Gelli Plate Printing Workshop (ages 12-100yrs)

A Gelli Plate printing art class for the creatively curious.


Storyholding

Storyholding

2 hours

Class size 1 to 10 (public classes), 6 to 20

  $35 - $45 (Earlybird price of $35 applies if you book into a public session 10+ days ahead, otherwise $45 per guest when you book for 1 guest, $43/guest for 2 guests, $40/guest for 3 guests, $35/guest for 4+ guests) (Afterpay available)
Melbourne Activities
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Craft
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Print Making Experience Gifts
About the Class:
Whether it's for a quick try or a weekly dedication to self-care, creative experimentation, or upskilling/furthering/sharing your techniques, how nice would it be to invest a bit of time for yourself in a beautiful art space devoted to imagination?
Come experiment with Gelli Plate printing, where you can learn to play around with creating your own unique patterns and images.
What is Gelli Plate Printing?
A Gelli Plate is a soft silicone plate that allows you to create beautiful prints without a press. In short, these plates allow you to make monoprints without a large press.
Paint is put on a Gelli Plate, then spread out with a brayer. A variety of stencils and other textural objects are placed on the Gelli Plate, removed, and placed on the paper or fabric. This class will provide paper; however, you are more than welcome to bring in plain-coloured fabric to print on (it will just take longer to dry).
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.
What You Will Learn:
This workshop is for ALL levels - from beginner to expert.
If you're a beginner, I'll take you through a step-by-step approach to get you started. This workshop is also for those who would like to carve out some time to expand on or refine their Gelli Plate printing techniques.
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.
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.
Gift yourself or a loved one(s) this golden opportunity to indulge in the hands-on therapeutic discipline of Gelli-Plate printing.
Light refreshments will be available (tea/coffee facilities & often some light snacks, too). You’re more than welcome to bring your own food/plate to share.

Please note: Public dates for this class require at least 2 guests to run. In the unlikely event that we don't reach this number, we'll cancel the class; in this case we'll inform you and allow you to get a refund or reschedule, so please watch your email/SMS one day prior to the class.
What you'll get
  • Free entry to Montsalvat.
  • All materials included (except lefties, please bring your scissors along!)
  • Tea/coffee/snacks (please list any serious dietary requirements)
Knowledge required
Beginner-friendly to expert. All levels are welcome.
What to bring
  • Apron (to protect you from paint)
  • Please wear clothes that may not be too precious to get paint on.
  • If you’re a leftie, please bring along your leftie scissors.
  • Bucketloads of curiosity!
  • OPTIONAL
  • Your own stencils (I'll have plenty available for you)
  • Your own plain-coloured linen to print on
  • Water bottles are highly encouraged. Please make sure they can safely close to avoid spillage on paper materials.
  • Although light refreshments will be provided for sessions that exceed two hours, including basic tea/coffee-making facilities, you’re welcome to BYO plate/preferred drink(s) to share.
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.

This experience would also be a cool gift for her, gift for mum 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

Gelli Plate Printing Workshop (ages 12-100yrs) location
More info

This class is new, and is covered by ClassBento's money-back guarantee.

Your teacher

Storyholding
Storyholding

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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