Are you a university student new to Australia and Melbourne and looking to learn more about First Peoples art, culture and histories?

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) invite you to join us for a series of social and creative programs that offer an engaging and vital grounding in First Peoples cultures.

Cassie Fisher-Patterson is from the Taungurung/Dja Dja Wurrung people from the Kulin Nation. She is a First Peoples artist, jewellery and fashion designer, master weaver, traditional dancer, bushtukka woman and educator. Cassie will introduce you to First Peoples crafts by sharing the art of net weaving to create a Bilang – string bag or dilly bag. This workshop will teach participants an open style weave that can be used to create a functional bag made of jute. Listen, learn, share and weave together. All materials are supplied, including a small weaving kit to take home. Light catering is also provided.

All levels of English are welcome, and no prior knowledge is required. Sessions are free but bookings are essential.

About the Artist
Cassie is extremely passionate about teaching her skills to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students of all ages. Her aim is to give participants the opportunity to learn and understand Aboriginal culture and develop knowledge of both historical and contemporary Aboriginal history.

In 2022, Cassie won the 10th Koorie Art Show City of Melbourne Aboriginal Melbourne Award for her work “Wiinj Baanga (fire carrier)” 2022 which she made using clay, ochre, charcoal, river reeds, sinew, wattle sap, emu fat, crushed shells, resin, hair and cumbungi fibres.