TAFE NSW at LAVA Festival
Description
To celebrate LAVA Festival and creativity in Northern NSW, TAFE Murwillumbah and Kingscliff staff and students are hosting a series creative experiences, including exhibitions, film screenings and FREE, short, hands‑on art making workshops.
Exhibitions and Film Screenings are free, times and locations are listed below.
The FREE 45–90 minute TAFE Discovery Workshops run by TAFE teachers are designed to inspire curiosity, spark creativity, and give you a taste of learning art skills with experienced TAFE teachers — no pressure, no experience required. Open to all skill levels, Materials supplied (unless noted)
Bookings essential for all workshops — please book ahead.
Can’t make it? Cancel your booking so someone else can enjoy the workshop.
LAVA FESTIVAL: https://www.lava-arts.com.au/
Image Credit: Artwork by Tim Fry. Insta: Timm_Fry
Lineup
TAFE NSW | Diploma of Visual Arts Mid-Year Exhibition | Friday 26th | 10 am - 2 pm
Discover the TAFE NSW Diploma of Visual Art Mid-Year Exhibition, showcasing diverse works by students midway through their studies. Featuring painting, drawing, and sculpture, this exhibition highlights emerging talent and creative exploration. No Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: Photographer Danika Cottrel Student Exhibition
Spatial Drawing | Friday 26 June | 10 am - 11 am | Teacher: Hobie Porter
Spatial Drawing. 1 hour | Instructor Hobie Porter | All materials provided Spatial drawing helps with observation and transcription skills. It breaks down the tendency for beginners to draw what they think they see so that they can open up a space to better recognise and record what they actually see. It helps with proportion, relational observation, understanding the importance of negative shapes and circumvents generalisations in your drawing practice. Spend one hour with Hobie Porter practicing spatial drawing and you will become a draughtsperson with greater awareness and ability. Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: Artist Hobie Porter - Introduced habitats for native flora : Doryanthes palmerii 2, 2023 (detail)
Campus Screenings Screen and Media Short Films | Friday 26 June | 12 pm - 4 pm
Screenings Screen and Media Short Films Friday 12-4pm Saturday 1-3:30pm Sunday 10:30-1:30pm Catch a selection of short films from TAFE NSW Screen and Media students from the past few years. No Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: Student film, Stuck in a Dream, Writer/Dir: Aubin Spurr.
M|Arts Ceramics/Photo Exhibition | Friday 26 June | 4 pm -8 pm
Experience the graduating exhibition of Diploma of Ceramics and Certificate IV Photography & Photo Imaging students from TAFE NSW. Showcasing curated works from Murwillumbah ceramics and Kingscliff photography cohorts, this exhibition celebrates technical skill and creative vision. ARTISTS: Francis Alice Bruce, Sibyll Robb, Soledad Catel, Sapodia Lindley, Lisa Crawford, Kayla Finlayson, Melissa Farrow, Mamiko Ouchi and Elizabeth Brand No Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Art Studios, M|Arts Precinct: 1 Brisbane Street, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 WHEN: Official opening Friday 26th, 6—8pm | Saturday 27th — Sunday 28th 10am-4pm Photo Credit: Left: Melissa Farrow, Inspired Series, digital Image | Right: Kayla Finlayson, Guardian (detail), Hand-built white raku, terra sig, mid and low fire glazes. *Surface, 2026 finalist.
TAFE NSW | Diploma of Visual Arts Mid-Year Exhibition | Saturday 27 June | 10 am - 2 pm
Discover the TAFE NSW Diploma of Visual Art Mid-Year Exhibition, showcasing diverse works by students midway through their studies. Featuring painting, drawing, and sculpture, this exhibition highlights emerging talent and creative exploration. No Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: Photographer Danika Cottrel Student Exhibition
M|Arts Ceramics/Photo Exhibition | Saturday 27 June | 10 am - 4 pm
Experience the graduating exhibition of Diploma of Ceramics and Certificate IV Photography & Photo Imaging students from TAFE NSW. Showcasing curated works from Murwillumbah ceramics and Kingscliff photography cohorts, this exhibition celebrates technical skill and creative vision. ARTISTS: Francis Alice Bruce, Sibyll Robb, Soledad Catel, Sapodia Lindley, Lisa Crawford, Kayla Finlayson, Melissa Farrow, Mamiko Ouchi and Elizabeth Brand No Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Art Studios, M|Arts Precinct: 1 Brisbane Street, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 WHEN: Official opening Friday 26th, 6—8pm | Saturday 27th — Sunday 28th 10am-4pm Photo Credit: Left: Melissa Farrow, Inspired Series, digital Image | Right: Kayla Finlayson, Guardian (detail), Hand-built white raku, terra sig, mid and low fire glazes. *Surface, 2026 finalist.
