With only a few days of the Gwydir Shire Quirky Creative and Wellness festival left, there are still some fantastic workshops, seminars and events available.
Local psychologist Linda McDouall will present a seminar at the Roxy on dealing with stress and anxiety; in only a few hours you will have skills for a lifetime enabling you to help yourself and those you care about.
At the Living Classroom on Friday, Slippery Sirkus will present their final workshop from 6pm. This evening event is designed for young people aged 12 and over and will include workshops in mask making and exploring identity; circus skills and acrobalance/acrobatics; drumming & percussion as well as music and discussions by the campfire.
In Warialda a seminar on borderline personality disorder will be held at the Warialda HACC office and is presented by the Association of the Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill (ARAFMI).
This one day workshop will help you make sense of BPD, show you how you can support someone with BPD, identify triggers, explore tips for coping and managing challenging behaviours, the importance of boundaries and self-care.
Also in Warialda is ‘Drawing and Writing from Life’ this workshop explores the use of an art journal as a reflection of events happening in your life.
You might draw what you see or document your thoughts, express your fears, dreams, fantasies, joy, passions and plans for the future in your own individual way using a variety of different materials.
On Saturday October 11 the festival draws to a close with an open day at the Ceramic Break Sculpture Park.
The event will include artisan markets and wellness stalls, exhibitions by local artists, live music by Armidale musician Fabio Toli, and kids’ entertainment including jumping castle, face painting, balloon twisting and circus demonstrations.
Ex local resident and artist Sophie Mill will also present a talk on her artistic career, as well as her own personal struggle with Bipolar.
Sophie is a very vocal advocate for mental health issues and hopes to take away the stigmas attached to mental illness.
Sophie has written a book about her own personal struggle with Bipolar ‘The Woman in the Distance’ and will also be selling and signing copies on the day. Sophie will be also running creative writing and paintings classes at the Bingara Civic center on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week.
Some of the Stalls on the day include Yvonne Ledingham with her handmade paper and altered books, Sally Olive and her unique handmade cards, and Jodee Monkton with a Bowen Therapy stand.
The event starts at 10am and finishes at 2pm with exhibitions continuing until the late afternoon.
For more information or to book a class visit www.gwydirshire.com/quirkyfestival/ or call the Bingara Visitor Information Centre 02 6724 0066 or Warialda 02 6729 0046.
