Saturday 23rd September 2023 to Sunday 24th September 2023
Spring felt like a great time to test the waters with our first series of workshops - where like with our long lunches we bring in interesting and passionate people from around the world to showcase the valley and work with the amazing produce and people already here. Each of our course offerings come with a delicious morning tea and hearty lunch, served with tasty wines and beers. The courses offered to choose from for this workshop weekend were: 2 Day Plein Air Painting w/ Archibald Finalist Kirsty Neilson 1 Day Fire Cooking Master Class (Sat or Sun) w/ QLD based Terra Firma 1 Day Silver Smith (Sat or Sun) w/ Marissa Ziesing Head Jeweller at Holly Ryan 1 Day Bee Keeping (Sat or Sun) w/ Victoria based Honey Fingers 1 Day Black Smith (Sat or Sun) w/ Kangaroo Valley Forge founder Mark Schwegler 1 or 2 Day Bush Kids Club w/ Drew Longbottom NOTE: Participants may choose to do different courses on Saturday and Sunday
2 Day Plein Air Art Class w/ Archibald Finalist Kirsty Nielson Cost: AU$700.00 per person with all art supplies AU$550.00 without Duration: 9.00am to 3.00pm each day Guests per class: 16 Spend 2 days exploring our 100 acres of pristine subtropical rainforest, sweeping sandstone escarpments and native bush land with 3 x Archibald finalist, Kirsty Nielson. The course will trace Kirsty's own journey in becoming a celebrated plein air painter from more technical drawings through to more abstract interpretations. Kirsty Neilson is known for her captivating and emotive paintings that convey a deep sense of humanity and compassion to her subject. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting, Kirsty's work has been recognised through prestigious Australian art prizes including the Archibald Prize, Portia Geach Memorial Award, Darling Portrait Prize, and Mosman Art Prize. Kirsty's skilful use of colour and technique has earned her a reputation as a fine portrait and landscape artist. What's Included Easel and all paint supplies + 3 Canvases for paintings you will take home + delicious local lunch. Please note discounts can be arranged via email for those who would like to bring their own materials.
1 Day Fire Cooking Master Class w/ Charly Pertet head chef of Terra Firma Cost: AU$350.00 per person Duration: 9.00am to 3.00pm EITHER Saturday 23/9 or Sunday 24/9 / Guests per class: 18 Charly is the name behind renowned restaurants Cuistance in Paris, The French Pan Tree in Yamba and is also a recipient of the Australian Food Guide Chef Hat in 2018, 2019 and 2020. We invite Charly, who has cooked long lunches at Wildwood on multiple occasions to teach his craft in this 6-hour masterclass. During this workshop, you will learn all the basic skills to nail a cook-up over an open fire. COURSE OUTCOMES:
Learn how to start and cook over the open fire at every stage
Learn the different methods of cooking: Smoking / Grilling / Slow roasting / Coal searing
Learn how to prepare different proteins and vegetables to cook them over the fire following different recipes.
Learn about all the different stages of fire and how to cook and manage the heat during the cooking process.
MEALS YOU WILL PREPARE - Hung and slow fire roasted chicken - Reversed seared Beef Rib Eye - Fish Smoked on the wooden plank - Coals roasted pumpkin /burnt balsamic dressing/ feta - Crispy smashed potatoes over fire - Smoked cabbage and Cauliflower slaw, burnt citrus dressing - Smoked Pineapple / Dulce de leche / Cinnamon Crumble YOU WILL TAKE HOME You will enjoy a lunch to feast with matched and enjoy all the delicious food you have helped prepare. You will also take home some sauces and local Kangaroo Valley meats to enjoy at home later (valued at over $100)
1 Day Silversmith Class
w/ Marissa Ziesing Head Jeweller at Holly Ryan
Cost: AU$350.00 per person
Duration: 9.00am to 3.00pm each day / Guests per class: 15
Inclusions: Hands-on experience
Lunch matched with wine / a textured sterling silver bangle / one wide or two thinner textured sterling silver rings
Since 2012 Marissa has worked, studied and exhibited nationally and internationally in the goldsmithing and silversmithing industries. Her style is informed by her training in traditional gold and silversmithing techniques. She honed her craft studying under master jewellers in America and the UK and has been the recipient of various grants and awards as well as working as head jeweller for some of Australia's most prestige brands. She is currently based in Byron Bay and will be visiting the valley especially for this course.
