In March 2025, we ran three special workshops in Lithgow, Mudgee and Rylstone, exploring puppetry and movement — supported by Arts OutWest’s Country Arts Support Program (CASP), with funding from the NSW Government.

Renata teamed up with conceptual artist, performer and puppeteer Keila Terencio de Paula  to guide participants through playful improvisation, structured movement, and object play — discovering new ways to bring bodies, objects, and stories to life.

Open to anyone 16+, no experience required — just a willingness to explore.

What people

“Having spent the morning contemplating my attendance… I was rewarded greatly by the workshop facilitators as well as programmed material. It was a delightfully welcoming space… I felt utterly content to allow myself to be fully immersed in the experience, within my limitations, feeling no pressure from the facilitators to push any harder than I wanted to.”

— Sam

“You wove movement and puppetry together beautifully. The opportunity to make our own puppet and tell stories with it was the best! Complaint… not long enough!”

— Bryan

“I’m still feeling the gentle joy and connection from participating… It was so lovely to partake with my son — he’s usually a bit too cool these days to dance with me, so the workshop was an opportunity to connect through movement in a different way.”

— Kumari

“Loved the freedom and sense of play and wonder.” “A great space held and feel so fortunate to be doing this in Lithgow — our local town.”

From Renata

“It felt good — knowing that this is the beginning of my artistic journey in the Central West. The space was playful, creative, supportive and safe… there really aren’t many opportunities for artists and community to come together and creatively meet in the area — I straight away knew there has to be more of this.”

Thank you to Arts OutWest, the NSW Government and Lithgow Council for supporting this initiative.