A DEEPLY meaningful creative workshop will take place in the Upper Hunter early next year, blending ancient craft practices with the local landscape and a strong sense of place.
On 31 January and 1 February, participants will gather for a ‘Coffin Weaving’ workshop led by renowned fibre artist Zimmi Forest, who will travel from the Mid North Coast to share her knowledge and skills with the local community.
The workshop begins with the harvesting of Cats Claw Vine from Munni, via Dungog, along the banks of the Williams River.
Participants will then head to Wangat Lodge at Bandon Grove, where the weaving component of the workshop will be held.
Zimmi has been weaving for more than 30 years, working primarily with natural and foraged fibres.
Her practice is grounded in slow, intentional making and a deep respect for traditional handcrafts.
“Working with natural fibres is about slowing down and reconnecting, with the land, with our hands, and with each other,” she said.
“Coffin weaving isn’t about fear or sadness; it’s about care, dignity and understanding our place in the cycle of life.”
Rather than being morbid, coffin weaving is described as a reflective and grounding process that encourages conversations around mortality, sustainability and our connection to nature.
Using invasive Cats Claw Vine, participants will transform a problematic plant into something purposeful and symbolic, while learning age-old weaving techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Workshop organisers say it is quite special to have an artist of Zimmi’s experience travelling to the region to share her practice, and that the setting at Wangat Lodge provides the perfect backdrop for such an immersive experience.
Zimmi’s process and philosophy is helping to demystify the craft and showing how weaving can be both practical and deeply personal.
Tickets are limited and early bookings are encouraged.
More information and ticket sales are available online via Humanitix.
This two-day workshop promises a rare opportunity to slow down, learn a traditional skill, and engage with the natural environment in a thoughtful and creative way.
By Shannon BENTON
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