Young & Old: School Holiday Fun in Noosa!
School Holidays are approaching so we thought we’d share fun activities for young and old. Who better to gather up the best events in Noosa than our IN Noosa work experience students – Lola Ottman and Ella Wilkinson!
We scoured Noosa to bring you the creative, adventurous and mindful programs available for both young and old at the Noosa Regional Gallery, Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre, Noosa Library and Noosa Leisure Centre. And let’s also remind ourselves of Noosa Civic’s The Little Community Space offering daily programs for young and old.
With so many great options there’s really no excuse not to partake, the only question is, which will you choose?
Noosa Regional Gallery Art Inspirations – by Lola Ottman
Spend these chilly winter holidays enjoying the artistic beauty of Noosa by visiting the Noosa Regional Art Gallery. Our local art gallery offers a plethora of exciting workshops, artist talks, exhibitions and competitions for the community to enjoy.
Kids Workshops
Worried about trying to keep your kids busy for the holidays? There are workshops for ages anywhere from 6 – 18 years old. With a small expense of $15, your wallet won’t hurt, and you can keep your little ones busy and creative by booking them into one of the many workshops like the Feathered Sculptures or Mini Murals workshop. Why not book your teenagers into a free drawing workshop with Meredith Macleod. The workshops run for a full 2 hours of fun and creativity so be sure not to miss out.
Current Exhibition
(Exhibition Open: Friday 21 June – Sunday 28 June)
Want a taste of the art of Noosa? Have a wander through Rachel Ormella’s Exhibit, ‘I hope you get this’ with rooms and walls filled with unique art pieces created by one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists. Rachel Ormella displays her social and environmental activism through her captivating textile works, along-side portraying human and animal relationships, nationalism and national identity. So why not take a couple minutes out of your day to come and visit the exhibit and experience what the art of Noosa really looks like.
DRAW Competition and The Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize 2019
(Exhibition Open: Friday 1 November – Sunday 1 December)
It’s the time of the year for the annual DRAW competition and The Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize to commence once again. Grades 9 – 12 are welcome to enter their art piece to the DRAW competition for a chance to win a $500 gift voucher prize along with two private lessons with an established Sunshine Coast/Gympie Artist. All adults are welcome to enter for the Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize, those who enter will be given the chance to win a $5000 prize as well as the possibility to win the People’s Choice Award, which is a further $1000 prize. Entries have already opened on Saturday 1 June, they will then close on Sunday 11 August. The Noosa Regional Gallery will open an exhibition designated to both the DRAW Competition and the Lyn McCrea Drawing Prize on Friday 1 November – Sunday 1 December.
ArtPlay Sundays
If you or your kids can’t get enough of the artistic world, have a look at the ArtPlay Sundays that the Noosa Regional Gallery offers to the whole family. From 11am – 2pm, you or your kids can indulge yourself in the creative world with different activities every second Sunday of each month. Booking for the activities is not needed, making it an easy, laidback and fun time for the whole family.
For more, visit the Noosa Regional Gallery website.
Cooroy Butter Factory, Libraries and Leisure Centre – by Ella Wilkinson
Feeling the pressure of finding ways to keep you and your family occupied these holidays? No need to worry, because Noosa Shire’s very own Butter Factory, Library Services and Leisure Centre bring you fun events right at your fingertips!
First up – Cooroy Butter Factory
Workshops
WILD Clay School Holiday Workshop. Tues 2 July, 11am-12.30pm. $30
The Cooroy Butter Factory helps involve the kids by hosting a clay making clinic during the school holidays. The WILD workshop, taught by potter, John Manning, encourages young creatives, aged 10+, to express themselves through their very own clay designs. The workshop is ideal for next gen. scientists and curious thinkers/builders/tinkerers. If this sounds like it suits your child, head to the Cooroy Butter Factory’s Facebook page to get the full scoop.
Clay + Canapes After Dark. every Friday from 5-26 July, 6pm-8.30pm. $198 (firing fees excl.)
