Yarra Valley provides an abundance of art classes and workshops. These events provide an ideal way to tap into your inner creativity while expanding artistic capabilities while building connections within the local community.
Clare James quietly follows her own artistic vision from her home studio and welcomed Fibre Arts Take Two into it.
Making Paint & Ink OR Making Things With What You Find
Visit Victoria’s Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges for an unforgettable journey filled with indulgent experiences and an intimate connection to Australian nature. Be blown away by awe-inspiring waterfalls, cascading vineyards and charming townships; sample regional flavours in restaurants, wineries, distilleries and breweries; or explore charming art scenes and galleries throughout Victoria.
Find an exquisite collection of handcrafted and artisan cheeses at the Yarra Valley Dairy Cheese Shop, where thousands of visitors come each year to sample its delectable offerings. Or visit Healesville Sanctuary for guided tours spotting koalas, kangaroos, birds and reptiles!
At Yarra Valley Open Studios each summer, artists open up their studio doors to visitors, providing you with a chance to meet them and witness their creative processes first hand. Expect everything from wire work and resin jewellery created by skilled artisans; to paintings, prints and photography. Due to its immense popularity each year, paddocks are used for parking; in some years cars even become bogged!
Join local Healesville artist Clare James for her Making Paint and Ink workshop that encourages children to observe their natural environment and express them creatively through painting. Or join Nikki Carter at one of her fun paint and sip workshops including food and drinks – her students love learning step-by-step with help from tutors before seeing their artwork come to life!
End of spring or early summer is an ideal time to visit Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges when temperatures are more bearable and the landscape is in full bloom. Take in its magical charm of cascading vineyards, towering forests, charming townships, exceptional cool-climate wines and gourmet produce while tasting incredible cool-climate wines and produce.
YAVA Gallery & Arts Hub, situated at the heart of Healesville, offers an innovative creative space that promotes arts, excellence, and inspiration. At this center, they offer classes for both kids and adults that focus on building resilience and well-being through celebrating creativity and fostering social connections and empathy for those feeling distant and isolated. Drawing, ceramics, glass blowing and painting classes are offered under the tutelage of an experienced tutor. Furthermore, there is even a specialised studio for creating photorealistic portraits for clients. Signing up for classes online, dropping in with friends or booking private sessions with their qualified teachers are all options available to you at this centre. Refunds may be requested if they cancel within 48 hours of class starting – an admin fee of AU$5 applies; alternatively you may send someone in your place by notifying the centre prior to start time.
Outdoor Drawing Workshops
Experience the outdoors through an outdoor workshop! These sessions, led by experienced artist educators and designed to be accessible for all ages, cover a range of drawing techniques such as sketching En Plein Air (from life) around Lilydale Lake with ink, watercolour or pencils. Your creation may even be submitted as artwork to TarraWarra Museum of Art’s current exhibition Boerenzij I The Rural Side by Dutch artist Wapke Feenstra that’s currently showing.
Robyn Henchel provides an immersive landscape experience while teaching you to sketch a variety of flora from its surroundings using watercolour and pencil, along with chalk and oil pastel. Sessions are suitable for all skill levels and make learning to sketch an enjoyable way to spend the day!
Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are home to an abundance of artists working across a wide array of media. Many open their studio doors for Open Studios each year, giving viewers a glimpse into how these masterminds create their masterpieces.
Experience first-hand what inspires their creations by meeting local artists. Be sure to consult one of the region’s award-winning field guides: Making Paint and Ink OR Making Things With What You Find before embarking on your three-dimensional or inky adventure.
Yarra Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region, lies just an hour’s drive from Melbourne. Enjoy bubbly at sustainable De Bortoli or sample estate-grown varietals at cellar doors surrounded by vines. Or cozy up on vineyard lawns for outdoor musical presentations! To experience it at its best, end of spring/early summer is usually best, when the climate is dryer.
Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges offer an abundance of art exhibitions, classes, workshops and masterclasses throughout the year. Ranging from children’s summer arts camps to adult painting classes – there is something of interest for everyone here – some free while some cost money. For those wishing to expand their artistic horizons further there’s always the Creative Yarra Ranges program which runs year-round to support local creatives in their development as artists by hosting workshops, events, exhibitions as well as artist talks and masterclasses held throughout six multipurpose community arts centres – for more details please click here
A Healing Journey Through Painting & Meditation
Diamond Light Healing Centre of Warburton stands out as an oasis for healing through art and meditation in Warburton’s lush Yarra Valley, dedicated to supporting people to connect with their hearts and divine feminine qualities through art. Jennie created this cozy spiritual retreat out of love and passion; each element on its property – such as its abundant flowers, nurturing healing rooms and great artworks – speak of this.
She offers various healing workshops and retreats throughout the year, such as creative expression, ayurveda workshops, guided meditations with art and basic painting techniques workshops. At these events, participants learn basic painting techniques before creating artwork in their desired style before using meditation with art to open themselves to deeper insights of what lies beyond mere images – something which can aid greatly with their healing journey.
Kapi Art Space provides another workshop and retreat option, serving as both a gallery and teaching studio dedicated to supportive arts-based activities and community engagement. Founded by photorealist painter Heather Bradbury who leads workshops in oil painting, sketching and drawing. Heather also shares her creative inspirations through mentoring others in their journey of creativity.
The Yarra Glen Children’s Choir offers another great option for developing vocal skills in an encouraging, welcoming environment. Joining is an effective way of building confidence, self-esteem and social connections through music – whether you are new to singing or have been doing it for some time, this experience offers fun and rewarding singing opportunities while making an impactful difference to local communities.
Yarra Valley is famous for its wine, so naturally the area offers some incredible vineyards to experience the region’s delights. One such vineyard is Yarra Yering which was first established by Dr Bailey Carrodus back in 1969 and does not use irrigation – they believe the soil creates their wine! Visiting Yarra Valley offers you this fascinating opportunity!
The Yarra Valley Art and Soul Retreat is an immersive three-day experience designed to reconnect you with yourself, strengthen your sense of inner beauty, and remind you what an incredible ride life can be! Accommodation options may include the Yarra Valley Hotel, Spa or private room at your choice of accommodation; gourmet lunch and dinner; an art class taught by Heather; yoga; guided reiki healing meditation with Michelle; creative journalling workshop as well as art class with Heather! Its goal is to help re-connect you with yourself; discover inner strength & beauty within; reconnecting you with yourself while reminding us all how incredible life truly feels! This retreat promises just that; hope awaits!