Imaginarium Collage Workshop (ages 8-100 Years)

DROP-IN/TASTER session for contemporary collage for the creatively curious.



3 hours Location Eltham Class size 1 to 10 (public classes), 6 to 20   $57 - $65 (Earlybird price of $57 applies if you book into a public session 10+ days ahead, otherwise $65 per guest when you book for 1 guest, $63/guest for 2 guests, $60/guest for 3 guests, $57/guest for 4+ guests) (Afterpay available)

Yay, school holiday dates now added for Contemporary Collage, Gelli-Plate Printing & Polaroid Emulsion Lift Workshops!
Drop in during one of our collage sessions in Eltham (Melbourne) and try one out in this dream-like studio - either by yourself or with your bestie or family.
Gift yourself or a loved one(s) this golden opportunity to indulge in the hands-on therapeutic discipline of contemporary collage. 
With this session, you invest in a bit of time for yourself in a beautiful place totally devoted to imagination.
Before further reading, please note that if you've done one of these collage sessions before in the Storyholding Art Studio at Montsalvat, please consider one of the following 2 options:
Option 1: Arrive 30min anytime after the official start time of this session so you can skip the intro & instructions (if you're bringing a new friend, just have a wander around the grounds and come in after the intro).
Option 2: Why not save and invest in the 4-pack or 8-pack Art Bundle (includes collage, gelli-plate printing, Polaroid Emulsion Lifting and Vision Board workshops), as it will entitle you to a much wider range of choices and analog art sessions - a way better deal for returnees, going forward (please see their listings). It also makes a great gift for an artistic friend!
Come experiment with contemporary collage just to have a taste, or join more regularly (see 4-pack or 8-pack Art Bundle listings), maybe work on a masterpiece, project, gift or concept (for example, a calendar) over a span of time?
Whether it’s just a quick piece of art or a long-term project, you’ll have access to a unique and extensive range of resources at your very whim with other like-minded curious & adventurous spirits.
What you will learn:
Have you ever been told not to cut up books? In these classes, you’ll be encouraged to do just that! But instead of destroying things, you’ll get to create a whole new world of your own – almost like a dream, but on paper.
Mozy into this dream-like studio by yourself and/or with your tribe, bestie(s), family/friends or loved ones and surprise yourself with the always-unexpected result of the most unique piece(s) of art straight from your imagination.
You’ll be presented with an eclectic collection of a specially curated selection of paper ephemera, such as vintage children’s books, encyclopaedias, National Geographics, calendars from olde, etc.
I will introduce you to a step-by step-approach.
The more you gain confidence, the more techniques you’ll learn and, with that, comes more freedom. Nevertheless, I’ll always be there to gently guide you from whichever level you’re at, without being invasive.
You’ll get to cut out only the parts that resonate with you, that matter and stand out to you. The result will be something uniquely you.
Your space:
You’ll be sitting in the dreamiest, whimsical studio on the planet, situated on the expansive grounds of Montsalvat, which has charming, old European architecture, reminiscent of medieval South of France. Montsalvat is Australia’s oldest continuously operating artist collective.
Storyholding Art Studio is a healing and incredibly calming-find-yourself-sort of place – one that makes people leave with a fulfilled smile and sense of connection.
Be part of the hands-on movement now and join a community where we gather around the proverbial fire of art-making.
Basic tea/coffee facilities will be available & often some light snacks, too. You’re more than welcome to bring your own food/ plate to share if you have very specific dietary requirements, however, we respectfully request that dishes remain vegetarian..

Upcoming dates for Imaginarium Collage Workshop (ages 8-100 Years)

Times are Melbourne time. Dates and prices as of 22 Oct 2026, 3:02pm; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

18 upcoming dates between 22 Oct 2026 and 17 Dec 2026.

