Central Craft values the important role of artistic expression in contributing to the wellbeing of individuals and the broader community. We seek to inspire others and our talented and inspiring tutors facilitate opportunities for people to practice and broaden their artistic skills and creativity.
At Central Craft, we encourage innovation in the use of materials and techniques and support experimentation, exploration and invention. Our workshop program aims to teach participants skills and techniques to allow them to continue on their own projects after the workshop is complete.
We provide a space that allows people to design, play, test, make, try, sample, build, develop, share, grow and enrich in their pursuit of excellence in art, craft and design.
While we make every effort to ensure scheduled workshops go ahead, workshops may be subject to change depending on enrolment numbers and tutor availability.
Workshops that do not attract the minimum enrolment by 5 working days prior to commencement of the workshop may be cancelled.
In this case, where possible, enrolments may be transferred to another workshop (differences in fees will need to be paid), or refunded.
For workshop enrolment forms contact the Office, collect a form from the Retail Outlet or from here
Central Craft's Workshop Program for 2013
' Craft Connections School Holiday Workshops'
Series of craft workshops in January for 12 - 16 year olds funded by Office of Youth Affairs
Enrolments essential to secure your place at these FREE workshops
17 January
Craft Connections - 'Blocked Out- Fabric Printing with Pizzazz!'
Tutor: Textile Artist Philomena Hali
Participants will design a ‘felt’ printing block for repeat printing. Objects from nature as well as toys, rocks, sticks, paper, bubble wrap, string and much more, will be used to create unique designs on fabric or a T-shirt
10.00am —12.30pm Central Craft Studio
Cost: FREE
Ages: 12 - 16 years
More info here
22 January
Craft Connections - 'Beginners Watercolour Painting'
Tutor: Local Artist Jude Mapleson
Learn the basic techniques of watercolour painting to create your own inspiring piece of artwork!
10.00am —12.30pm Central Craft Studio
Cost: FREE
Ages: 12 - 16 years
More info here
24 January
Craft Connections - 'Making Paper Lanterns
Tutor: Local Sculptor Brigida Stewart
Using papers, glue, tape and bamboo, participants will learn and use creative design and construction skills to make a three-dimensional lantern for use in the home or garden.
10.00am —12.30pm Central Craft Studio
Cost: FREE
Ages: 12 - 16 years
More info here
Celebrating 2013 International Women's Day
8 - 10 March 2013
' Strong Women in Craft Forum and Workshops'
To coincide with International Women’s Day as a way to showcase the important contribution that craftswomen make to their community. Workshops and a forum to celebrate the strength of women and their contribution to craft - through artistic expression women maintain and convey rich stories of their respective cultures and lives.
Friday 8th March 12 noon - 3pm
Basket Weaving with Philomena Hali
Using natural bush materials, learn traditional basketry techniques and create a beautiful woven form. Basket weaving is a wonderful skill that can be practised in the studio or by the roadside, with whatever materials are to hand.
Workshop materials provided. Feel free to bring your own, non-toxic materials for use.
Cost: $40.00 Members / $50.00 Non-members
Materials Fee: $10.00 (payable to the tutor on the day)Bookings essential
Saturday 9th March 10.00am - 11.00am
Philomena Hali & 2012 The Korea Bojagi Forum
In 2012, Philomena Hali attended the Korea Bojagi Forum. Bojagi is the traditional Korean craft of making wrapping cloths, dating from the 15th century. The unique characteristics of this art-form now inspire contemporary artists the world over. Come and hear Phil speak about Bojagi. Morning tea will follow.
Free event
Saturday 9th March 12noon - 4:30pm
Bojagi Workshop with Philomena Hali
Bojagi is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth, which was handed down through generations (for weddings, gifts, food), constructed from tiny scraps of silk and ramie, with the finished work often looking like patchwork (ChoGakBo). However the construction of Bojagi is different from patchwork: the seams used in this tech-nique are finished on both sides and therefore the work can be reversible. This renders the work suitable for 3D art-forms with the use of opaque and translucent fabrics for extra surface & visual interest.
Participants will be taught traditional Bojagi seams using hand stitching, including Whip-Stitched (GamChimGil), Flat fillet (SsamSol), French Seam (TongSol) and triple-Stitched (Kekki). Various traditional Bojagi embellishments will be demonstrated.
Cost:$70.00 Members / $90.00 Non-members
Contact Central Craft for a required materials list.
Bookings essential
Sunday 10th March 1.00pm - 3:30pm
Dyeing to Knit Your Beaded Bead with Barbara McIlvain
Are you ‘dyeing’ to knit a beaded bead? Relief is here.
