We have set up a fundraising campaign with the Australian Cultural Fund.
Here is the link:
https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2E9q000000DPDW/weaving-water-yarun
All donations are tax deductible and our campaign is open for 6 months to allow to us to evolve our partnerships along the way.
Don’t forget to submit your EoI if you would like to register early!
Weaving Water @ Yarun explores the concepts of water, relational ways of being and connectivity. It is an in-person and virtual residency program scheduled between 27 November and 8 December 2023 on Yarun (Bribie Island), Queensland Australia.
Weaving Water @ Yarun will bring together scientists, knowledge holders, technologists and creatives to work collaboratively, with a focus on linking diverse knowledges to co-create across disciplines and meditate on the themes of ecological restoration, water and the more-than-human.
Concept development funding provided by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) through Moreton Bay Regional Council.
In 2026 we are very excited to announce Treecreate Studio will be facilitating three Weaving Water residencies.
Weaving Water @ Vanuatu (28 September to 2 October 2026 TBC) brings together Sandy Sur and the Leweton Cultural Experience with Treecreate and the evolving Weaving Water community. (6 places available).
Weaving Water: Loom (5 to 12 October 2026). This is an intensive program focused on co-creating an ephemeral work for the Bribie Island Nature Festival. (6 places will be offered for this residency).
Weaving Water @ Yarun 2026 (30 November to 7 December 2026) explores the concepts of water, relational ways of being and connectivity. It is an in-person residency program on Yarun (Bribie Island), Queensland Australia. (14 places available)
All of the residencies are open for applications and EoIs will be reviewed by a peer panel as we are anticipating many applications.
Building on the transformational Weaving Water @ Yarun residencies in 2023 and 2025, Weaving Water will bring together scientists, knowledge holders, technologists and creatives to work collaboratively, with a focus on linking diverse knowledges to co-create across disciplines and meditate on the themes of climate change, ecological restoration, water and the more-than-human.
To register an Expression of Interest is $55 AUD. This is a non-refundable registration fee.
Expected costs of residencies (not including travel) :
We are seeking funding support to cover accomodation and meal costs on behalf of participants.
As part of the EoI process we invite applicants to join one of our zoom community calls which where some of the finer details of the program are co-designed by the participants leading up to the residencies.
Once you have submitted your EoI please submit payment for the registration fee by clicking below.
All funds raised support the administration and management of the Weaving Water programs.
Weaving Water @ Yarun 2025: Creativity, care and connection after the storm
on 24 November 2025, just days before the start of Weaving Water @ Yarun, a devastating storm tore through Bribie Island. Trees were uprooted across the island, power was lost in many areas for up to six days, leaving human and the more-than-human community in shock. As clean-up efforts continued, uncertainty hung over whether a creative residency focused on water, ecology and connection could go ahead at all. The grounds at the Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation Centre had seen a lot of tree damage, along with many areas of the island, in particular Woorim.
Here are some of the wonderful moments captured over the 11 days ❤
Against this uncertain backdrop, Weaving Water @ Yarun 2025 did go ahead — not unchanged, but deeply shaped by what the island had just experienced. With many of our community members contributing to the 11 day program, it was important for people to be able to still talk to insurers, clean up debris and recalibrate after the storm. Also some of our sites were not accessible due to the damage caused by this random weather event. With the sub theme of “resilience” the participants, contributors, local community and visitors were asked to flow with this process out of respect.
Hosted by Treecreate Studio in partnership with Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council, the program brought together eight visiting artists from the USA, UAE, Germany, Aotearoa New Zealand, South Australia, New South Wales and regional Queensland, alongside local day participants from around the region. While some events and facilitators were affected by the storm’s aftermath, what unfolded was a quieter, more responsive and deeply relational program — one grounded in listening, care and adaptation.
And so much more ❤
Visiting artists this year included Ali Williams (USA), Bronwin Patrickson (SA), Gabrielle Quakawoot (QLD), Kim Robertson (UAE/UK), Leanne Thompson (NSW), Sandra Bekker (Germany), Tamsin Kerr (QLD) and Trudy Lane (Aotearoa NZ) — each bringing distinct practices and perspectives that enriched the collective experience. They were joined by local day participant artists and researchers who contributed workshops and presentations over the 11 days.
