Marama-li Workshop
Weaving workshop- Bracelets

Marama-li means to make by hand in Gamilaraay language.

Gathering is a practice passed down generationally. Arkeria takes families through the practice of weaving focusing on a bracelet design which builds foundational skills in weaving practice.

Each bracelet will look slightly different as students choose coloured raffia which has been hand dyed by Arkeria, as well as their own adornments.

Bio:

Arkeria rose Armstrong is a Gamilaraay, Bigambul woman with kinship connections to Yorta Yorta mob through her paternal line. Born on the lands of the Wirangu, Mirning, Kokatha, and Pitjantjatjara people , she spent most of her early years traveling the Country with her family. Eldest of two daughters Arkeria now lives on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, with her partner Chris and their 10-year-old daughter Harriet.

Arkeria has spent the past decade developing her ways of storytelling through creative practice. This has been the foundation to the development of programs and workshops centred around themes of identity, connection to Country, Culture and healing. Art has always been a part of Arkeria’s life. Her middle name comes from her grandmother, Rose. Rose Fernando was a Gamilaraay Elder and one of the last sand painters in northern NSW. Her special name for Arkeria was “Lilly-Rose”. She had a significant influence on Arkeria, both in her daily life and now years later in her art. Arkeria credits her grandmother and her mother for encouraging her to develop a strong connection to culture and a strong personal identity. Women are intrinsically linked to the stories portrayed in her artwork. Women telling stories, sharing ideas and knowledge is what Arkeria has known all her life and this can be seen in her art.

Weaving and gathering are practices that are passed down generationally. Join Arkeria in a workshop using hand dyed raffia to create your own small basket. 

Bio:

Arkeria rose Armstrong is a Gamilaraay, Bigambul woman with kinship connections to Yorta Yorta mob through her paternal line. Born on the lands of the Wirangu, Mirning, Kokatha, and Pitjantjatjara people , she spent most of her early years traveling the Country with her family. Eldest of two daughters Arkeria now lives on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, with her partner Chris and their 10-year-old daughter Harriet.

Arkeria has spent the past decade developing her ways of storytelling through creative practice. This has been the foundation to the development of programs and workshops centred around themes of identity, connection to Country, Culture and healing. Art has always been a part of Arkeria’s life. Her middle name comes from her grandmother, Rose. Rose Fernando was a Gamilaraay Elder and one of the last sand painters in northern NSW. Her special name for Arkeria was “Lilly-Rose”. She had a significant influence on Arkeria, both in her daily life and now years later in her art. Arkeria credits her grandmother and her mother for encouraging her to develop a strong connection to culture and a strong personal identity. Women are intrinsically linked to the stories portrayed in her artwork. Women telling stories, sharing ideas and knowledge is what Arkeria has known all her life and this can be seen in her art.

School holiday program for kids:

Join local artist and cardboard wizard Eliza-Jane Gilchrist for a fun three-dimensional sculpture making workshop to coincide with our current show Dark Matter. Using cardboard and recycled materials, participants will be guided through techniques to build some fabulous and freaky monsters.

The finished monster masterpieces will then go on to decorate the Castlemaine Fringe Halloween party at the old gaol!
More details TBA
For further info about Castlemaine Fringe visit: https://www.castlemainefringe.org.au/

Bio:

Eliza-Jane's sculpture materials are often the discarded – clothes, found objects, and cardboard. Ugly, worthless things, which she rehabilitates using hand-made alterations, embroidery or drawing. She makes ugly things beautiful in an attempt to challenge perceptions of insignificance and value.

She is Co-Director of Such As They Are, an installation/puppet company who construct and perform shows in purpose-built spaces.

Join our team

CAM is looking for a Chief Operations Officer. Reporting directly to the Board, the Chief Operations Officer will be a dedicated and experienced person leading strategic and business planning and management; and ensuring operations for CAM’s long-term future. For details, see CAM’s ad on Ethical Jobs: https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/castlemaineartmuseum/chief-operations-officer-coo

Image: Greg Daly, Wheelthrown Porcelain. Oilspot lustre overglaze with 23Ct gold leaf decoration, Castlemaine Art Museum. Gift of the Artist.

Vote to celebrate local women in public art

For too long the stories of the founding women of our thriving local arts scene have been absent from the history books. Together, we can change that.

We are a leading partner in Mount Alexander Shire Council’s proposal to commemorate seven trailblazing local women in a new public artwork.

Known as the first women of Castlemaine Art Museum, the group stood in solidarity for better representation of women in art. They were instrumental in establishing Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum (now known as our very own Castlemaine Art Museum).

Their story has been shortlisted in the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program. With your vote, funding from the program can help us create a new public artwork to acknowledge their place in history, forever. Voting closes Sunday 8 December. Please share this with your networks!

Follow the link for further information and to vote:
https://engage.vic.gov.au/womens-public-art-program

To vote, click the 'participate' button, click on 'start survey' and follow the prompts.

Voting is open now until Sunday 8 December.