Barbara McIlvain will take you through wool painting, casting on and casting off with beads, mattress stitching and sliding knots on leather cord, culminating in a beautiful, colourful beaded deco-ration on your wrist. Basic knitting skills required to attend this workshop.
Cost: $35.00 Members / $45.00 Non-members
Materials Cost: $7.00. Kit to include: wool to dye, wool to knit beads, leather cord, beads. Payable to tutor on the day.
Materials provided for use during class: Knitting needles, bead needles, tapestry needles & scissors.
Bookings essential
Sunday 10th March 1.00pm - 3:30pm
Twisted Wire Jewellery with Caroline Searle
Let’s twist again...
Combining beads and wire, twist into life stunning, truly unique pieces of jewellery.
Workshop materials provided. Feel free to bring your own beads for use.
Cost: $35.00 Members / $45.00 Non-members
Materials Fee: $12.00 (payable to the tutor on the day)
Bookings essential
For more information on 'Strong Women in Craft' here
Upcoming Workshops in April
Thursday April 4th, 11th and 18th and May 2nd, 9th and 16th May 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Introduction to Patternmaking with Jen Standish-White
Over this six week course participants will learn how to take measurements from the body to draft basic bodice, skirt, trouser and sleeve blocks and how to modify patterns for a range of styles whilst applying basic pattern making principles.
No previous patternmaking experience is required.
Cost: $200.00 Members / $250.00 Non-members
Bookings essential to secure a place
For more information on the Introduction to Patternmaking Workshops
please click here
For course outline and materials requirements please click here
In conjunction with Carole Driver's 'Phytomorphs' exhibition at the Araluen Arts Centre which opens 6.00pm Friday 5 April 2013
Saturday April 6th 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Patterns in Nature
A experimental and exploratory drawing workshop with Carole Driver to look at the geometry of plant form. Using line drawing to explore the fascinating structure of native Australian plants and consider scale to understand how these patterns of nature can be used as starting points in art, craft, design and architectural projects.
This workshop is for all levels.
Cost: $30.00 Members / 40.00 Non-members
Bookings essential to secure a place
For more information on Patterns in Nature Workshop
please click here
For course outline and materials requirements please click here
April School Holiday Program
In conjunction with Araluen School Holiday Program For more information and full program please click here
All bookings through the Araluen Arts Centre.
Tuesday 9 April 2013 9.30am - 12 noon
' Behind the Mask Workshop'
Learn how to create fantasy headpieces and masks as wearable art.
Tutor: Philomena Hali
Cost: $35.00
Ages: 8 - 12 years.
Celebrating 2013 National Youth Week
13 April 2013
'New Beginnigs in Craft' Workshop
As part of National Youth Week 2013, Central Craft presents a day-long stencil screen-printing and 3D paper-sculpture workshop with Steve Anderson & Caroline Searle. Using a range of techniques and materials, participants will design and print images before transforming them into three-dimensional objects, creating a collaborative installation artwork. This is a free event for 12-21 year olds, promoting the National Youth Week theme "Be Active. Be Happy. Be You", and the youthbeyondblue message of "Look, listen, talk, seek help together".
Proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government through its Office of Youth Affairs
Time: 10.00am —4.00pm
Where: Central Craft Studio
Cost: FREE
Ages: 12 - 21 years
Enrolments essential to secure your place at these FREE workshops
For more information on workshop Please click here
Friday April 26/Saturday April 27
Pop Remix - Screen-printing Workshops with Mini Graff
In conjunction with The National Gallery of Australia & Araluen Arts Centre’s Pop Remix exhibition of the works of Roy Lichtenstein, Central Craft hosts two screen-printing workshops, run by renowned printmaker and mural project artist Mini Graff.
Time: Friday 26 April, 1-3pm. For school students.
Cost :Free
Time: Saturday 27 April, 1-4.30pm.
Cost: $20.00
Bookings Essential/All materials provided
View Mini Graff’s work at www.minigraff.com
Upcoming Workshops in May
Saturday May 4th 9.30am - 4.30pm
Indigo Dyeing and Shibori Workshop with Philomena Hali.
Indigo dyeing is special – it is only the dyer who sees the transformation of a fluorescent green colour oxidize to an Indigo blue – the process is most absorbing with refreshing blue and white results that keep you wanting to do more. Most Shibori techniques (stitching, wrapping, capping, clamping, binding, folding, twisting, compressing) will be demonstrated. Making and maintaining an Indigo Vat will also be covered.