Designed for the beginner/intermediate, this course teaches you basic silver jewellery making skills and techniques. Some of the techniques covered include forming, filing, sawing, hammering, soldering, sizing, texturing and finally polishing.
Each participant will walk away with a textured sterling silver bangle in your choice of thickness and one wide band sterling silver textured ring or two thinner textured rings.
Each class is run personally by Marissa who will guide you through every step of your creative journey in basic silversmithing. Bring yourself or with a couple of friends to share the fun of making something unique and personal.
1 Day Bee Keeping Experience w/ Nic Dowse of Honey Fingers Victoria Cost: AU$300.00 per person Duration: 9.00am to 3.00pm EITHER Saturday 23/9 or Sunday 24/9 Guests per class: 15 Inclusions: Hands-on experience / Lunch matched with wine / Recipes / Honey We have been following Nic and the Honey Fingers story for a couple of years and so excited to have him come visit. He founded the urban beekeeping collective Honey Fingers over a decade ago, with the goal of producing bee-friendly honey, providing education on beekeeping and collaborating with local artists to explore the relationship between bees and humans. Though recently in town presenting for Vivid - this will be Honey Fingers first bee keeping course in NSW and participants will help set up Wildwood's first hives.
Blacksmith Course w/ Mark Schwegler
1 Day Black Smith (Sat or Sun) w/ Kangaroo Valley Forge founder
Cost: AU$350.00 per person
Duration: 9.00am to 3.00pm EITHER Saturday 23/9 or Sunday 24/9
Guests per class: 4
Inclusions: Hands-on experience / Lunch matched with wine / Recipes / Honey
The course will happen on the escarpments edge - bringing in the forge especially for a dramatically beautiful and unique experience in blacksmith basics.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Learn about a forge, how it works & how to create and maintain the 1000 degree + heat. Design and forge your own designs under the guidance of a master blacksmith.
YOU WILL TAKE HOME
An assortment of stainless steel items designed and made by you which could include hooks, garden stands, cuffs
Want to stay at Wildwood House?
Create experiences at Wildwood with our exclusive accommodation. Our Wildwood House offers a luxurious retreat, sleeping up to eight people in beautifully appointed rooms. From the honeymoon master suite to separate rooms for pre-wedding preparations, we ensure that every aspect of your stay is perfect. The house features a full kitchen, allowing you to savour home-cooked meals, and an outdoor pizza oven for a cozy winter gathering. Create cherished memories with your loved. Enquire with us for available dates over the coming months!
BUSH KIDS CLUB FOR THE KIDS AND THEIR FRIENDS OF OUR PARTICIPANTS
Cost: AU$50.00 per child
Duration: 9.30am to 3.00pm EITHER Saturday 23/9 or Sunday 24/9
Guests per class: 16
Wildwood is a place for everyone. We have put a lot of thought into this experience for our younger guests. We would like to give the kids and their friends of our course participants an immersive experience of their own and have worked with Drew Longbottom, our mate and traditional custodian at Wildwood to design and run a separate adventure for kids (ages 6+).
While you study your chosen course, the bush kids club gang will be off on their own adventure but not too far away and close enough to visit by parents but away and separate from what you are up to.
Exploring some magical spots of Wildwood - they will be taken on an expert, locals bush tucker walk through the the fairy bower and a bend in the creek to a secret clearing where other activities will include preparing for a corroboree and ochre face painting and dances that have been done in the Kangaroo Valley for generations. Their ticket includes a simple fire lunch and a real Aussie bush experience. They will be accompanied by a minimum of 2 WWCC accredited adults at all times. With different things planned for each day - kids can come for one or two days.