THE LATEST NEWS
The Blackwood Art & Ecology Club have started making a book by kids for kids. It's all about the forest home we share and is looking gorgeous already. The illustrations and words are fom the young authors and illustrators that live here. With the help of Moorabool Council grant funding we will be able to print the Forest Book for a lasting legacy of our Art Club creativity. If you live in Blackwood or nearby towns such as Dales Creek, Barry's Reef, Newbury and would like to join get in touch.
The Blackwood Art & Ecology Club started by gathering once a month throughout 2025 in the forest hamlet of Blackwood. It's all about getting together, sharing knowledge and getting creative.
The program includes a series of visual art workshops for children, adults and families based around an ecological theme.
The club provides a regular gathering place for children and families to learn, create, play and express themselves through art making. The themes will playfully explore facets of the local natural environment and cyclic systems of nature. The workshops will be guided by me, Kathy Holowko a local Blackwood artist and experienced art facilitator.
The program is primarily for Blackwood locals but those from further afield are invited to explore our beautiful forest home and join in the arty fun.
FREE FOR BlackwoodIANS thanks to ...
For Blackwood residents the regular workshops throughout 2025 were fantastically free with generous support from a FRRR Strengthening Rural Communities grant. This was auspiced by our lovely Blackwood & Barry's Reef Landcare Group (and for this, we thank you both deeply).
Our latest venture is a 'Forest Book' created by children for children. This is supported through a Moorabool Council Grant. They also supported our costume making workshops and the development of the Blackwood Caterpillar for the 2026 Blackwood Easter Parade. It will be a regular feature on parade. It's an extremely cute event so come along and enjoy it next year!
WHERE
We will meet in various locations within the beautiful forest town of Blackwood and utilise St Martins Chapel Community space as our art room for rainy days.
Blackwood, Victoria is located within the Lerdederg and Wombat Forests with the golden Lerdederg River flowing through it. For thousands of years the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people lived with this country. Blackwood became a gold mining town when gold was discovered in the late 1850's and many of the buildings reflect this history. Today it's home to a thriving community with many young families.
WHEN
The Club ran on the first weekend of the month throughout 2025. Check each listed workshop for times, locations and to book. Each month was a little different so check the details.
The Club will continue beyond 2025 as project support becomes available.
STAY IN THE LOOP
This web page will provide the most updated information throughout the year.
BOOKINGS
NOTE: Adult supervision of children is required at all times
•'Blackwood residents' workshops - usually mornings (free for Blackwood and surrounding town locals)
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YOUR HOST
Hello, Kathy Holowko here. I am a Blackwood based artist and I wanted to bring some of my workshop experiences to share with my vibrant and creative local community. In 2025 we're blessed to receive funding from FRRR to do it.
A little about me. I am interested in understanding ecology and in my arts practice I go in search of narratives that reconsider our world as a cyclical and shared habitat. I believe that art can help us to learn, to think and to build positive future visions and so, I often create playful projects that are all about participation. I have been creating public art, interactive installations and running workshops for around 15 years and use a range of media but my practice is mostly sculpture based. Some of the themes I've explored in my sculptural works will be included in the Blackwood Art & Ecology Club's program.
Quite a lot of the creative gatherings will be child focused but adults can find a joyful, creative experience in each project too so come along and make something one and all. Some workshops are for adults only such as the Good Eggs where we use wax and dye in my family Ukrainian traditiion.
I'm looking forward to the arty fun and hope to see you there.
Kathy
Portrait by Mossy Rock Photography
