Ballarat has always valued the arts highly (the city is home to oldest purpose-built regional gallery in Australia) so it's hardly surprising that a bunch of creatives call the city home. And they want to share their gifts with you. Local artists and craftspeople have come together with Visit Ballarat to host a series of workshops designed to shake up your routine and get your hands working.
Craft a leather belt, distill the perfect drop of gin or discover the art of apiarists (beekeepers). Rather be eating? Ballarat has a fair number of foodies hungry to share their passions with you. Learn how to cook and eat the whole beast with a nose to tail charcuterie class or discover Australia's native ingredients with Saltbush Kitchen's 'Eat Your Landscape' class.
For a different perspective on Ballarat's Indigenous history try your hand at making a "kingplate" in the Pitcha Makin Fellas studios. Or give saori (freestyle cloth weaving) a crack and take home your very own piece of handwoven fabric.
The workshops run until the end of spring 2018, with a list of summer workshops to be released. See the full line-up of current workshops below.
Vino veloce – pig n pinot. Friday, October 19. Mitchell Harris Wines.
Leather belt making workshop. Saturday, October 27. Sovereign Hill.
Create a piece of history with the Pitcha Makin Fellas. Friday, November 9. Pitcha Makin Fellas studio.
Eat your landscape. Saturday, November 10. Saltbush Kitchen.
Larrikin Gin masterclass. Friday, November 16. Kilderkin Distillery.
Nose to tail – a charcuterie experience. Saturday, November 17. Salt Kitchen Charcuterie.
Saori weaving workshop. Sunday, November 18. Dyeing to Weave.
The secret life of bees. Saturday, November 24. Backyard Beekeeping Ballarat.
