ASTARTE STUDIO PRESENTS ... A CREATIVE CULTURE WEEKEND

Get set for three days of creative immersion in workshops, projects, and events across art, dance, drumming, videography and photography at The Imaginarium in Shellharbour Village this December.

All tickets available from 1st October. Strictly limited places in all workshops and events!
WORKSHOP INFORMATION
Click on the images for more information and to go directly to the booking link.

FRIDAY 11TH DECEMBER

1.00pm-3.00pm
BLUE LOTUS IN PASTEL AND MIXED MEDIA with Kylie
Immerse yourself in the world of Ancient Egypt, blending pastel with mixed media magic to create your own blue lotus masterpiece..
Create a beautiful chalk pastel drawing of the rare blue lotus, taking inspiration from Pharaonic stylisation.
All materials provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own.
Cost $35pp (plus eventbrite fees)
Limited to 8 places
5.30pm-6.45pm
IMPROVISED COMBO'S WORKSHOP & CREATIVE VIDEO PROJECT with Mandylynne
In this workshop Mandylynne will be sharing how she creates combos for choreography. Participants will map out a piece of music and create dance combinations to fit in with the music, ending up with a choreography.
This is an interactive workshop and the dance combinations will come from the group so be prepared to put your dance ideas forward. All bellydance styles welcome.
What to bring: Notebook and pen
Cost: $35pp
6.45pm-8.00pm
FABRICATED FUSION  CREATIVE VIDEO PROJECT with Kylie
​Dive into the elements of fire and water to create a visually unique group dance video.
This workshop is a unique opportunity to learn, play, and create a unique routine inspired by the elements of fire and water.
We will be incorporating 2 x 9m veils to create movement, shapes, and frames, with simple and dynamic body movements and poses.
In just 75 minutes we will have enough footage recorded for Kylie to create a truly unique video reel of our creative collaboration.
Cost $35pp.
*Upon signing up, participants will receive a short video of selected techniques and combinations to practice prior to the workshop as well as information on what to wear.

SATURDAY 12TH DECEMBER

10.00am-12.00pm
RECYCLE & RE-BEAUTIFY with Mandylynne
Bring in your broken jewellery and flowers and let’s make something beautiful and useful.
The workshop will go through designing your individual project, consider if there is any issues with the design or potential issues with construction and finally you will end up with a hair clip or brooch you can use.
Bring enough bits for multiple projects.
What to bring: Broken jewellery, chain, buttons, flowers, hot glue gun. (If you have: plyers and scissors)
What will be supplied: Hair clips, brooches and fabric material for backing
1.00pm-3.30pm
BEAUTIFUL BIOMORPHIC ISLAMIC ART with Kylie
Explore the beauty, colour and nature inspired designs of Islamic Art in this creative workshop
Join Kylie for an exploration of beautiful biomorphic Islamic Art through the creation of a unique design panel inspired by Islamic artist Esra Alhamal.
We'll spend the first hour focusing on creating our design and then render it in watercolour paint for beautiful effects.
All materials provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own if you have a geometry set, watercolour paints and brushes..
​Cost $35pp
3.45pm-5.45pm
CREATIVE BELLY DANCE PORTRAITS​ with Donna
Get ready to strike your best pose and bring some serious belly dance vibes to life in this fun portrait session!
​Belly Dance Portraits
Join us at The Imaginarium on December 12, 2026 at 3:45 PM (AEDT) for a delightful opportunity to capture fun and graceful portraits of you before our performance evening. 
This in-person event celebrates the artistry and elegance of your belly dance costuming through stunning portrait photography.
Get ready to shine and create lasting memories in a vibrant and supportive atmosphere. 
Don’t miss this chance to showcase your unique style and grace!
An end of year celebration of the beauty and diversity of belly dance with Astarte Studio and Birds of Paradise Belly Dance.
Immerse yourself in an evening of belly dance, fusion, and beyond, with performances by teachers and students from Astarte Studio, Birds of Paradise Belly Dance, and guests.
​This is an intimate, recital style event with only 35 seats available. Cost: $15pp (Plus Eventbrite fees). Doors open from 5.45pm. Show starts 6.10pm.

SUNDAY 13TH DECEMBER

10.00am-12.00pm
TURKISH LANTERNS IN WATERCOLOUR AND MIXED MEDIA with Kylie
Get creative with watercolors and mixed media to bring beautiful Turkish lanterns to life in this fun, hands-on workshop.
Create a beautiful artwork depicting Turkish lanterns against the night sky.
We'll be looking at easy ways to draw a design, drop in watercolour, and add mixed media and embellishments to bring the lanterns to life.
Leave with a beautiful and unique artwork that captures the beauty of Turkish art.
All materials supplied, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
Cost $35pp

​
1.00pm-2.30pm
POCKET MAGIC - CAPTURE THE DANCE - PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BELLY DANCERS with Donna
Great dance photography isn't about having the most expensive phone camera. It's about learning to see !
In this fun, hands-on 90-minute workshop, photographer Donna from Me and the Sea Photography will introduce her L.I.G.H.T. Method, a simple approach to creating better photographs with the phone you already carry.
Learn to find flattering light, photograph movement, anticipate those wonderful split-second dance moments, take better portraits of fellow dancers and capture the atmosphere and story of a dance event.
You'll photograph, experiment, edit and finish by sharing a favourite image you've created during the workshop.
Bring your phone, your curiosity and your willingness to play.
Important: This is not a workshop on how to use your phone camera. Please make sure you already know the basics of your phone before attending.
3.00pm-4.30pm
​BEAT YOUR OWN DRUM with Kylie - FREE EVENT!
Drummers and Dancers!!!
Let's dance and drum up a storm to finish our year with a bang in this fun and FREE workshop and jam.

Kylie will guide you through some simple drills and games, and lead you into a fun jam with call and response. 

Bring your Darbuka/tabla, riq/tambourine, dof/frame drum, sagat/finger cymbals, or any other percussive or musical instrument.
Open to all ages and all levels.
If you don't have a drum, don't worry! I have plenty of spares! Just let me know the week prior.