Wooditchup Bilya Wongi – Margaret River Talking Land Art Trail

Experience the Wooditchup Bilya Wongi – Margaret River Talking Land Art Trail, an immersive community art trail along the Margaret River guided by Wardandi cultural custodians Nan Vivian Brockman Webb and Mitchella Hutchins, and Land Artist Elaine Clocherty. A relative short loop of the River Trail starting and finishing at the Old Settlement will be transformed by ephemeral artworks created by local, internationally acclaimed artists, school groups, and the community, celebrating the cultural, ecological, and spiritual significance of Wooditchup Bilya.

This free, family-friendly event invites the community to join Nan and Mitchella and Elaine from 10am to help create a Land artwork (just down from the settlement). Local environmental stalls will open from 1pm, and the event will officially be launched by a Welcome to Country and cultural yarn with Nan Viv and Mitchella at 2pm, followed by short talks from 3pm exploring river ecology, stewardship, and community action.

Wardandi Elders guide the project, sharing cultural knowledge that recognises Wooditchup Bilya as a living entity central to community wellbeing, identity, and connection to Country.

Artists

The trail features:

• Vivian Brockman Webb & Mitchella Hutchins — Wardandi artists and cultural leaders sharing knowledge, storytelling, and collaborative artworks grounded in cultural practice.

• Elaine Clocherty — internationally recognised land artist with 25+ years of site-responsive practice across Europe and Australia, known for ephemeral installations using natural materials which tell stories of Place and connection.

• Cynamon Aeria — community weaver leading participatory weaving installations that reflect river systems and shared care for place.

• Kyllie Deltondo & Mick Hart — experienced land artists creating works exploring place, texture, and environmental connection.

Artists will begin creating works throughout the month leading up to the launch. Visitors are encouraged to observe respectfully or join in where invited, recognising the temporary and culturally informed nature of the artworks.

Four community art workshops will also be held the weekend prior on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March - a chance to learn crafts from amazing artists and traditional custodians. Check them out here: https://events.humanitix.com/wooditjup-bilya-community-art-workshops

Event Program

• 10am Community artwork making along the trail

• 1pm Stalls open & trail open for self-guided exploration

• 2pm Welcome to Country and cultural yarn with Nan Vivian Brockman Webb and Mitchella Hutchins

• 2:30 Artist Talks

• 3pm Short talks featuring river ecology and stewardship speakers

Parking

Please note, there is very limited parking near the Old Settlement - if you are able, please cycle or park in town and walk the 5-mins to join us.

We will be providing extra bike racks (thanks to Margaret River Primary) for those who would like to cycle down!

River Stewardship & Trail Etiquette

As this is a culturally and environmentally sensitive place, visitors are asked to:

• Walk respectfully and follow signage

• Keep dogs on leads

• Avoid touching artworks unless invited

• Stay on the path to protect vegetation and wildlife

• Engage with curiosity, care, and respect for cultural knowledge shared

This event is free, you do not require a ticket, however you may wish to register to receive reminders.

The Wooditchup Bilya Wongi – Margaret River Talking Land Art Trail is a collaborative project bringing together Wardandi Artists and custodians Nan Vivian Brockman Webb and Mitchella Hutchins, Artists Elaine Clocherty, Cynamon Aeria, Kyllie Deltondo and Mick Hart, and Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, alongside local schools and community participants.

The project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Festivals Australia program, with additional support through the Protect Wooditjup Bilya project — a four-year initiative supporting research, conservation, cultural knowledge sharing, and community stewardship of the river - supported by the Ian Potter Foundation, the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, the Water Corporation, and generous local donors.