Cost: $30.00 Members / 40.00 Non-members
Bookings essential to secure a place
For more information on Indigo Dyeing and Shibori Workshop please click here
For course outline and materials requirements please click here
Saturday May 11th 9.30am - 4.30pm
Phil Elson Potter Demonstration Workshop
Phil’s demonstration will begin with a brief viewing of images of the artist’s work and will then focus on the thrown form and emphasize the key elements of wheel-thrown work. The important aspects of clay preparation, centering, shape and form will all be covered in the demonstration. Phil will display his throwing technique utilizing the bowl form which is often considered central to his arts practice. He is renowned for throwing larger pieces and will cover techniques used in the making of this work. Phil will also cover his techniques for turning and finishing forms that are thrown on the wheel.
Cost: $70.00 Members / 90.00 Non-members
Morning & afternoon tea provided. Please bring your own lunch.
Bookings essential to secure a place
Sunday May 12th 9.30am - 4.30pm
Phil Elson Potter Wheel-throwing Workshop
This workshop will be a participatory day where students will have the opportunity to be ‘hands on’ with the clay and work side by side on the wheel with Phil. Students will be given the opportunity to make their own work under Phil’s direction and to see and hear ways of improving their own throwing technique.
Cost: 120.00 Members / $150.00 Non-members
Morning & afternoon tea provided. Please bring your own lunch. All necessary materials provided for the Sunday workshop.
Bookings essential to secure a place
Back by popular demand
Monday May 13th, 20th, and 27th and June 3rd, 10th and 17th
6.00pm - 8.30pm
Introduction to Patternmaking with Jen Standish-White
Over this six week course participants will learn how to take measurements from the body to draft basic bodice, skirt, trouser and sleeve blocks and how to modify patterns for a range of styles whilst applying basic pattern making principles.
No previous patternmaking experience is required.
Cost: $200.00 Members / $250.00 Non-members
Bookings essential to secure a place
For more information on the Introduction to Patternmaking Workshops
Please click here
For course outline and materials requirements Please click here
Wrap up in your winter woolies it's time for the Beanie Festival Workshops
21 - 24 June 2013
' Alice Springs Beanie Festival Workshops'
Join us at Central Craft during the 2013 Alice Springs Beanie Festival in a celebration of craft over 4 fun-filled days from Friday 21st June to Monday 24th June 2013. With over 20 different workshops to choose from, including freestyle silk painting, pewter casting or learning how to make surrrealist tea cosies. Or why not try your hand at embellishing beanies, making silk paper, or crocheting a garden in stitches. There’s knotless netting, shibori on a bottle, the ever popular dyeing and painting wool, 'No frogs No holes' crochet for beginners, easy-carve printmaking and of course all kinds of fabulous felting.
Workshops cost $35.00 each with additional materials fees for kits to the tutor on the day.
So join our lively team of local and interstate tutors, eager to pass on their knowledge and skills in the relaxed and vibrant atmosphere at the Central Craft Studio.
Workshop numbers are limited. Advance bookings recommended to secure a place
To view the daily workshop schedule Please click here
For details on each workshop Please click here
To download an Enrolment Form Please click here
July School Holiday Program
July Date 8 - 11 July 2013
' July School Holiday Workshops'
Where: Central Craft Studio
Cost: FREE
Ages: 12 - 20 years
Enrolments essential to secure your place at these FREE workshops
Ships Ahoy for Henley on Todd
20 - 21 July
' Ship Shape' Workshops.
Members to meet to create Central Craft's 'crafty boat' for Henley on Todd Race.
Calling all our Seniors
August Date TBC
' Seniors Month Workshops'
Open Day of workshops to acknowledge the contribution of Seniors in our community.
Celebrating Father's Day
31 August 2013
'Mens Shed Workshop'
Craft workshops for Fathers for Father's Day
Be inspired by Desert Craft
6 - 9 September 2013
'Craft from the Desert Workshops'
A series of workshops to coincide with Desert Mob as part of the 2013 Alice Desert Festival
Fantasy Craft for Halloween
11 - 13 October 2013
' Getting Spooky' Halloween Workshops.
Create fantasy and folklore craft items for Halloween.
Turn heads for Melborne Cup Day
26 October 2013
' Hot Heads Workshop'
Make your own unique hat or fascinator that will turn heads.
Bearing gifts for Christmas....
1 - 4 November 2013
' Christmas Craft Workshops'
Learn how to make beautiful Christmas gifts and decorations
22 - 25 November 2013
Collaborative project to acknowledge Interntional Day for for the elimination of violence against women
Central Craft is at the Araluen Cultural Precinct, 61 Larapinta Drive Alice Springs