What's it all about?

Discover new ways to approach creativity in this six-week short course with artist Michael Berry.

Through a combination of drawing, painting, observation and creative exploration, Michael will encourage you to let go of expectations and preconceptions and discover your own way of seeing and creating.

The course explores the relationship between line, colour, symbols, light and space, while encouraging you to question, experiment and respond to what is happening in the moment. Rather than focusing on producing a particular type of artwork, the emphasis is on the creative process - developing greater awareness, confidence and freedom in your approach to making art.

Michael believes that creativity begins with questioning and that insight comes through the challenges we set ourselves. His approach is open to both experienced artists and those wanting to reconnect with their creativity in a supportive and exploratory environment.

Across six sessions, you will have the opportunity to experiment, develop your visual language and, most importantly, discover where your own creative exploration can take you.

Please bring along any art supplies you wish to use.

Who will be teaching?

Michael Berry is an accomplished Australian artist whose life and art are deeply connected through an ongoing exploration of perception, thought and creativity.

Michael’s approach to art is grounded in questioning and observation. He is interested in what happens when we look beyond our assumptions, opinions and preconceptions, and instead pay close attention to what is actually happening in the moment. For Michael, the process of making art is as important as the finished work - each painting is an opportunity to explore, question and discover something new.

Drawing is an important foundation of his practice, and he places great emphasis on the relationship between line, symbols, colour, light and space. He is equally interested in positive and negative space, and in creating a visual language that is spontaneous, expressive and true to the work itself.

Michael has exhibited widely throughout Australia, with his paintings, drawings and sculptures held in public, private and corporate collections. In this session, he will share his approach to art and creative exploration, offering participants an opportunity to engage with his ideas and experience his unique perspective firsthand.

November - December 2026 Information:

This six-week course will run on Friday afternoons from Friday 6 November until Friday 11 December between 1pm - 3pm. The cost for the six-week term is $120 (2 hour session at $20 each).

If you wish to join the class after the term has begun, our booking system will allow you to book for the remaining classes - assuming there is space.

Please note this class requires a minimum of 5 paid participants to go ahead. If this minimum number is not reached, a full refund will be provided. The workshop will have a maximum of 10 participants.

If you have an idea for your community and need some support to get things off the ground then come and talk to us at the House and we’ll talk about how we can help. We love to hear from our community and get involved.

We have a range of children’s activities and adult learning opportunities during terms and some school holidays. We support local community groups – whether it’s providing a space for them to meet or giving them assistance with funding applications. Come and talk to us about your ideas and how we can help your group realise their dreams. We also run our own community building activities such as the Woodend Community Lunch and the Woodend Repair Cafe.

Fees for courses are to be paid before the course commencement unless prior arrangements have been made.

1. If WNH cancels a course prior to commencement, fees paid will be refunded in full;
2. If a learner cancels their enrolment with more than 4 working days notice prior to course commencement, fees paid will be refunded less an administration fee of 20% of the course cost;
3. No refunds are available when a learner cancels their enrolment within 4 working days prior to commencement of the course
4. No refunds are available when a learner fails to advise of cancellation prior to course commencement;
5. No refunds are available after a course has commenced

If for any reason we need to change the delivery method of a course (eg from face-to-face to online) and the new method is not feasible for you to continue, a refund will be offered for any missed classes or all sessions that are delivered that you can not feasibly attend.