National Science Week ran from 14-22 August. And we had a fabulous eco-dyeing weekend workshop on offer here at ACC with local textile artist Rose Kulak. She does the most amazing prints and we were VERY excited about it.

This week however, we came to the sad conclusion that it is unlikely that we’ll be able to go ahead with this workshop in person anytime soon, and so instead we’ve been exploring how we can offer an eco-dyeing experience at home.

Rose is helping us put together a couple of different take home kits that include all the materials and instructions you will need to undertake a project using things like eucalyptus leaves, onion skins or oxalis (sour grass that is now in bloom all over the neighbourhood).

Eco-dyeing 101 kit

a dye bath in action … looks pretty cool huh?

So if you’d like to learn a new skill and/or you are keen to explore the science of eco-dyeing and eco-printing … and to find out more about natural fibres, mordants and fixatives, the impact of pressure and heat, and pH levels … then email us here and nominate your preference for the:

1. Eco-printing 101 kit (learn how to use pressure and steam for printing) or

2. Eco-dyeing 101 kit (learn how to make a natural dye bath)

When you register we’ll get back to you re. collection times over the next few days. And then … we hope you have lots of fun … and send us a photo or two of your amazingly interesting (and fingers-crossed, beautiful) results!

Note, this activity is designed for adults, and will also be really interesting for children - but supervision is strongly recommended and actually really necessary.

Thanks Yarra City Arts for financially supporting and helping promote the Alphington Neighbourhood Gallery. Here’s a link to their latest enews post about Gabe Freeman, the artist currently on our fence.

Also … you might like to sign up to receive their news in your inbox … to keep up to date with what’s going on and coming up. Yarra City Arts do a fabulous job supporting a wide variety of artists, arts projects and events, and art spaces across Yarra each year.

I’m looking forward to:

• More sunshine ☀️ - the weekend was pretty great!

• Our short courses starting (Women in the Shed with Maylei, Woodworking Projects with Dave and Drawing with Louisa are all kicking off this week).

• Arty Gardening on Friday … parents and kids, oldies and youngies … and anyone in between who enjoys creative outdoorsy activities is welcome to join Katrina in the garden and/or shed from 10.30am. This week we’ll be decorating and filling seed packets. Then why not stay for morning tea (at 11.30am with Kalimna).

• Our new play equipment arriving - finally. Lockdown delayed things a little, but we have a new cubby and sandpit now arriving (fingers crossed) on Wednesday. They’re going to be pretty gorgeous we think! Pop past later in the week for a play.

• Catching up with more of you! I did see lots of people last week and catch up on their news, but I was sick on Friday and missed seeing all our regular Friday friends. Hopefully this week!

Pods collected for nature play - in the garden on Wednesday (Playtime in the Garden) and Friday (Arty Gardening) mornings. There are activities on every weekday morning at ACC for young families.

Hi all, we’ll be reopening today (Wednesday) and we’ll be working hard to get back on track.

Kalimna and I will be finalising the enrolments in our short courses (which were due to start this week - but will now start next week). If you are enrolled you will hear from us in the next few days to confirm all the details.

Note we DO still have some spots available if you are keen to join in a friendly, fun and creative community activity … like woodworking, collage or eco-dyeing. Make hay while the sun ☀️ shines! You can find out more and enrol here.

We look forward to being back on site and seeing you soon.

And I am looking forward to seeing what two weeks of rain and sunshine has meant for the garden … I’m guessing that our new raised beds will be bursting with edible goodness!

We’re back on Monday 12 July raring to go for Term 3 after 2 weeks of school holidays.

And we’re looking forward to rolling out some new programs including:

• Arty Gardening - Friday mornings $5 for crafty fun in the garden and shed. Katrina will be here to set up a series of weekly activities. suitable for young families and people of all ages and abilities.

• CLAG (collage) - Join Kristian for a 6 week collage workshop in the evenings. Cut, paste and create. Work on individual or shared projects. Explore collage artists and all the possibilities. Suitable for beginners to more experienced artists.

• Woodworking Projects - Dave’s back in the shed. Join him for a 4 week workshop where you’ll have the chance to get his help and advice as you work on a project of your choice.

Interested? You can check out our full program here. And book in here.