Arts and Crafts on the Rise

Arts & Crafts on the rise

With many largerscale events on hiatus for the year, intimate art and craft-based workshops have taken centre stage. Read on to uncover some of the best artsy adventures available to you in the Bunbury Geographe region.

By MONIQUE CECCATO

Jenni Doherty Studio

Do as Jenni Doherty does and let the bushland that surrounds her stunning Wellington Mill-based home studio inspire your creativity. Book in for a workshop and have Doherty - best known for her Australian Flora works - guide you as you put brush to canvas. Light lunch and afternoon tea are provided, but don’t forget to bring a bottle of bubbles. Visit jennidoherty.com.au

Maker & Co

There’s no genre of creative class the team at Maker & Co aren’t willing to tackle. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for fun, upcoming events like Watercolours and Wine, pottery and wine night, and a dried flower wreath workshop, all held in their beautiful heritage space on the corner of Victoria St and Symmons St. 75 Victoria St, Bunbury. Visitfacebook. com/weliketomaker or makerand.co, or call 0407 029 422

Collie Art Gallery

The team at the Collie Art Gallery are big believers in making art accessible to all, and it shows in the breadth of the art workshops they offer. They run everything from beginner to advanced workshops, suitable for primary-schoolaged kids to seniors. Book yourself in for an evening of pinot and pastels, or let your kids explore their creativity for an afternoon at the gallery. 134 Throssell St, Collie. Visit facebook. com/collieartgallery or collieartgallery.org. au, or call (08) 9734 2921

Skeggs Art

For those more serious about developing their painting skills, book in for a full term (between nine and 11 weeks) of lessons with Christine Skeggs. Bring a canvas along to her home-based studio and Skeggs will guide you through an art composition she has set, or help you develop your own style. Morning tea and paints are provided. Bunbury. Visit facebook.com/Skeggsart or skeggsart.com.au, or call 0414 710 162

Bunbury Regional Art Gallery (BRAG)

There’s no place more fitting for an art class than at Bunbury’s iconic pink gallery. Before attending one of their many workshops, take some time to wander through the exhibitions and get those creative juices flowing. The classes on offer range from painting and sculpturing to silk screening. There are also regular open art classes for people with disabilities. 64 Wittenoom St, Bunbury. Visit facebook.com/bragwa or brag.org.au, or call (08) 9792 7323

Stirling Street Arts Centre

The Stirling Street Arts Centre has been a learning centre for the community for over 80 years. Today, the revamped state-of-the-art facility plays host to a whole variety of art-based workshops. There’s a regular sewing club, beginners mosaic classes, and plenty of opportunities to get your hands dirty on a pottery wheel. Stirling St, Bunbury. Visit facebook.com/ stirlingstreetartscentre or stirlingstreetarts. com.au, or call (08) 9791 1256

Saint Aidan Wines

Wine and art go hand in hand. That’s why the team at Saint Aidan Wines have added a regular ‘bubbles and brush’ workshop to their event calendar. All you need to bring to the mid-week class is your creativity; everything else - from the cheese platters and wine to all your paints and canvas - is provided for you. 754 Ferguson Rd, Ferguson. Visit facebook.com/saintaidanwines or saintaidan.com.au, or call (08) 9728 3007

Lava Art Gallery

Explore the medium of glass with Lava Art Gallery’s resident glass artist, Brenda Ellen. An experienced instructor, Ellen runs classes for the beginner glass artist through to the experienced. Try your hand making glass coasters at a ‘Sunday Funday’, learn the craft of lead lighting on an introductory course, or extend yourself with an advanced copper foiling course. Private, group, and walk-in classes are all available. Unit 3/15 Bonnefoi Boulevard, Bunbury. Visit lavaartglass.com.au, or call (08) 9721 7213

The Origins Centre

Practising mindfulness doesn’t always have to mean quiet meditation. Mindfulness can also mean involving yourself in calming, creative endeavours - something that Balingup's The Origins Centre actively promotes. They have a variety of art and craft workshops running throughout the year, including an upcoming plant distillation workshop where attendees take home their own fragranced hydrosol. 153-157 Jayes Road, Balingup. Visit facebook.com/Origins-Centre-CoorainBalingup-172852212767547 or originscentre. org, or call (08) 9764 1109.

Harvey River Estate