Running July 6-21, Powerhouse Castle Hill's engaging winter school holiday program will feature First Nations stories, workshops and more.
Providing a range of in-depth workshops and free drop-in creative experiences, including popular digital programs Adobe, digital illustration, and artist-led creative workshops, families and children are encouarged to attend and adventure through the exhibitions on display and learn more about the stories being told.
First Nations assistant curator Madeline Poll will be offering guided tours through the museums Alchemy exhibition. Investigating the ancient technique of bush dying by First Nations creative practioners from across Australia, Alchemy takes its title from the protoscientific tradition of transforming one kind of material into another - and uncovers the processes involved in producing pigments and dyes.
Powerhouse's Strategic Projects First Nations curator, Coby Edgar, said: "I travelled to every community and walked Country with them. What I saw. What I heard. What I was shown, is exactly what I brought back."
"If your questions can't be answered by what you see, the process can remain a seemingly magical one to you. This is how we teach and learn. This is how we work and live together," she said.
The school holiday program will also see Kamilaroi artist Kay Lee Williams engage in a slow stitching family workshop using both bush-dyed silks and ancient art-making techniques.
In this workshop, Williams will guide guests to view her artwork Marrambaya (Wrapped) in the Alchemy exhibition, and talk about her creative processes. After viewing her work within the exhbition, families can enjoy a slow stitching workshop to make a unique artwork or placemat to take home.
Wiradjuri/Gadigal performer, songwriter, educator and cultural producer, Akala Newman will host a lyric writing workshop where families will be guided through creative exercises to develop a unique song concept, to think about the powerful meaning of words and how we can express our ideas and experience through song.
On Sunday July 7 Dr Virginia Keft, proud Murriwarri woman, multidisciplinary artist, performer and researcher, will lead a creative mixed-media workshop for families and children titled, 'Colours of Country'.
Colours of Country invites children, teenagers and their families to be inspired by place, Country and nature. Keft will guide partipants through an adventure with colour, texture and design, striving to spark creativity whilst encouraging participants to experiment with techniques and textiles.
Family Day will also return to Powerhouse Castle Hill on Saturday July 13, offering a free all-ages program inspired by Alchemy. Visitors will be able to take part in an interactive family-friendly tour to see iconic objects from the Powerhouse Collection that are now in the new purpose-built storage facility.
Powerhouse-designed Minecraft worlds will challenge aspiring young coders to develop their own projects on this accessible virtual platform. Families can design their own games and collaboratively solve puzzles using block-code and the BBC micro:bit platform.
The school holiday program will also include free Creative Studio workshops held at multiple locations from the July 8-19.
Sitting at the intersection of arts, design, science and technology Powerhouse plays a critical role in engaging communities with contemporary ideas and issues.
Powerhouse Castle Hill's new winter school holiday program has been designed to be as engaging as it is educating, and with the guidance and knowledge of several First Nations creatives, guests can expect a day-out filled with activities, workshops and much more.
The Powerhouse school holiday program will run from the 6th to the 21st of July 2024. Powerhouse Castle Hill is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am–4pm.
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