The program was made possible through late but crucial support.
Busy Fingers assisted by paying the accommodation costs, while Brooke Savige contributed funds from the MBRC discretionary fund – contributing to the 4WD tour. Further sponsorship from Ethos Global Foundation supported the participation of Gabrielle Quakawoot and will fund PIEEC places in Vanuatu for Weaving Water Vanuatu 2026, strengthening regional and international connections. Big thanks to everyone who volunteered their time – especially Aart (Yvonne) Williams – your energy and insight was incredible!
In a year marked by disruption and recovery, Weaving Water @ Yarun 2025 became less about delivering a fixed program and more about responding — to weather, to place, and to community needs as they emerged. What remained constant was a shared commitment to care for water, Country and each other through partnership, kinship and respect.
As Bribie Island continues to heal, Weaving Water leaves behind not just knowledge sharing and connections, but strengthened relationships, new opportunities for young people, and a deeper sense of what it means to listen to water and each other — especially in times of change.
In a world often characterised by fast-paced living and digital distraction, the need for meaningful connection — with each other, with place, and with the natural world — has become essential. Treecreate Studio Inc. (TSI) offers a space where that connection can grow.
Co-founded by artist, researcher, and systems thinker Dr Tracey M Benson and cartographer and spatial scientist Martin Drury, TSI is far more than an design studio — it’s a creative ecosystem which links culture, art, science and technology to explore relations to place. Through collaborative projects, workshops, and residencies, the studio cultivates new ways of thinking and making that honour the living systems we depend on. Each initiative begins with a simple yet powerful question: How can creativity help us live more harmoniously with our environment?
Tracey’s socially engaged practice has developed over decades of transdisciplinary exploration. Her work moves fluidly across art, science, and community engagement — from digital storytelling to hands-on environmental art. Central to her practice is a deep respect for the wisdom of place and the importance of relational ways of working. For over 16 years Martin has collaborated alongside Tracey on many projects in Australia and internationally as part of commissions and residencies.
Treecreate Studio’s flagship program, Weaving Water, embodies this approach. It brings artists, scientists, and community members together to explore water as a living system, teacher, and connector. The forthcoming Weaving Water @ Yarun 2025 will expand these conversations to include diverse voices from across the region and beyond, fostering creative collaborations that bridge art, science, and cultural knowledge.
Treecreate Studio’s ethos is deeply rooted in regeneration — of places, ideas, relationships, and ecosystems. The studio has become a regular ‘pop-up’ around the Bribie Island community, hosting creative workshops and collaborative projects with local partners such as the Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council and the Bribie Island Community Kindergarten.
These partnerships led projects encourage people of all ages to engage creatively with their local environment, learn through creative practice, and see themselves as active participants in caring for Country. Tracey’s approach is both scientific and poetic — blending observation and imagination, data and story, to inspire awareness and action.
In 2025, Tracey joined the management committee of the Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA), extending her commitment to fostering collaboration between art, science, and community. Her involvement supports ACSA’s strategic, future-focused, and relational approach to building citizen science networks that are creative, inclusive, and grounded in care for Country.
This connection reflects the same values that underpin TSI: collaboration, knowledge sharing, and systems thinking as pathways to meaningful change.
Treecreate Studio is also delighted to welcome Justin Fromm as Treasurer. Based in Western Australia, Justin brings a wealth of experience from both government and industry across economic development, community engagement, and strategic management. His background includes senior roles with the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Pilbara and Peel Development Commissions, and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
With his strong grounding in regional development, policy, and sustainability, Justin’s insights will help guide Treecreate’s growth and ensure sound governance as the organisation expands its national collaborations. His strategic and relational approach aligns closely with Treecreate’s vision — supporting a thriving network of creative practitioners working at the intersection of art, ecology, and community.
We would also like to thank our outgoing treasurer Afra Feeney – your contribution has been greatly appreciated.
At its heart, Treecreate Studio offers an antidote to disconnection. It is a gathering ground — a place to slow down, listen deeply, and create with awareness. Each project, whether large or small, becomes an act of regeneration: restoring relationships between people and the natural world.
