ASPIR member SESSIONS
These creative sessions are open to ASPIR members.
We coordinate sessions and activities regularly each month and provide a range of experiences and support to members.
Note: There may be an additional cost if a sitter is engaged.
Full Day Tutorial with Ben Winspear
SATURDAY 18 APRIL
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Creative Arts Station
$40 per person
This class is suitable for all artists, from beginners to those with lots of experience. A great refresher course. Ben’s passion is passing on his knowledge to those who attend his classes and workshops.
He seeks to ground students solidly in the traditions of observational drawing and painting with an informed use of quality materials. As a member of the Skill-Based Art program Ben shares a wide range of art knowledge and emphasises the important fundamentals of materials, drawing and learning how to ‘see’.
Bookings essential: SMS or phone Shirley 0410 584 025
Fee: $40 per person. Pay ASPIR BSB 633 000 Account 142 291 616
BYO lunch, notebook, pen or pencil
(Image: benwinspearart.com.au/biography/
Life Drawing
First Monday of the month
CREATIVE ARTS STATION
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
$20 Model fee payable on the day
Please text Jacki 0405721303 if you are planning to come so we can set up the easels
We are now capping the session at 12 participants
Start - 2 February 2026
Ends - 7 December 2026
Suitable for all skill levels, these are untutored sessions with a model. Bring your own paper and drawing tools.
Paper sheets available 20c
We may run some full-day sessions during the year.
(Image: Félix Vallotton, public domain via Wikimedia Commons)
Appraise and connect
Third Wednesday of the month
creative arts station
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Phone Marian Quigley on 0430 274 666 for more information.
Start - 18 February 2026
Ends - 4 December 2026
An opportunity for ASPIR members to meet for lively discussions, ideas and inspiration, and encouragement for works in progress.
Bring work in progress, if you like.
(Image: Beryl King)
Textile art group
SECOND and Fourth saturday of the month
creative arts station
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Phone Shirley Collins on 0410 584 025 for dates and times.
Start - 14 February 2026
Ends - 28 November 2026
Working with all sorts of textiles and a broad range of skills this group meets twice a month. Textile Art Group members create special shared projects and bring in local artisans to teach and inspire.
(Image: Textile from ASPIR photo library)
Portraits
second tuesday of the month
creative arts station
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
$10 MODEL FEE payable on the day
Phone Gay Mosby on 0425 728 323 to reserve your place
Maximum of 12 participants
Start - 10 February 2026
Ends - 8 December 2026
Bring your own materials and enjoy drawing or painting a portrait from life. To cover the cost of the sitter there is a $10 fee payable on the day.
(Image: Rhythms by Joseph La Pira)
Ibis Writers
First Tuesday of the month
VIETNAM VETERANS MUSEUM, NEWHAVEN
1:00 pm - 4:00 PM
Contact Ian Robinson on 0407 250 024 or gurdies@australiaonline.net.au
Start - 3 February 2026
Ends - 1 December 2026
NB: 10 November instead of 3 November due to Cup Day
New members are welcome at Ibis - we cater for novice writers and those with plenty of experience.
If you revel in the written word – or would like to – consider joining Ibis Writers. Members meet at 1pm on the first Tuesday of each month (except Easter and Melbourne Cup Day).
At the meetings members read from their work in progress and receive support and suggestions from the others. Work includes the latest instalment of ongoing fiction and memoirs, short stories, children’s books and poetry.
Lively discussion is guaranteed, as writers provide constructive feedback to each other. This often leads to debate about topics of interest. The writing shared may be funny, poignant, thought-provoking, informative and stimulating. There’s precedent for the occasional tear and there is plenty of encouragement.
(Image: FA Barboza on Unsplash)
en Plein Air
Third Monday of the month
Locations vary
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (some times may vary)
Phone Froney Ward on 0438 592 305 for the location if it's not listed below.
This group provides an informal session where artists meet in the local landscape to paint or draw - weather permitting. Please bring all you need with you.
This is an open group, so please bring a friend. All are welcome.
Locations may change due to the weather.
2026
16 February - Miranda & Albert’s garden, 1 Ocean Grove, San Remo (parking in carpark near Foreshore Caravan Park)
16 March - San Remo Back Beach
20 April - 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM at Phillip Island Cemetery Bushland, Coghlan Road
8 May - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Gurdies Winery, 215 Gurdies-St Helier Road The Gurdies. A special opportunity to capture autumn. Carpooling may be possible.
18 May - 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM at The Farm, Churchill Island. An entry fee is charged to enter the farm. You may like to consider purchasing a yearly Nature Park pass that allows access to all of the island's nature parks.
(Winter break)
21 September - Phillip Island Community Garden (PICAL) 119 Settlement Rd Cowes
19 October - The wetlands on the drive into the Cowes cemetery, Coughlan Rd
16 November - Jenny’s Farm, 265 Newhaven Road, Rhyll
7 December - Location TBA
(Image: The Wave by Miranda Sage)