Griffith Community Centre is organising a second NAIDOC workshop

Griffith Regional Art Gallery hosted the doll-building workshop run by Coleambally artist Kerri Weymouth, with a meditation exercise led by Uncle Jack Charles. Dolls were created with scrap fabric, ribbons, beads, paper and other objects as an exercise in healing and art therapy.

The workshop was in honour of 2021 NAIDOC week and ran with this year's theme of healing. The doll workshops focused on 'healing the inner child' as a therapeutic exercise.

Unfortunately, the workshops ran out of space quickly due to the COVID restrictions limiting allowed numbers. As a result, Griffith Community Centre is organising a follow-up workshop for those who were unable to attend the initial event.

While a date hasn't been set, the centre is working with Kerri Weymouth to find a day in August to return.

Peta Dummett, the coordinator of Griffith Community Centre, said that she would be getting in touch with the people who attended but weren't let in due to the limits.

"It was disappointing to have a reduction in numbers due to COVID restrictions so we are planning another workshop in August."

Ms Dummett added that the event was a significant success.

"It went really well ... I know schools have rung up and asked if we can get Kerri to come in and run workshops."

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Ms Dummett added that she was thrilled with the diverse range of people who came out to the event, represented through the wide variety of dolls made. Many families came down to make dolls together, with all generations represented.

"Everyone created a doll that was their inner child, it was fascinating to see what people came up with ... We had hippy children from the 70s, one of the girls did a mermaid. One boy did a really detailed doll of his favourite football team. There were some great indigenous dolls made," she said.

"It was a really nice communal gathering."

Anyone interested in the follow-up workshops is encouraged to get in touch with the community centre at 6962 4144.

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