work with blank paper or bring along old drawings and prints if you’ve got a stash. There will be drawing materials, sewing materials, and as much help with imagination-jogging as you need. Fine for complete beginners.

BATLOW WORKSHOPS:
All workshops at CWA Hall unless otherwise noted

Monday March 1
4:00pm-6:30pm (Adult/early teens+)
Break a Book for Art: Altered Books
Caren Florance
This workshop transforms book into artworks! We’re going to look at all sorts of techniques as options for a book makeover: folding, cutting, poking, gluing, colouring, drawing, painting, writing... and more. We’ve got old books to choose from or you can bring something of your own to play with – just check first to make sure that it’s not valuable... Fine for complete beginners.

Monday March 1
6pm-9pm, The Literary Institute, Batlow:
Magda Szubanski on writing about trauma
You're invited to listen to Magda's reflections on writing her prize winning autobiography, Reckoning: A Memoir. Magda will take your questions before joining you for a glass of local wine.

Tuesday March 2
4pm-7pm (Adults and children over 8)
Ceramic Seed Pod
Mariana del Castillo
Participants will learn basic pinch pot techniques and create ceramic seed pods inspired by the boundless diversity of nature. You will design and create a sculptural hollow form depicting an organic pod from your imagination. (light refreshments provided)

Wednesday March 3
2pm-5pm (Adult)
Bind Yourself: Paper-play
Caren Florance
A workshop where you get to explore book-like structures or sculptural artist books. It’s a little bit like origami, a little bit like scrapbooking, and a lot of relaxing no-pressure play. Work with blank paper or bring along old drawings and prints if you’ve got a stash. There will be drawing materials, sewing materials, and as much help with imagination-jogging as you need. Fine for complete beginners.

Thursday March 4
9:30am-12:30pm (Adult)
Paul Klee inspired puppets: reinventing the ordinary.
Mariana del Castillo
Amongst some of the materials he used were old bones, paper, fabrics from old clothes to make the puppets costumes etc. In this workshop you will make your own decision on the character and explore whimsical mixed media constructions. It’s important to take a moment to be more playful and channel your own cathartic childhood memories of iconic archetypes and superheroes (Bring your own cup for provided tea and coffee).

Friday March 5
3:30pm-5:30pm (Children 8+)
Hand Painted Animal Pendant.
Mariana del Castillo
Enjoy nature inside by bringing the outside in. Using a round slice of wood as your canvas participants will create miniature pendants inspired by Australian animals. Snacks provided.

Saturday March 6
10am-12pm (Kids 8+/Teens)
Game on! Paper Boss Battles and much much more...
Caren Florance
Come and make zines about your favourite past-time, whether that’s gaming, music, social media, fashion, or even twitching (google it). Zines are lo-fi booklets with copies made using photocopiers, and there’s no wrong way to make one, promise. Bring your passion to the table and get messy with it, then share your zines with the world (or just your friends). Fine for complete beginners.

Saturday March 6
BATLOW SHOWGROUND SKATE PARK
12:30-3:30pm (Ages 16+)
Spray/Skate: Street Art Essentials
Byrd
Try your hand at street art spraying with Canberra legend BYRD. All materials & lunch provided, as well as safety equipment. No experience needed.

TUMBARUMBA WORKSHOPS

Tuesday March 2
4pm-7pm (Adults/teens)
Self-publishing for Starters: Zine-making
Caren Florance
Empower yourself with kitchen-table publishing in the form of zines, which are creative lo-fi publications printed in multiples with a photocopier. We’ll work in a range of media like typewriter, collage and rubberstamp and you’ll learn technical tips about page imposition and photocopier-fu. No experience is needed, but this is also a great workshop for people who write or draw or want to share stories with friends and family. Fine for complete beginners.

Wednesday March 3
9:30am-12:30pm (Adult)
Break a Book for Art: Altered Books
Caren Florance
This workshop transforms book into artworks! We’re going to look at all sorts of techniques as options for a book makeover: folding, cutting, poking, gluing, colouring, drawing, painting, writing... and more. We’ve got old books to choose from or you can bring something of your own to play with – just check first to make sure that it’s not valuable... Fine for complete beginners.

Wednesday March 3
4pm-7pm (Adult workshop)
Bound paper book with natural inks
Alex Asch
Participants will create a visual narrative weaving together a variety of materials. You will make and use natural inks from black walnut, cochineal, turmeric, red cabbage etc.
Participants can create earthy tones that are ideal for capturing the essence of the landscape in their artwork. The final images will be compiled in a wooden bound booklet. (Light refreshments provided)

Thursday March 4
4pm-7pm Adult workshop
Hand made art tools/linen swag
Alex Asch
Participants will learn how to make their own unique bamboo and reed pens, paintbrushes and mark-making tools out of non-traditional and traditional materials. The second half of the workshop will centre around making a linen swag to house your handmade creations. (Light refreshments provided)

Friday March 5
11am-2pm (Adults)
A Piece of Me: Book play
Caren Florance
Lose yourself, or maybe find yourself, in a couple of hours of humorous self-expression via collage, drawing and a spin of the workshop text generator. Once you’ve made your pages, you’ll learn how to sew them together as a simple booklet with an attractive wrap cover. You’ll never want to buy a notebook ever again. Fine for complete beginners.

Saturday March 6
10am-12pm (Kids 8+)
Soft Sculpture Linen Owl
Mariana del Castillo
Rich with mysterious histories the owl will be the focus of this workshop. Young creatives will construct and paint their own unique soft sculpture owls. These cuddly creatures are a real hoot to create!

Saturday March 6
2-4:30pm (Adults/Kids 8+)
Break a Book for Art: Altered Books
Caren Florance
This workshop transforms book into artworks! We’re going to look at all sorts of techniques as options for a book makeover: folding, cutting, poking, gluing, colouring, drawing, painting, writing.... and more. We’ve got old books to choose from or you can bring something of your own to play with – just check first to make sure that it’s not valuable... Fine for complete beginners.

ADELONG WORKSHOP

Saturday March 6
2pm-5pm (Families)
Wooden Bush Lizards
Alex Asch
Young Families will release their creativity on the much-loved lizard. In a land harsh on its wildlife they cruise timidly with their quick reflexes dashing for cover. Let’s value the lizard and set it down to soak the sun’s rays. Everyone will be given wooden lizards to embellish using paints and pigments