  • Thu 22 Oct 2026, 3:45pm-6:45pm, $65 per person
  • Wed 28 Oct 2026, 10:15am-1:15pm, $65 per person
  • Thu 29 Oct 2026, 3:45pm-6:45pm, $65 per person
  • Wed 4 Nov 2026, 10:15am-1:15pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Sat 7 Nov 2026, 1:30pm-4:30pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Wed 11 Nov 2026, 10:15am-1:15pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Thu 12 Nov 2026, 3:45pm-6:45pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Wed 18 Nov 2026, 10:15am-1:15pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Thu 19 Nov 2026, 3:45pm-6:45pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Sat 21 Nov 2026, 1:30pm-4:30pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Wed 25 Nov 2026, 10:15am-1:15pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Thu 26 Nov 2026, 3:45pm-6:45pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Wed 2 Dec 2026, 10:15am-1:15pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Thu 3 Dec 2026, 3:45pm-6:45pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Wed 9 Dec 2026, 10:15am-1:15pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Thu 10 Dec 2026, 3:45pm-6:45pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Wed 16 Dec 2026, 10:15am-1:15pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
  • Thu 17 Dec 2026, 3:45pm-6:45pm, $57 per person (early-bird)
What you'll get
  • Free entry to Montsalvat.
  • ALL materials included (except lefties, please bring your scissors along!)
  • Basic tea/coffee-making facilities
  • A colourful folder of your choice to take your art home in.
Read more details   
Knowledge required
Beginner-friendly to expert. All levels are welcome.
What to bring
  • If you’re a leftie, please bring along your leftie scissors.
  • Bucketloads of curiosity!
  • OPTIONAL
  • Water bottles are highly encouraged. Please make sure they can safely close to avoid spillage on paper materials.
  • You’re welcome to BYO plate/preferred drink(s) to share.
  • Any words (poems, lyrics, letters, literature) and photos/prints/paper materials you may wish to incorporate into your art piece. However, the wide, eclectic selection of visual material we’ll provide will be more than enough if you choose to come as a clean slate (the latter highly recommended)!
Add-on available for this class
  • Collage Mystery Pack ($25)
You can add this when you book (optional).
Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, birthday or hens party.

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 8 years old).

Adult accompaniment is not required.

This experience would also be a fun gift for her, gift for mum, Xmas gift or gift for couples.

Location

Storyholding Art Studio (White Barn Studio) - Montsalvat Arts Community, Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham VIC

Just google "Montsalvat How to get there" and it will provide you with all the relevant information.

Your teacher can also travel within 50 kms of Eltham, to a venue of your choice for a private class.

Imaginarium Collage Workshop (ages 8-100 Years) location
Verified reviews

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Recent reviews of Imaginarium Collage Workshop (ages 8-100 Years)

