General News
19 September, 2025
School holiday artistic fun
CAIRNS Art Gallery is set to transform into a hive of colour and creativity this September and October, with a packed line-up of hands-on workshops for kids of all ages.
From painting and clay modelling to printmaking and puppet design, the program invites young artists to explore their imaginations while taking inspiration from some of Australia’s most celebrated Indigenous and contemporary artists.
The workshops run daily across the school holidays, catering for two age groups, ages 4-9 in the mornings and ages 9-14 in the afternoons, and are led by practising artists Jamie-Lee Simpson, Amanda Rowen and Keelie Nicholls.
Younger children will be encouraged to go bold with abstract acrylic painting (22 Sep), shape and mould their own creations in air-dry clay play (23 Sep) and layer colours in oil pastel mixed media (24 Sep). Other highlights include building colourful landscape dioramas (25 Sep), designing their own collaged magazines (26 Sep), experimenting with monoprinting basics (2 Oct) and finishing with paper puppets (3 Oct).
For older kids ready to take their art to the next level, workshops include abstract painting and colour theory (22 Sep), creating figurines with armature wire and clay (23 Sep) and hands-on journal making (26 Sep). They’ll also get to try their hand at mixed media printmaking and collage (2 Oct) and bring characters to life with articulated puppets (3 Oct).
Sessions are affordably priced, with discounts for gallery members. Each class runs for 90 minutes (younger group) or two hours (older group) and all materials are provided.
Spaces are limited and bookings are essential to secure a place. Parents are encouraged to visit the Cairns Art Gallery website: www.bit.ly/3Ig5EgI for full details and to reserve tickets.
Young artists also have a creative opportunity this school holidays with local illustrator Cindy Wider, who is hosting a special workshop in collaboration with the Cairns Regional Council at Earlville Library.
The workshop, titled “Learn to Colour with Cindy Wider”, is centred around the charming spectacled flying-fox, a design created by Ms Wider as part of the council’s wildlife education program.
The session aims to teach children a range of colouring techniques while encouraging creativity and artistic expression.
“This workshop is a wonderful opportunity to inspire the next generation of young artists while highlighting the value of these fascinating creatures,” Ms Wider said.
Two workshops are at the Earlville Library on Thursday 2 October at 10am and 11am, 5-10-year-olds, up to 20 children per sessions.
