n.b. all below events now cancelled:

Time: 11 am to 1pm except for Tuesday 18, 10am to 1pm

Events include:

• We Are Mermaids with Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu, 11 am to 12 pm and 1 to 2 pm on Monday 17 January – In this arts and craft activity children will take inspiration from the mermaid story depicted in the bark paintings of Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu, a contemporary Yolŋu artist from Yirrkala, North-East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory whose work is the subject of the NGV Kids exhibition The Gecko and the Mermaid: Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu and Her Sister. The activity encourages young artists to draw a self-portrait of themselves as a mermaid and create a three-dimensional diorama of an ocean-inspired world where a mermaid would live.
• Storytime with 1, 2, 3 Geckos and Turtles: A Counting Book for Kids, Suitable for toddlers and young families, 11 am to 12 pm and 1 to 2 pm on - Monday 17 January. Venues will host storytime sessions for children aged 1 – 6 years old with readings of 1, 2, 3 Geckos and Turtles: A Counting Book for Kids written by Yolŋu artist Ms N Yunupiŋu and her granddaughter Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs and published in conjunction with The Gecko and the Mermaid: Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu and Her Sister. The book will take young readers on a counting adventure to Arnhem Land, spotting animals on Country and learning Yolŋu Matha, the language of the Yolŋu people.
• NGV Teens – Styling a Look with Aurie Indianna, two, one hour sessions, 10 am and 11.30 am on Tuesday 18 January – Melbourne-based fashion stylist and creative director Aurie Indianna has created an activity sheet for teens to learn about becoming a stylist, working behind the scenes of a photoshoot and styling celebrities.
• NGV Teens – Shooting in the Dark with Tom Blachford, two, one hour sessions, 10 am and 11.30 am on Tuesday 18 January – Melbourne-based photographer Tom Blachford has designed a how-to guide for photography enthusiasts to learn his techniques for composing a photograph and transforming an image from day to night using easily accessible apps on a smartphone.
• Possum-skin cloaks with Maree Clarke. 11 am to 12 pm and 1 to 2 pm on – Wednesday 19 and Friday 21 January. Maree Clarke is a Yorta Yorta/ Wamba Wamba/ Mutti Mutti / Boonwurrung woman. She makes art to connect with her culture and she shares it with her family, friends and community to keep culture strong for the next generation. Maree has created the possum-skin cloak using sixty-three possum pelts! In the activity, children will map out their own places and pathways of importance to them.
• Paper Jewels, 11 am to 12 pm and 1 to 2 pm on Thursday 20 January– Drawing inspiration from the ornate jewellery found on display at the NGV this activity will show families how to create paper necklaces and bracelets using craft materials and adorn them with imagery from jewellery and accessories in the NGV Collection.