Children from across the region are invited to participate in the inaugural Kids Arts Workshops at the Whitsunday Arts Festival this weekend, with a wide range of dedicated family-friendly activities offering a full program of events on Sunday from 9.00am to 4.00pm.
A specially allocated marquee will host the workshops with some that you can simply drop-in to attend and some that do require registration on www.whitundaysartsfestival.org.
All the featured events are free for children to enjoy.
These artist-led workshops are the creation of children’s book writer and illustrator Sofia Fortunato and Townsville artist Lisa Ashcroft who was last year’s winner of the inaugural Whitsundays Art Prize.
In addition to the marquee activities, there are a range of other events which children will enjoy over the course of the day.
These interactive activities including African drumming with Festival favourites Baala Baajo at 12:30pm, mandala making with stones on the beach with artist Mary Ann Santin at 9.00am, aboriginal storytelling with Harry Bowen from 9am-4pm, and many opportunities with over 50 stalls at the handmade markets demonstrating pottery throwing and lead light creations among many happenings.
WHAT: Kids Arts Workshops
WHEN: Sunday, September 25
WHERE: Airlie Beach Foreshore, Kids Workshop Tent
Making Sea Creatures
Craft your favourite sea creature from paper clay and felt texters - sea turtles, stingrays, and jelly fish to surfboarders and boats, join Lisa and use paper clay to create your sculpture.
Registration Required - 9am – 10am and 1pm – 2pm
Memorable Illustrated Portrait
In this workshop with Sofia, kids will create a self-portrait using only three colours for the background and a sharpie for the face.
Drop in and create - 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm
The Memory Tree
In this workshop with Sofia, kids will learn to illustrate a tree with a collage paper technique, using scissors, glue, and lots of colourful paper.
Drop in and create - 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm
Abstract Painting: Our Memories
Participate in a group abstract painting with Lisa on a large canvas with the theme ‘memories.’ Use bright fluoro and all sorts of brushes, palette knives, willow sticks, scrunched up bits of paper, drips.
Drop in and paint - 9am – 4pm
