Author: Lorri Lambert Art and Therapy

~ Artist ~ Teacher ~ Counsellor ~
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Pastels workshop

Posted on by Lorri Lambert Art and Therapy

Caroline Packer (nee Ellis) PAXArt

3rd & 4th October 2026 at Woorinen South Community Hall.
10am – 3.00pm each day (bring lunch to share)

$120 for members $150 for non members.

For bookings please contact the Secretary on 0467 879 261 or email malleeartists.swanhill@gmail.com

Over two days discover the delights of working with soft pastels.

Soft Pastels – these are composed of pigment, water and a smaller amount of binder. The soft texture of these pastels can create smooth, smudgy lines and intense colour.  Soft pastels cannot be mixed on a palette but are blended on the page. 

On day one you will learn about this unique medium and the different levels of chalkiness and softness, how to get different textures and all about the pros and cons of blending. You will create some sample pieces and prepare for a larger piece.

Day two will give you to put the skills into practice and create an animal or pet portrait.

Caroline (Pax) has been using this medium for a number of years and is an accomplished artist. Formerly a Swan Hill resident she now lives in Lakes Entrance.

https://www.facebook.com/carolineellisart

https://www.carolineellisgallery.com

Image of a tiger painted in soft pastel by Caroline Packer PAXart

A bit about Caroline

Over the past 20 years I have also seen the benefit of Art as Therapy for students from the ages of 5 up to 85! through my private studio classes, through doing community art projects and teaching art, music and drama in schools. 

Prior to becoming a teacher I worked as An Environmental Officer and National Park Ranger Interpretation Officer and have travelled Australia taking photos and selling them at markets and eventually my own Gallery.  I have always been passionate about the environment and believe nature is one of the greatest healing resources available to us.  I enjoy showing my NDIS clients how to be mindful in their environment through art, music or nature immersion. 

I currently spend some of my time creating my own art and most of my time helping others discover the joys of art through exploration and therapy. My life has become more complete by having the opportunity to see the benefits spilling over.  

Posted in workshop

First Wednesday Workshops

Posted on by Lorri Lambert Art and Therapy

Looks what’s coming up! Run by members & FREE for members(unless special materials are required). Featuring three different mediums and very different techniques!

1st July: embossing with Jenny

5th August: semi abstract flora with Lorri

2nd Sept Watercolour sheep with Val

depicting three images of the next 3 workshops on offer by members.
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Brush & Brew Workshop

Posted on by Lorri Lambert Art and Therapy

Wild Poppies for Anzac Day 25th April 2026

Create a beautiful watercolour painting with us on Anzac Day. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in good company, with a delicious afternoon tea.

$30 per person

All art materials supplied.

Woorinen South Community Hall
(behind the kindergarten)
12.30pm until 3.00pm

Run by volunteers of The Mallee Artists of Swan Hill

Payment is required when booking

Gail 0438 376 730 or Lorri 0467 879 261

Email: malleeartists.swanhill@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/malleeart

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School Holidays Fun

Posted on by Lorri Lambert Art and Therapy

Art Workshop for Kids

An image of a cat & bird painting

Saturday 18th April
1-2.30pm Woorinen South Community Hall
(behind the kindergarten)


$15 per child $10 each for extra siblings, ages 7-15.
Create this funky bird and cats with acrylic paints on a canvas.

Bookings Essential via Facebook or phone: 0438 376 730

BYO Snack/water bottle All art materials provided

Facilitated by volunteer Members of the Mallee Artists Group. All with Working with Children Cards.

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MASH 2026 Events & Activities

Posted on by Lorri Lambert Art and Therapy

Brush ‘N’ Brew Workshops

The 4th Saturday of each month will be a Brush ‘N’ Brew held at the hall, 12.30-3pm  (yes while it’s open to visitors).  These will remain $30, all materials supplied, as our aim is exposure and affordability.  Cuppas will be self help with plates of cake etc. made up ready to go.

First Wednesdays

We are again offering workshops free for paid members with a small fee for visitors $20 (includes hall fee of $5)

Any member of MASH is very welcome to offer a workshop to the group.  We still have July to December to fill!

February       Watercolours with Val

March            Abstract background/bird with Donna

April               Impasto texture painting with Sue

May                Watercolour jellyfish or tree with Gail

June                Gel Plate printing with Lorri  (Recipe for making your gel plate will be given prior to the date & a demo given)

Mosaic Mondays
@Lorri’s from 19th January. For any MASH member who has been/or wants to dabble in mosaics. January /February Project create a Mosaic Ball Extra cost (for materials) $15

Broken china and tiles, tile adhesive and grout are supplied. BYO substrate eg:  terracotta pots, old saucepan/frying pan, wall or floor tiles, old microwave turntables.   BYO Snack, Regular Cost: $10 Newbies Welcome!
11 Parkview Drive Swan Hill, contact Lorri: 0467 879 261 for more information.