As Tracey reflects, “Art is not just about making things. It’s about making meaning — together. When we create with care and awareness, we begin to see the world, and each other, differently.”
Through Treecreate Studio, that philosophy continues to grow — one connection, one conversation, and one creative act at a time ❤
Like so many small organisations and businesses, we have been able to streamline some of our work due to the assistance of Artificial Reality (AI).
We have also been learning from our partners and leaders in creative use of IA, AwhiWorld, who have been providing training to many organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
As an educator, I have worked closely with design students, outlining the benefits and risks of the use of AI. Racial bias is one area which is already gathering traction as an issue for AI. This recent article published on the Conversation demonstrates some of the racial bias existing in AI – ‘Australiana’ images made by AI are racist and full of tired cliches, new study shows
Another serious concern is the impact of AI on water and energy consumption. For this reason, as part of Treecreate Studios annual reporting we will share the calculation of our impact and then will offset this environmental cost by investing in Greenfleet.
Last financial year, I was not surprised by the water consumption, but did not realise that energy usage was like running my refrigerator for over a week!
Anyway, this is an area we will be tracking over time and we hope to contribute meaningfully to the conversations about environmental impacts of AI.
Have you thought about calculating your impact?
Bribie Island Community Kindergarten (BICK) recently commissioned local artists with Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council (PIEEC) to create a permanent ‘underwater’ installation using recycled materials including fishing nets.
Local Bribie Island artists Kristine Ellis and Charlotte Ellis wove a menagerie of underwater creatures using recycled fishing net as the core and a range or reclaimed and recycled material for the wrap.
For our part, (aside from Tracey’s dodgy coral weaving not pictured) the focus was on creating the environment for the creatures – using nets to create an underwater scene and suspending the sea creatures to their underwater scene.
The result has already encouraged lots of conversations with the BICK community, opening a dialogue about waste, care for our waterways and resourceful ways to repurpose materials.
Treecreate Studio is a perpetual partner of PIEEC and we are honoured to walk alongside this community organisation who give so much to our community. It is also an honour to work with Bribie Island Community Kindergarten – they are setting up the next generation of inquiring hearts, minds and spirits to care for Country ❤
We are really excited to announce Treecreate Studio will be at the Bribie Island Lion’s Hall for 10 Tuesdays in 2025, starting 29 April, 3:30pm to 5:30 pm.
The Treecreate Inkub8 program is all about exploring 5 key areas to support better focus, creativity and learning. We activate:
We bring over 25 years experience in as facilitators, mentors and educators across community arts, tertiary education (digital arts and design) as well as public sector and emerging commercial innovators.
This is a program aimed at all ages from 10 years and above to build social, environmental and creative resilience and awareness.
For 10 weeks in a relaxed and inclusive environment, we will explore 3d printing, Augmented Reality, creating animation, performance, photography, movement, projection art and more…
Bring your device – laptop, tablet or smart phone.
ADDRESS:
Bribie Island Lion’s Hall (Skate Park)
Sunderland Drive, Bellara
Bribie Island.
2025 DATES: 29 April | 13 May | 27 May | 17 June | 4 August | 23 September | 7 October | 21 October | 4 November | 18 November | 2 December
COST: $20 suggested weekly donation.
Bookings
Each week will have a different focus which we will explore before participants dive into their own projects.
Over 10 sessions, you’ll explore creative tools, learn new skills, and have loads of fun with others in a relaxed, friendly and inclusive space.
Session 1: Let’s Get Started!
Creative games, future thinking & making new friends.
Session 2: Tech Time Travel
Play with old-school printing + digital scanning.
Session 3: Photo Story Lab
Capture cool pics and tell visual stories.
Session 4: Stop-Motion Fun
Make your own short animation with your phone or tablet.
Session 5: 3D Design & Print
Create and print your own 3D object.
Session 6: AI Adventure
Use AI to write, draw and imagine new worlds (the ethical way!).
Session 7: Augmented Reality (AR)
Add digital layers to the world around you.
Session 8: Light & Movement
Create art with shadows, silhouettes and projections.
Session 9: Print & Make
Use eco and digital printing to create zines, cards & more.
