Country Arts SA pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their continuing connection and spiritual relationship to these lands, waters and skies. We are committed to listening and helping care for Country, and safeguarding, sharing and celebrating First Nations’ living cultures.
Art meets environment with Nature Studio
Country Arts SA’s free community event series Nature Studio returns in 2026, forming part of the state’s Nature Festival official program for the first time.
From Burra to Warooka, Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Naracoorte, Country Arts SA’s arts and cultural facilitators invite people of all ages and abilities to celebrate their local landscapes through art this October.
Working alongside experienced local artist mentors, participants are invited to bring along drawing materials, painting equipment, cameras or tablets to create a unique piece of art which responds to their environment and connection to place.
Meet The Grasslands in Burra will be an introduction to critically endangered native grasslands and nature journaling with therapeutic horticulturalist and artist Emma Lewellyn.
Naracoorte locals will enjoy a guided walk through an Indigenous garden with Uncle Doug Nicholls and an art workshop with Meintangk artist Tanya Hartman, who designed the garden’s welcome mural and stepping stones.
In Whyalla, Nikita Charlton and Kelly Wallace’s interactive native food expo will explore how flavours can be harnessed in contemporary cooking, while in Port Lincoln Sandy Harder will teach close observation and expressive mark-marking with simple tools at Brinkworth Reserve.
Finally, photographer Steph Ball and watercolourist Rachelle Plazeriano will host a creative afternoon in the sprawling 100-year-old gardens of Ballara Art and Lifestyle Retreat at Warooka.
“Nature Studio is a wonderful opportunity for like-minded people to get together and explore creativity, artmaking and the natural environment,” Country Arts SA arts and culture manager Deb Myers said.
“It’s about community-building and connecting with nature, not about creating the perfect artwork.
“From experienced artists to someone picking up a sketchbook for the first time, everyone is encouraged to participate.”
All Nature Studio events will take place on Saturday, October 10.
Additional Nature Festival events will be held in Port Lincoln between September 26 and October 11: www.naturefestival.org.au/event/impressions-of-nature.
Image: Doddife Photography