Guest Artist Workshops

We have tried to source a range of mediums, styles and subjects for the workshops in 2026.

May Sat 23 & Sun 24: Oils with Jon Lam.  Focusing on basics for those who have not used oils before and then painting a seascape or lake scape.  $120 for members $150 for non members.

August Sat 15: Pallette knife with Graham Hearne.  This acrylics workshop is still in planning stages, and further details will be released as they are known.  All material supplied, including large framed canvas.

October Sat 3 & Sun 4: Pastels with Caroline Ellis.  Some beginners activities to start us off and then we will be painting a favourite animal.  This is a great opportunity to learn about texture with this beautiful medium.  All materials supplied.  $120 for members $150 for non members.

Exhibitions

All artworks entered need to be created withing the past 12 months.  Size for regional galleries: a minimum of A4, for sale, framed and/or ready to hang with D Rings and wire. Cards will be made for all artworks to include Artist name, Title, Medium and cost.  A brochure is being developed to feature the artist profile of all current paid members.

Moulamein Art Gallery, May 1 to 29
Afternoon Tea/meet the artists for the local community Thursday 14th May.  Share rides to be arranged.

Balranald Art Gallery, July 2 to August 5
Delivery and collection volunteers needed. Opening of Exhibition Sat July 4, 2pm.  Share rides or mini bus to be arranged.


Woorinen South Community Hall Oct 31 Nov 1 (Melb Cup weekend)
Celebrating the end of the year with new works.

Permanent Exhibition open to visitors

We will be open for visitors while we are at the hall on Wednesdays (10-12) and on Saturdays (11-3). Members will man the hall, enjoy another day of art and sometimes utilize the big TV for free online workshops.  Cuppa and cake will be available for visitors. This is purely voluntary and anyone is welcome to help out.  We are developing a flyer to be placed in motels, information centre and other suitable outlets.

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Brush & Brew Art Workshops

Posted on by Lorri Lambert Art and Therapy

During 2026 We will be offering art workshops for the community on the 4th Saturday of each month. Starting in February with the elephant pictured on the flyer below. Only $30 per person, all materials supplied and a delicious afternoon tea is included.

#This is a not for profit event run by volunteers.

An image of the flyer promoting an art workshop to be held Saturday 28th February 2026 at 12.30pm for only $30.

Image Credit : https://app.jesserobertson.com/

Posted in art, community, exhibition, mural, news, painting, Public Art, workshop

A very big 2025!

Posted on by Lorri Lambert Art and Therapy

Mallee Artists would like to thank all of our supporters for a fabulous 2025!

Highlights:

Community Mural Project

  • media
  • Blanks ready to go
  • Background spraying
  • Sketching designs 1
  • Designs with some detail
  • Sketching designs 2
  • Designs with some detail
  • Gail starting on day 1
  • Detailing
  • mural weekend painting
  • mural weekend painting
  • mural weekend painting
  • mural weekend painting
  • mural weekend painting
  • mural weekend painting
  • mural weekend painting
  • mural weekend painting
  • Preparing school mural 1
  • mural weekend painting day 2
  • Preparing school mural 2
  • Animals detail
  • Flowers detail


Two Exhibitions of our Artworks!

Balranald
“Home is where the ART is”
January: 4 February to mid March.

Woorinen South 8-9 November
“A Celebration of Art in our Community“

Posted in art, community, drawing, exhibition, news, painting, Public Art, sculpture, workshop

August! Winter is almost over!

Posted on by Lorri Lambert Art and Therapy

Our First Wednesday in August produced some great drawings for our panels on the old piano we are painting. The murals are currently getting their shiny coat of Anti-Graffiti seal and they will be ready to go up very soon!

A Committee meeting will be held on 20th August to plan activities for the remainder of the year. It seems to get really busy from now on!

A trip to the “Spannerman” gardens in Boort.

An image of a horse and rider made from spanners.
Horse and rider made from spanners. “Spannerman Sculpture gardens” Boort.

Perhaps a visit to the quirky and original artist, Steve Cole in Goodnight.

Image of Steve Cole with his sculpture of a Bunyip.
Image of Steve Cole with his sculpture of a Bunyip. Source: The Guardian Newspaper Swan Hill.
Noel Fisher Jun 11 2024

During the School Holidays in September we will be offering Children’s art workshops again, as well as some “Brush ‘n’ Brew workshops for the grown ups during the warmer months :)

MASH will be helping out at the Annual Show as we do each year by donating prize money to the art section, and by helping to hang artworks.

We will be holding an exhibition to help raise funds for the group. This will be held on the weekend just prior to the Melbourne Cup. Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd November.

Our usual First Wednesdays will be on offer with topics to be announced shortly. So buckle up for a busy few months!