  • 5/5 from Di Alphonso, attended Oct 2026: Rochelle’s class was so lovely
  • 5/5 from Larissa Telley, attended Jul 2026: Return visitor to this class. Rochelle is just divine & gently guides you through techniques and ideas for creating all sorts of collages, even for the most artistically challenged. Time flew in her beautiful studio ️
  • 5/5 from Kate Holbery, attended Jul 2026: I attended this workshop solo and was warmly welcomed. It was a lovely and relaxed session in a beautiful studio. Rochelle the teacher was wonderful, gently guided us along. There was lots of paper resources available to select from and the time flew by. Highly recommend!
  • 5/5 from Aine Watanabe, attended Jun 2026: The collage class with Rochelle was uplifting, supportive and welcoming, so much so that mum and I booked further sessions!
  • 5/5 from Del Skinner, attended Jun 2026: Rochelle is bubbly, friendly and welcoming. We were shown all the materials available and directed to explore and make artwork with no rules. Monsalvat is a magical and inspiring place to work.
  • 5/5 from Lucy Rose, attended Apr 2026: Rochelle had a 3 hour imaginarium workshop which was so lovely and I got to take a collage home
  • 5/5 from Julie Roberts, attended Mar 2026: Such a beautiful class and teacher. Wonderful space and environment! We booked to celebrate a couple of family birthdays and had adult and young adult children with us who enjoyed the process and experience also. Such a special way to celebrate and create a memento of the day. We felt very welcomed and loved the inspiration to create on the day and for future projects. Thanks for making this a special day Rochelle. Julie and family. :)Xx
  • 5/5 from Darinka Matijasevic, attended Mar 2026: Loved the Venue at Montsalvat, being surrounded by all the colours, inspiration and the energy in the room, will be back to continue the Imaginarium Collage Workshop. Rochelle beautifully explained the techniques and speaks with passion, so much knowledge, a great day for all especially with like minded people. All the materials were provided, it was endless Thank you Rochelle
  • 5/5 from Heather-Lorraine (Chook) Plaizier, attended Mar 2026: Great intro, clear explanations & good wide range of examples shown, cool starter activity then free rein to have a go. Lovely studio & knowledgeable super-enthusiastic artist as the teacher. My only negatives: the chairs are super uncomfortable (I have a disability) & the session length made it hard to get an image underway (so class is obviously much better suited as a multiple attendance/return many times venture than as a one off)….If it’s just a one off for others maybe a smaller, easier to complete, artwork/project concept could be provided as a few backgrounds/ideas to choose from in order to be able to complete in the time frame for people new to collage?
  • 5/5 from Phatcharaphan Tuesroi, attended Feb 2026: So much fun at the Afternoon Imaginarium Collage Workshop on Valentine’s Day with my friends. I’d definitely go again!
  • 5/5 from Sunday McLellan, attended Feb 2026: This was my second time attending Rochelle’s collage class. The venue is lovely and Rochelle’s studio is so cute. She’s incredibly creative and interesting sparking great ideas and inspiration for your collages. Plus, while you’re at Montsalvat, you might even get see the cutest wildlife roaming around
  • 5/5 from Alyssa Potter, attended Jan 2026: Rochelle is the most patient, supportive and enthusiastic teacher. My daughter (8 yo) and I LOVED the class and can’t wait to come back! Me for more collage and her for some Gelli printing! Thanks so much for being so fabulous and welcoming ️
  • 5/5 from Stephanie Adams, attended Jan 2026: A fantastic and very special class that I keep coming back to, it's a calm, safe, creative and fun space. Rochelle the teacher is delightful and very connected to all things Art and Montsalvat. Come for the creativity and stay for the vibes and the stunning location.
  • 5/5 from Ella Baughan, attended Jan 2026: Rochelle is a very talented collage artist who helps you work through a collage design that you choose. There's many books to cut from. It's a fun activity with a friend or solo. Would recommend to give it a try!
  • 5/5 from Daisy Baldi, attended Jan 2026: Great session with Rochelle. She was such a delight. My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed learning and creating, it was such an inspiring class and really got the creative juices flowing! The south african tea and additional snacks were a welcomed treat. Montsalvat is a gorgeous location too - so was lovely to create in such a beautiful setting.
  • 5/5 from Kerry Lade, attended Jan 2026: I really enjoyed this class with such a beautiful and talented lady. I was able to complete a collage piece I had started and was given lots of ideas and inspiration. The venue was amazing to see.
  • 5/5 from Flora Bee, attended Dec 2025: - simply because I like collage - that collages can be printed - enthusiastic and had a nice presence about her - venue and surrounds warmly inviting - conversations among group and getting a folder to take home
