Newcastle Museum invites adults to get hands-on and create through free Make N Do workshop series

newy.com.au – Adults are being invited to explore their creativity at Newcastle Museum through a new series of free Make N Do workshops running on Thursday afternoons from 13 November to 4 December.

City of Newcastle says the hands-on program has been developed to spark curiosity, creativity and connection, offering adults a relaxed space to experiment with making and meet others, without the pressure of producing a perfect finished product.

Led by Newcastle Museum resident artist and educator Ken O’Regan, the Make N Do workshops combine guided and open-ended activities inspired by history, science and the Museum’s current exhibitions, including the Model Newcastle exhibition.

City of Newcastle Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning Julie Baird said the series reflects the Museum’s commitment to providing creative, inclusive spaces for the community. “Make N Do gives adults permission to create for the sake of creativity,” Ms Baird said. “It invites people to step away from their screens, slow down and explore the joy of making something with our hands.”

Ms Baird said the focus of the program was on the process rather than the outcome. “When we make, we shift our focus, calm the mind and open new neural pathways. It’s not about skill level or perfection, it’s about curiosity, experimentation and connection,” she said.

She said similar programs at Newcastle Museum had shown there was strong demand for opportunities for adults to engage in playful, hands-on learning. “Our programs at Newcastle Museum are always well-received and highly valued by the community. We know hands-on workshops like this bring people together in meaningful ways and provide a fun, welcoming space for adults to explore their creativity,” Ms Baird said.

The Make N Do series began on Thursday 13 November, with the first session taking inspiration from the Model Newcastle exhibition. Participants were invited to design and build miniature homes or imaginative structures using everyday recyclable materials, exploring how the city is represented and reimagined in miniature form.

Workshops run each Thursday from 2pm to 4pm until 4 December, with all materials supplied by Newcastle Museum. The program is open to adults of all experience levels, from beginners who have not picked up a paintbrush or glue gun since school to those looking to reconnect with a lapsed creative practice.

City of Newcastle says Make N Do will continue as an ongoing series in 2026 following the initial four-week block, with group bookings and tailored workshops available for community organisations and disability support groups on request.

The workshops are free to attend but bookings are essential via the Newcastle Museum website. For group or accessibility enquiries, people can contact the Museum via enquiries@newcastlemuseum.com.au or by calling 4974 1400.