Are you an adult looking to get creative and spend some quality relaxation time without the kids? Starting these holidays, a Friday night series hosted by ceramicist Tania Edwards takes you through the ceramic process in her very own Cooroy studio. Welcoming to all skill levels the peaceful classes teach you how to make your own clay bowls, mugs, tumblers, and plates, while having access to their fully equipped studio. They even encourage you to bring a drop of your favourite Friday night bevvie. Visit the ticket site for more details and to book your spot.
Exhibitions
Hear My Voice. Tues-Sun, 21 June-23 July 2019, 10am-3pm. Free Entry
Willing to be apart of a cultural experience, then Indigenous ambassadors, Jandamarra Cadd and Paul Calcott’s ‘Hear My Voice’ art exhibition is for you. Residing on Gubbi Gubbi, Kabi Kabi Country, these First Nation artists hope to instil confidence and validation for what they do by showcasing their traditional stories through varied works of art. Bring the family down for a culturally diverse adventure at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre these holidays.
Shaped by Nature. Tues-Sun, 21 June-23 July 2019, 10am-3pm. Free Entry
Intertwine yourself in the paintings of Alan Pirie and the ceramic works of Fiona Cuthbert O’Meara these school holidays. Embrace the relationship between what it is to be “skilled” at one’s craft by admiring the thought-provoking duel exhibition with the family. To find out more about the free event, head to the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre website.
A Class Act. Tues-Sun, 21 June-23 July 2019, 10am-3pm. Free Entry
For a more youth-filled connection, ‘A Class Act’ exhibition showcases the work from 9 of Michael Winters students who attended the McGregor Summer School. Bring the kids down to this exhibition and show them what they’re capable of. Get more details on the Cooroy Butter Factory’s website.
Events
Winter Pottery Market. Sat 29 June, 10am-2pm. Free Entry
Connect directly to Sunshine Coast ceramic lovers at the 2nd Pottery Market held on the first Saturday of the school holidays. This family-friendly occasion unveils local mud lovers’, potters, ceramicists, pro’s and hobbyists’ diverse talents. Not to forget, if you’re a local potter wanting to showcase what you do, they’d love to share their space and audience with you. More information regarding the festivities on the Cooroy Butter Factory Facebook page, or register for a stall via email to hello@butterfactoryartscentre.com.au.
Pottery Classes
Potting Throughout the Week
Willing to get your hands muddy these holidays, then the Cooroy Butter Factory’s many pottery classes collaborate with you to make ceramics of your own. The centre has a functioning Pottery Studio which offers 6 workshops throughout the week and is also available for hire. Find a pottery session that suits you.
Tuesdays with Julie Wall. 9.30am-12.30pm
On Tuesday, Julie Wall takes you through the hand building and wheelwork of clay and how you can transform it into your own design, using the facilities available to you. For any more queries regarding the class, contact the teacher herself at, juliewall.seven@gmail.com.
Julie Wall’s Wednesday Evenings. 6pm-9pm
For an extended session with Julie Wall, and possibly for some quiet time without the kids, hand building and wheelwork will be taught again of Wednesday nights. To find out more, contact Julie Wall via email at, juliewall.seven@gmail.com.
Thursdays with Monika Juengling. 9.30am-12.30pm
To get muddy with Monika, the Cooroy Butter Factory’s pottery class teaches you more about wheelwork and what you can create using these earthy materials. Want to find out more about Monika’s class, contact her on monika.juengling@bigpond.com.
Fiona Cuthbert O’Meara’s Thursday Nights. 6pm-8.30pm
To push your boundaries with the art of potting, Fiona Cuthbert O’Meara, a commonly exhibited artist at the CBFAC, teaches you the introduction to wheel throwing after dark. More on Fiona and the class she teaches is found at the Nature Muse website.
Cooroy Potters BYO PROJECT Day. 9.30am-3.30pm
Share your talents and bring your own pottery masterpieces to show the locals what you’re made of. Every Friday, the Cooroy Butter Factory hosts a BYO PROJECT day for any local mud lovers out there. Anyone is welcome. More information on the Cooroy Butter Factory website.
