Our first mosaics class has been super. Lee is leading participants through the process of creating mosaic art works utilising the tiles in our stash … including leftover pool tiles from my house, a variety of pink bathroom tiles (ceramic and glass) from Anne’s renovation, green glass tiles from Elise’s bathroom reno … and other lovely tiles that have been donated along the way (I may have also found some in hard rubbish).

They are also sourcing and working with broken plates and cups from op shops etc. and utilising the colours/patterns and natural shapes of these items to create 3D elements in their works.

In this fun, mindful and creative process participants are also learning some great new skills that build confidence to tackle small jobs at home, including as you would imagine … how to cut tiles, how to space tiles, what glues to use, how to grout and how to seal tiles … perfect if the splash back needs a facelift or a tile has come loose in the bathroom.

Also … if you have colourful glass tiles or small colourful wall tiles (eg. thin) left over from a project at your house that could do with a new home think of us … check in me (Leanne) or Lee if they’d be useful.

We’ll be running this course again next semester, so keep an eye out if you are interested.

Lee made this lovely example using a variety of cutting techniques and materials.

Are you a small business owner with skills and knowledge to share? A history buff? An amateur sleuth? Do you have a story to tell? Podcasting is a great way to do it!

Podcasting is really accessible and fun. You just need some basic knowledge and skills to get going. How to record, how to edit, how to upload your finished product onto the internet etc. And tips and tricks on what makes a great podcast.

Keen to find out more? Come along to ACC for 4 weeks in July/August and learn the art and craft of podcasting from Ben McKenzie, who regularly teaches podcasting and cohosts the monthly Terry Pratchett book club Pratchat.

Over 4 weeks you’ll explore all the basic elements to podcasting and you’ll get the chance in week 3 to book in time in ‘the cupboard’ our podcasting studio - to make your own recording … so you will walk away new knowledge and skills … and your first product.

The cost is $220. Book in here.

Podcasting 101

$220.00

Buy now

We’re building … we had 5 people this week to Crunch and after eating a version of macaroni and cheese that involved a mix of Clive of India and Keens curry powder, broccoli and bacon … followed by rocky road and a latte … YUM! we headed to the shed for some still life drawing with pastels on extended sticks … just for fun.

It is not too late to book in for this week where we will be eating something nourishing (haven’t decided yet!) and exploring the art of ‘blackout poetry’ - starting with a page of text and blocking out passages to create poetry from someone else’s words. And then getting creative with the outcome.

Thursday from 12.30-2pm. Take a bread from your every day! Book in here.

Hi Leanne here. With our new room and reconfiguration of our spaces we are now looking at our general programming … and also starting to think about what we will run next semester. If you have a great idea for something to run here please give us a call or send an email. We really love new ideas. We’ll finalise things in the next few weeks, before the school holidays.

Excitingly, we have lots of great things on our radar already including:

• new meditation/mindfulness classes

• another introduction to podcasting short course starting at the end of July - this time with Ben McKenzie who is a very experienced teacher

• another mosaics workshop with Lee (she’s loved the first one)

• a new evening art group where we will keep costs down by sharing skills and knowledge

• a street/neighbourhood photography course on the weekend suitable for families

• our winter art exhibition in mid August (artists start thinking about what you could enter!)

• Alphington Open Studios at the end of the year

• our Christmas Makers Market at the end of November

I am going to start putting some of the links to these activities on our ‘enrol’ page this week, so keep an eye out if you are super keen to book in. As I get them organised I will make sure I add the direct links into the newsletter over the coming weeks.

We’re looking forward to getting settled after a period of chaos … and of course offering a great range of events, courses and programs throughout second semester that engage a wide range of people from our local community.

Join us for lunch this week on Thursday at 12.30pm. $15. Book in on our website here.

Last week we had potato and leek soup with crusty bread, and cookies and coffee, and immersed ourselves in drawing for an hour.

We started with a piece of broken willow pattern crockery and extended the picture out from it on paper, using markers and pencils.

It was low key and chatty and very relaxing!

This week we’ll be eating a pasta bake and using the easels. Take a break from the every day and come along!