Tributary Session 3: Reciprocity

Tributary Session 3: Reciprocity

with Robin Tregenza & Sarah Muir-Smith

Join Robin and Sarah for a creative afternoon “mapping” encounters along a stretch of the Merri Merri, tributary to Birrarung.  

Together we will connect and converse with the Creek through a process of playful mark-making, collage, stitching and other techniques. Working with locally gathered materials we will create a collective layered artwork to explore ideas of reciprocity and being parts of a greater whole. 

This workshop encourages curiosity, exploration and care, and is for everyone who is interested in reflecting on how we can build a more reciprocal relationship with the world around us.

Together we will explore:

• How can we collectively orient ourselves toward reciprocal relationships with the living world?

• How might materials and creative process highlight the often unnoticed interactions that make up place?

• How does where we are relate to the greater whole and the greater whole feed into where we are?

• All art materials provided

• For this session we will meet at NECCHi East Coburg and walk together to the Merri. As this session will take place outdoors along the creek – please wear suitable shoes that are good for walking over uneven ground, water bottle, snacks, sun/rain protection

• Please get in touch with any access needs

Session facilitators:

Sarah Muir-Smith (she/her) is a Naarm-based craftsperson and facilitator, exploring how local craft can be in service of the living world. She recently completed her masters of Regenerative Design at Central Saint Martins, working with local plants to create habitat augmentation structures for native fauna. Sarah is forever intrigued by the alternative ways of knowing and relating that arise through playful, experimental engagement with materials. snakebirddesigns.com

Robin Tregenza (she/her) is a visual artist and plants person with a creative practice embedded in process and the use of found materials, and inspired by her passion for the landscapes she inhabits.

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This event is an inclusive and intersectional space. Everyone of all ages, backgrounds, sexualities, genders, bodies and abilities is welcome.

Nature-hearted Collective acknowledge Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country where these workshops take place and express our respects to First Nations Elders and to all First Peoples

This workshop is part of:

Tributary for Birrarung Riverfest

a Nature-hearted weekend for Birrarung Riverfest 2026. Click here to see all events

About Birrarung Riverfest

This event is part of the 2026 Birrarung Riverfest. Celebrate the Yarra, Birrarung at one of 70+ events hosted over three weeks from 27 September to 18 October.

Whether you enjoy riverside walks, cleanups, creative workshops, wildlife spotting or paddling adventures, there's something for everyone at Riverfest.

Riverfest is presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association with thanks to our partners Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo collaboration and Water4Good. Check out the full Riverfest program here.