Portrait Drawing: Structure to Semi‑Abstract | Saturday 27 June | 10:30 am - 11:30 am | Teacher: My Le Thi
Portrait Drawing: Structure to Semi‑Abstract | 1 hour | Teacher: Instructor My Le Thi | All materials provided Curious about drawing faces - or ready to push your style further? In this 1-hour workshop, you’ll explore three stages: building a face from the ground up, stepping out of your comfort zone, and transforming your work into something expressive and uniquely your own. Expect playful exercises, continuous line work, bold mark-making and tonal exploration in a relaxed, supportive space. Open to all skill levels - no experience needed, just curiosity. You’ll leave with a fresh way of seeing (and drawing) faces. Ticket required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: The head of Leda c.1504_6 Leonardo da Vinci
Spatial Drawing | Saturday 27 June | 1 pm - 2 pm | Instructor: Hobie Porter
Spatial Drawing. 1 hour | Instructor: Hobie Porter | All materials provided Spatial drawing helps with observation and transcription skills. It breaks down the tendency for beginners to draw what they think they see so that they can open up a space to better recognise and record what they actually see. It helps with proportion, relational observation, understanding the importance of negative shapes and circumvents generalisations in your drawing practice. Spend one hour with Hobie Porter practicing spatial drawing and you will become a draughtsperson with greater awareness and ability. Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: Artist Hobie Porter, Introduced habitats for native flora : Doryanthes palmerii 2, 2023 (detail)
Campus Screenings Screen and Media Short Films | Saturday 1 pm - 3:30pm
Screenings Screen and Media Short Films Friday 12-4pm Saturday 1-3:30pm Sunday 10:30-1:30pm Catch a selection of short films from TAFE NSW Screen and Media students from the past few years. No Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: Student film, Stuck in a Dream, Writer/Dir: Aubin Spurr.
Tetrapak Printmaking Workshop | Saturday June 27 | 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Instructor Kevin Morgan Jones and Rae Saheli
Join our hands-on Tetrapak printmaking workshop and discover how to transform everyday recycled packaging into beautiful etchings. In just a couple of hours you’ll create and pull several unique prints to take home with you. Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484
TAFE NSW | Diploma of Visual Arts Mid-Year Exhibition | Sunday 28th | 10 am - 2 pm
Discover the TAFE NSW Diploma of Visual Art Mid-Year Exhibition, showcasing diverse works by students midway through their studies. Featuring painting, drawing, and sculpture, this exhibition highlights emerging talent and creative exploration. No Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: Photographer Danika Cottrel Student Exhibition
M|Arts Ceramics/Photo Exhibition | Sunday 28 June | 10 am - 4 pm
Experience the graduating exhibition of Diploma of Ceramics and Certificate IV Photography & Photo Imaging students from TAFE NSW. Showcasing curated works from Murwillumbah ceramics and Kingscliff photography cohorts, this exhibition celebrates technical skill and creative vision. ARTISTS: Francis Alice Bruce, Sibyll Robb, Soledad Catel, Sapodia Lindley, Lisa Crawford, Kayla Finlayson, Melissa Farrow, Mamiko Ouchi and Elizabeth Brand No Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Art Studios, M|Arts Precinct: 1 Brisbane Street, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 WHEN: Official opening Friday 26th, 6—8pm | Saturday 27th — Sunday 28th 10am-4pm Photo Credit: Left: Melissa Farrow, Inspired Series, digital Image | Right: Kayla Finlayson, Guardian (detail), Hand-built white raku, terra sig, mid and low fire glazes. *Surface, 2026 finalist.
Make a Sketchbook with stab binding | Sunday 28 June | 10 am - 11:30 am| Teacher: Dave Hickson
Make a Sketchbook with stab binding technique. 90 minutes | Teacher: Dave Hickson | All materials provided Learn to make a book from scratch using an ancient bookbinding technique. The stab binding technique originated in China before spreading to Japan and Korea. You will tear drawing paper to make deckle edges, learn to measure, score, make the holes and stitch the pages together using the traditional technique. You will take home a handmade sketchbook to fill with drawings. Ticket Required. LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image credit: Stab binding technique, image supplied by Dave Hickson.
Campus Screenings Screen and Media Short Films | Sunday 28 June | 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Screenings Screen and Media Short Films Friday 12-4pm Saturday 1-3:30pm Sunday 10:30-1:30pm Catch a selection of short films from TAFE NSW Screen and Media students from the past few years. No Ticket Required LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus | Visual Arts Foyer, Level B, (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: Student film, Stuck in a Dream, Writer/Dir: Aubin Spurr.
Clay Adventure: Make Your Own Plate | Sunday 28 June | 12 pm - 1:30 pm | Teachers Tim Fry + Phaedra Davy
Clay Adventure: Make Your Own Plate. 2 hours | Teachers Tim Fry + Phaedra Davy | All materials provided. Get your hands dirty. Join ceramic legends Tim Fry + Phaedra Davy from TAFE Murwillumbah for a fun, creative clay session—perfect for total beginners through to seasoned makers. What’s the vibe: Learn how to shape your own slab plate on the wheel, then dive into decorating—think layered slips, underglazes, and ceramic transfers. Play, experiment, and leave with something uniquely yours. Good to know: Spots are limited (just 15 people) and it’s free—so don’t sleep on it. Hit the ticket link and lock in your place. Works will be fired and ready to collect 3 weeks after the work shop. Ticket Required: LOCATION: TAFE NSW Murwillumbah Campus (Entry via Proudfoots Lane Carpark) Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Image Credit: Artwork by Tim Fry Insta Timm_Fry
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