Session 10: Show & Celebrate
Share your creations in a mini pop-up exhibition.
We are currently in Luganville, the main centre on Espirito Santo, one of Vanuatus largest northerly islands. Our purpose is to work with long time colleague and collaborator Sandy Sur from Leweton Cultural Experience to design the forthcoming Art/Sci Weaving Water residency in September 2025.
Without giving too much away, the program will be a rich combination of creativity, reflection and collaboration with a focus on place and impacts of the climate emergency we are now witnessing as the new ‘normal.’ Here are some images of some of our potential venues, including the Leweton Cultural Experience.
It is a real milestone to be launching Treecreate Studio as a non-profit.
When Treecreate was visioned and created 5 years ago, we wanted to find ways to connect our different knowledges, gifts and skills to build wellbeing and resilience for all life on this warming planet.
This next step is really important – having the support of our community locally and internationally is humbling and truly inspiring. Treecreate’s vision has always been about cooperation and collaboration rather than competition. We have to work together to support each other’s vital work. This is why we have partners and why we invite you to consider becoming a member.
The presentation from our meeting is below. In the presentation there is a QR code which links to our draft constitution.
You can also access the draft constitution online
You can send us feedback until 28 February via the contact us page. Also reach out to our Facebook page and leave a video or audio message.
It was an honour to recently be part of a ceremony connecting Yarun Bribie Island and Aotearoa New Zealand to suppprt the work one of our jarjums (young ones), talented emerging artist Nicole Gulwell to create a possum cloak.
Nicole has been supported thought the RADF to create the cloak, a beautiful cultural revitalisation project honouring her Dhurug and Gamillaroi ancestors.
The ceremony was held with Nicole, her Mum Belinda, chair of PIEEC Michelle Watson and myself in the room with the possums with some of our Weaving Water family from Aotearoa, Pasha Clothier and Trudy Lane joining us via zoom.
The possums were imported from Aotearoa New Zealand, as in Australia, possums are a native species and protected by law, which makes creating a cloak with Australian possums extremely difficult. In Aoteaora New Zealand, they are considered an invasive species after populations got out of control, after jumping the Tasman in 1837 with the purpose of establishing a commercial fur trade. (https://www.gorgeouscreatures.com.au/blogs/news/the-history-of-possums-in-new-zealand).
Cultural revitalisation and restoration through this growing practice of making cloaks by First Nations peoples on the continent known as Australia also aids support to the issue of controlling invasive possums in Aotearoa New Zealand.
With such important cultural work as well, it’s inspiring to see this process enacts mutually benefical reciprocity between places and peoples.
Michelle Watson led the smoking ceremony and the proceedings. Nicole paid respects and the skins were smoked and blessed so the work can go well.
This was a really special event and I felt very honoured to be a part of it. Out of respect for the process I will not go into details about the ceremony except to say Nicole spoke very well. Some of her acknowledgements were in the Dhurug language of her ancestors. Dhurug is also a language being revitalised as it was the language spoken around Sydney and as such was the first to be subjugated by colonial rule.
Just out of interest, we found this website with 10 Dhurug words – https://www.timeout.com/sydney/things-to-do/10-darug-words-and-their-meanings
Our Weaving Water community continues to learn and grow together and we look forward to more connections at next years Weaving Water events.
We are very excited to be hosting Ange Strong and her beautiful ocean based work at Treecreate Studio 14 – 24 November.
MEET THE ARTIST
Hi I’m Ange Strong and based at Bribie Island.
I was born in a small country town in NSW, but was drown to the ocean, and we found Bribie Island to feel like our new home.
I have been painting since high school but got into it more after the death of my father (suicide). Art has helped me get through some tough times in my life. I am a self-taught artist, that has worked with fluid art, alcohol ink, resin, acrylic, clay and now texture. The ocean is my passion, it just brings a calmness over me and I hope I can bring that through with my art.
I do love mother nature and our beautiful oceans. The blues and greens just make me smile when going for a walk along our beautiful beaches.
We will be having an opening for Ange’s work on Friday 15th November 6pm – all welcome!
She will also be running a workshop exploring “textured waves” on Saturday 23 November at the studio 1pm. Cost $65
Treecreate