  • 5/5 from Karen Winter, attended Nov 2025: I thoroughly enjoyed the Imaginarium Collage Workshop however if you are seeking child free time do be aware that the workshop is open to children from as young as the age of 8. Rochelle is bright and bubbly and keen to share her knowledge and enjoyment of the collage process. Lots of her work is on display for inspiration. A bonus was being able to arrive early to have time to wander around the grounds of Montsalvat.
  • 5/5 from Narelle Wilson, attended Nov 2025: Great venue, resources and instructor. Very inviting and welcoming. Lots of inspiration provided and great ideas.
  • 5/5 from Katerina Jerecic, attended Nov 2025: Such a special afternoon! Rochelle excels as a facilitator; she guides the workshop with warmth, encouragement and clear instructions. We'll be coming back.
  • 5/5 from Gill Wightman, attended Nov 2025: Lovely teacher, really enjoyed the experience in beautiful surroundings. Lots of resources to choose from to make your collage with some helpful tips and tricks to help the process. Also a nice icebreaker at the beginning to help get the creativity flowing.
  • 5/5 from Margie Samai, attended Nov 2025: Rochelle was inspirational and a lovely teacher who opened my eyes to the creative world of collage. And it was so much fun! And therapeutic! Now I have two pieces I can proudly display on my wall. Highly recommend Rochelle's class.
  • 5/5 from Louise Hofer, attended Oct 2025: Rochelle was warm and welcoming, such a beautiful space and experience, I will be back
  • 5/5 from Elizabeth Kerby-Eaton, attended Oct 2025: Good fun, very therapeutic. Rochelle was an engaging and bubbly tutor. Three generations of a family enjoyed it as a great activity based outing.
  • 5/5 from Alana Rough, attended Sep 2025: A wonderfully creative morning for all ages. Rochelle was the perfect host and we enjoyed getting crafty together as a family in such a unique setting. Learnt some new skills to take home too as well as memories and collage art. Thanks Rochelle!
  • 5/5 from Gemma Carr, attended Sep 2025: My 11 year old did her first collage workshop with Rochelle today. Her first words were "Mum, can I come back again!?" as I came to collect her. Everything Rochelle does is a softly weaved experience of creativity, ideas and warmth. To step into her studio is other world-ly, truly. Thank you Rochelle, for providing this nourishing artistic experience for my lil' creator. I can see her skills and confidence have grown after just 1 visit. We will be back!
  • 5/5 from Nikky Brown, attended Aug 2025: This class was a birthday treat for myself and it was absolutely wonderful. Rochelle was warm and bubbly and so welcoming, as were the other ladies in the class, and the 2 hours simply flew by. If you are looking for a class to ignite your creativity and sooth your soul, this is it.
  • 5/5 from Miranda Addison, attended Jul 2025: Defiantly recommend this class for any skill range of collage and creative types! Beautiful location within the lovely grounds of pretty cottages and spacious landscape of Monsalvat. My mum and I had a great time with lots of helpful tips and inspiration from Rochelle.
  • 5/5 from Billie Kemp, attended Jul 2025: It was a beautiful playful atmosphere, Rochelle made us feel so welcome! I hope to be back!
  • 5/5 from Georgina Tangey, attended Jul 2025: My son, ages 9, and I attended a collage workshop in the school holidays. His review is, "it was really good. I had a variety of options to choose from and I knew what to do. I also loved the snacks. The building was really nice and cosy." As the adult I was pleased with how quickly Rochelle made us feel welcome and safe to create. Would recommend this workshop to anybody in the suggested age range. Lovely time spent exploring the possibility collage.
Your teacher

Storyholding
Storyholding

5.0 (62)
female Women-owned

My name is Rochelle Van Der Merwe, a multidisciplinary artist with a special interest in storytelling through the written word, contemporary collage, gelli plate printing and fine art photography. I practise and teach from my gorgeously enchanting mudbrick studio at the legendary Montsalvat (Eltham), which is Australia's oldest, still-running arts commune.
As an Eltham (Melbourne)-based artist, I've been a fine art, intimate events and portrait photographer since 2013 and a contemporary collage artist since 2020.
Born and raised in a small Zululand town in South Africa in the mid-70’s, I found solace and beauty in books, and the surrounding wild beaches and bushveld, a constant whilst growing up in a political landscape I could really never make sense of.
My work creates a portal to a wondrous, fantastical world that celebrates the powerful healing nature of simple, mostly every-day pleasures, transcending external societal values, such as status, race and gender.
Apart from national South African newspaper, The Rapport, my portraiture photography has also been featured in Australian media, such as The Age, The Weekend Australian Review and The Big Issue.
I've also been a two-time winner of Montsalvat’s Art Festival Photography competition (2015 & 2017).
With two solo exhibitions since (2022 & 2024), I have also enjoyed taking part in multiple group exhibitions and events.

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