Maruku Arts offers a dot painting workshop in Yulara, Australia.
Visitors learn about Aboriginal art, symbols, and culture from local artists.
Participants create their own dot paintings and share the stories behind them.
The workshop is suitable for adults and children.
Most reviewers highly recommend the experience, praising its cultural insights and relaxing atmosphere.
One reviewer found the host to be rude.
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David Matthews
August 29, 2024 at 04:49 AM
My wife thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. Me, however…. I was just passing by and thought I’d stop and take a photo of my wife enjoying her ‘art time’ in Uluṟu. I stood at the back, expecting to be there a minute or two before the painting started. There was an introductory brief underway and the host stopped to ask if she could help me. I said I was just here to take a photo of my wife. She continued for a minute and attention was brought to me once again to ask again if she could help me! I said I would only be a minute to then be told “if you are listening, you are participating”. Embarrassing and rude for both myself and my wife. I’d paid $80 for my wife to attend and I thought I had adequately explained what I was there for (and I couldn’t hear or see from where I was standing). Now, there were about 20 people present, and a painting created by the indigenous elder sold for $200. Approx $1800 for a 90 min workshop and the host had the audacity to get crinkly because I would benefit without paying for standing nearby for a few minutes. Seriously? If I was thinking about attending later, that would change my mind. Be aware, this exploitation is all about the money!!
Lisa Beerman
August 29, 2024 at 03:37 AM
Loved this!! It was great to hear the story of Dot Painting and watch an indigenous woman create hers and explain the meaning behind it. Then we got to create our own and were given a guide on the symbols used. It was fun and easy to do. I loved seeing everyone's together and getting a photo of the all 25 of ours!
Suzanne Manderson
August 1, 2024 at 09:06 AM
Dot painting workshop. Great experience, came away from it with better cultural understanding. Thankyou to Tina for sharing her knowledge. Only wish we had more time to put into the artwork. Thanks
Liz Patane
June 8, 2024 at 11:28 AM
My friend and I had an amazing time. The experience of dot painting was great but what we learned about the culture and the meaning behind the paintings was priceless. Would highly recommend this….absolutely awesome.
Jess Atkins
May 30, 2024 at 01:38 PM
This workshop was incredibly special, as normally non-indigenous people wouldn't be able to do dot painting. We were taken through some of the aspects of dot painting and the stories behind them by an Anangu mother and daughter, with heartfelt translations by Sophie. We were so privileged to be part of this, and were then encouraged to think of a story to base our paintings on. At the end we shared our paintings and stories, and we were even given more time to finish them off if we wanted. It was a very relaxing and educational experience!