Weaving Waters Lab in Naarm | Expression of Interest



Join us in a Transformative Co-Creative Journey!

We invite artists, environmental activists, cultural practitioners, and community members to participate in a collaborative art lab—a transdisciplinary project using a Situated Weaving Methodology. This LAB will take place at Merri Creek and Balam Balam Place in Merri-bek, starting on 2nd May 2025.

About the Methodology

The Situated Weaving methodology fosters artistic co-creation by exploring the cultural, social, and ecological dimensions of art. This approach prioritises place-based responses, deepens artistic engagement with community and environment, and shifts the focus from the final artwork to the creative process itself.

Through community-driven artistic production, we aim to:

  • Cultivate co-creation as an inclusive and relational process

  • Explore socio-ecological challenges

  • Make space for diverse voices 

  • Experiment with new tools and techniques for co-creation

This feminist eco-social approach embraces collaboration, reciprocity and care, integrating diverse perspectives, and knowledge systems.

Why Participate?

Participants will engage in:

  • Shared storytelling and collective memory practices
  • Embodied activities and co-creation techniques
  • Situated dialogues, walking explorations, and weaving-inspired creative practices

This project is shaped by the Colectiva Abya Yala practice, which intertwines Latin American ecofeminisms, migrant identities, and First Nations’ Caring for Country knowledge. Special guests include:

Who Can Apply?

We welcome up to 10 community members from diverse backgrounds and disciplines willing to participate and commit to collaborative, process-based, and socially-engaged art explorations.

Each selected participant will receive a contribution of AU$200 as a symbolic acknowledgment of their time, commitment, and creative input. This amount is intended to honour the collaborative work and encourage deeper engagement throughout the process.

Key Activities 

  • Preparatory Session: Online gathering introducing the project’s vision and methodology.
  • Situated Dialogues: Engaging with local knowledge holders and art practitioners in meaningful cultural places and ecological systems.
  • Weaving Explorations: Mapping, storytelling, relational thinking, and embodied experiences.
  • Co-Weaving Sessions: Collective reflection on insights gathered throughout the process.
  • Sharing Findings: A final public event at Balam Balam Place, as part of the Blakademy Art Public Program 2025, showcasing the collaborative journey.

Key Dates

  1. Friday 2nd May (evening) - 2-hour online preparatory session
  2. Friday 9th May (morning) - walking session at Merri Creek
  3. Saturday 10th May (full day) - collaborative session at Balam Balam Place
  4. Saturday 17th May (full day) - collaborative session at Balam Balam Place and Merri Creek
  5. Sunday 18th May (morning) - final collaborative session at Balam Balam Place
  6. Date TBC - Public event at Balam Balam Place

Expected Outcomes

​​By taking part in the Weaving Waters Lab, participants will:

  • Build meaningful connections with like-minded artists, cultural practitioners, and community members through shared creative experiences.

  • Deepen and connect with artistic approaches by exploring co-creation methods rooted in caring practices, reciprocity, and place-based engagement.

  • Learn and integrate diverse perspectives, including Latin American ecofeminisms, migrant experiences, and First Nations’ knowledge systems. 

  • Participate in guided walks, creative labs, and storytelling sessions that strengthen their connection to the local environment and community. 

  • Gain tools and inspiration to apply this collaborative methodology in their own work or collective projects.

  • Enhance their visibility as co-creators in a socially-engaged, transdisciplinary art process. 

  • Contribute and share in an open community gathering that celebrates the journey and collective insights developed throughout the project.

How to Apply

Interested participants are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) HERE.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 20th April 2025


EXPRESSION OF INTEREST LINK BELOW

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKMwsgzBk6i5LUr0wJJ9B-AAcdvI0bDPnSmZLII3H1weY7BQ/viewform


For further details contact: colectivadeabyayala@gmail.com


We look forward to ‘Weaving’ our stories, insights, and creative visions together!