Artisan Store
Open Tues-Sun, 10.30am-3pm
By connecting talented artisans with their audience, the Cooroy Butter Factory’s Artisan Store captures the spirit, energy and vibrancy of creativity on the Sunshine Coast. The store offers a rare opportunity to meet the makers behind the exquisite works of art and also gives you the opportunity to purchase a piece perfect for gift ideas and/or household decorations. If you’re also an artisan, maker, creative or similar and want to sell your works, the Butter Factory would love to hear from you at their ever-expanding Artisan Store.
Noosa Library Services
It’s Rocket Science. Wed 3 July, 12pm. $10 (bookings essential)
Calling for all budding scientists, astronauts and space fanatics, the ‘It’s Rocket Science’ workshop explores the wonders of rockets, flight and space technology. Held at the Cooroy Library on, the child and family event guarantees your space-obsessed children a good time and teaches them how to create their very own water-propelled rocket. It also allows them to launch their masterpiece 60 metres into the air. To help your child become a rocket scientist for the day, visit the Noosa Library Services website.
Gubbi Gubbi Storytelling. Wed 10 July and Thur 4 July, 10am. Free Entry
For a more cultural experience, the family-friendly storytelling entails Gubbi Gubbi storytellers unveiling Noosa’s origin stories. The family-friendly event helps teach you about the important plants and animals in our environment while also learning some of the first language spoken in our area. Two sessions will be held; one at Noosaville Library on Thursday 4 July; and the other at Cooroy Library on Wednesday 10 July. Sound interested, then head to the Noosa Library Services website. No bookings required.
LEGO! Mon 1 July and Thur 11 July, 10am. Free Entry
Let your kids’ imaginations run wild these school holidays at the Noosa Library Services two-part series of Lego workshops. The family event encourages kids to build a spectacular creation or to even join in on their Lego-inspired games. All children aged 4+ are welcome. More details regarding the free event are found on the Noosa Library Services website.
Softies. Tues 2 July, 2pm. Free Entry (bookings essential)
Interested in getting your kids to learn how to sew? Noosa Library Services workshop, ‘Softies’, is for children aged 8-16 to get creative with a needle and thread these holidays. This workshop teaches kids to sew a creature of their own creation. Bring the family out for a day and learn to sew, bookings via the Libary Events Calendar.
Flights of Fancy. Frid 5 July & Tues 9 July
Got any kids who love to craft aerodynamic creations and want to learn how to make more? Noosa Library Services, ‘Flights of Fancy’ workshop allows people of all ages to experiment with their creations and to see how far and high they can fly. Challenge your family to a paper plane comp or a best paperclip helicopter show at Cooroy or Noosaville Library. To find out more about the high flying event, visit the Library Events Calendar.
Noosa Leisure Centre
Parkour and Acrobatics Workshop. Wed 3 & Tues 9 July, 10-11.30am, $15
For any young people aged 10-15 years of age who want to learn the basics of parkour and acrobatics, experienced coach and trainer, Ryan Collins is hosting two thrilling workshops that will leave your kids eager to learn more. To book, call the Noosa Leisure Centre on 5329 6550 or see their friendly staff at reception. For more details on Ryan and the event, visit the Noosa Leisure Centre website.
Kid’s Playroom FUN! Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm; Sat 9am-11am; sun 10am-12pm. $5 per child
Trying to find a fun place for your kids to play while you sit down and relax, well the Noosa Leisure Centre’s kid’s playroom is here to help. Open all week, the centre allows you to sit down at the café while your children are having the time of their lives jumping, bouncing, crawling, playing and climbing on the playroom equipment. To seek more information, call the Leisure Centre on 5329 6550.
Casual Ball Sports Fun. Mon-Fri, 12pm-5pm. $5 per child per day
Noosa Leisure Centre hosts a variety of different ball sports to try- just for kids these holidays. This experience offers a great way for kids to exert some of their pent-up energy in a non-structured environment.
Kids Mindfulness, Movement and Meditation. Mon 1 July, 10-12pm, 5-8 years. Mon 8 July, 10-12pm, 9-12 years. $40
To inspire happy, healthy children from within, the Noosa Leisure Centre is offering yoga games, breathing techniques, moving meditations and craft. Bookings are essential, so call Emma on 0413401144 or call the Noosa Leisure Centre on 53296550 for more details.
Visit the Noosa Leisure Centre website for the full school holiday program.
