The Easter Walking Art Retreat at Johanna Manor in the Otways, Gadubanud Country, was a wonderful time of walking, making, talking, eating delicious food (Julian was head chef), and more walking and making. A big thank you to Amy Tsilemanis and Julian Potter for welcoming us to their beautiful property. They are the 'hosts with the most!'

Twelve of us stayed at the beautiful Johanna Manor where we walked with and learned from Richard Collopy, a local artist, Elder and Custodian of Gadubanud Country. We walked a section of the Great Ocean Walk in the rain. There were several artist’s talks, a breathing workshop, a dramatic reading, an environmentally friendly printmaking workshop, a writing workshop, morning yoga and two walkshops. It was a special time of fun, creative inspiration, and friendship.

The Easter Retreat was a first-time event and experiment for the owners of Johanna Manor and for the Australian Walking Artists. Amy and I met at the Walking Art conference in Prespa and we wanted to recreate a similar walking art experience (on a much smaller scale) in Australia. As some of you may have seen on Instagram, the experiment was a great success. Everyone left Johanna Manor asking if we could do this again next year.

Explorations and creative responses of Australian Walking Artists Easter gathering in the Otways, regional Victoria. March 31st to April 3rd 2024.