Sketching, weaving, painting and singing workshops in the Opera House’s Centre for Creativity this winter

Sydney —

The Sydney Opera House has announced a huge winter program for its Centre for Creativity, featuring 16 participatory workshops, talks and classes running from July to September. The jam-packed program features free and ticketed experiences for all ages: from a life-drawing class featuring an opera singer, circus skills, weaving, sketching and hat-making workshops, to singalongs, architecture, dance, meditation and painting workshops, an alien scavenger hunt, and much more.  

“The Centre for Creativity encourages learning for all, and our new winter line-up continues to champion this. With a range of new workshops and experiences, audiences from all walks of life, abilities and backgrounds can find something to engage with in our packed and diverse program, and develop their sense of wonder and creativity in the process,” says Sydney Opera House Head of Children, Families and Creative Learning, Tamara Harrison.
 

For young people, adults and seniors (ages 15 – 55+ years)

  • Life Drawing and Opera (6 August) – a live performance by an Opera performer while artist Anney Bounpraseuth guides participants through how to bring the human form to life with drawing.
     
  • SOH BUILD Conversation Night - Does Artificial Intelligence make Smart Cities?(28 June) – a thought-provoking conversation with artist and creative technologist Thea-Mai Baumann, discussing how the disciplines of design, architecture, engineering and the arts can creatively attend to current and urgent issues.
     
  • Meditation and Creativity (24 June & 29 July) – academic, counsellor and meditation teacher Nadine Cameron and ambient musician SnowBorne (David Rosa) will guide meditations to help participants reach a state of creative awareness.
     
  • Dreams of Benny (9 July) – an immersive three-hour workshop created for people (aged 16+) living with a disability by recognised arts leader Sarah-Vyne and a team of artists with disabilities. Participants will go on an imaginative and immersive journey using Sydney Opera House mascot Benny the Seal as inspiration to create a performance installation. 
     
  • ​Architecture Club (17 June, 22 July & 19 August) – these popular workshops are for budding designers to explore Australian architecture and provide inspiration for the next renovation or move, led by architect Louise O’Brien.
     
  • Spring for Seniors – Dance Theatre Class (16 June, 21 July & 25 August) – the popular gatherings welcome anyone aged 55+ for a creative and social workshop inspired by the great tradition of dance theatre, led by dancer and choreographer, Diane Busuttil. The workshops build strength, mobility, balance, memory and musicality and will also be offered as a free livestreamed online experience (16 June, 21 July). 
     
  • Draw the House: The Sketchbook Tour(link is external, opens in new tab or window) (25 June, 30 July, 27 August) – a free, monthly walking and drawing tour led by artist Zanny Begg that explores various drawing techniques and perspectives inspired by one of the world's most iconic buildings.

For children and families (ages 4-15 years old)

  • Lyrebird Harps (25 June) – a free design workshop where participants will create two stylish costume accessories, including a lyrebird-shaped harp and leaf crown, with artist Anney Bounpraseuth. 
     
  • Ngumpie Weaving (8 July) – an introduction to the sacred, sustainable craft of weaving with Tegan Murdock, a proud Barkindtji, Maraura, Yorta Yorta, Duduroa woman, with participants learning traditional Indigenous weaving techniques that have been passed through generations.
     
  • The Magic Garden (13 July) – a school holiday workshop for 4-9 year-olds and their families that plants seeds of musical inspiration, including vocal warm-ups and sweet harmonies from Ru Barb, to song writing secrets from Aspara Gus and Sir Paul McCarrotney.
     
  • Let’s Make a Spherical Circus (3 July, 5 July & 6 July) – a creative workshop with Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ Artistic Director Anni Davey OAM, the brains behind all-clowning musical variety show Spherical, which will teach 9-15 year-olds the six principles of circus. No previous experience required!
     
  • Fireworks Fascinator (23 July) – a free craft workshop where kids will use an array of arts and crafts utensils to create a party hat featuring fireworks, led by artist Anney Bounpraseuth.
     
  • Sunrise and Sunsets (20 August) – using 3D impasto paint, artist Anney Bounpraseuth will introduce children to a special “paint sandwich” technique, learning how to create a sunrise or sunset reflected in the water, drawing inspiration from the architecture and patterns of the Sydney Opera House landscape.
     
  • Alien Invasion (11-12 July) – a three-hour school holiday workshop and interactive quest, where 5-8 year-olds will help find a baby alien that was left behind at the Opera House.

For babies (ages 0-2 years old)

  • Lullaby Love (1 July) – an intimate musical experience for babies and their carers, led by Sydney based independent singer-songwriter Angie Who, who will share the power of music to help strengthen infant bond, increase social connection and decrease stress.
     
  • Baby Music Jam (13 June, 18 July & 22 August) Led by Music and Movement teacher, Simona Green, babies aged 0-2 and their carers will be taken through an interactive introduction to music through singing and playing instruments.
     

Thank you to the NSW Government for enabling the Opera House’s Decade of Renewal; our Global Goals partner DETTOL;
and our Centre for Creativity major donors: the Yarranabbe Foundation; Ove Arup Foundation; Turnbull Foundation; Boyarsky family; and The Greatorex Fund.