Whilst visiting Uluru, you must get inspired by the desert and join a local Anangu artist on a Maruku Arts dot painting tour! By delving into this ancient art form, you’ll better understand Aboriginal paintings and culture. You’ll also find the workshop to be a whole lot of fun, and you’ll create unique artwork of your own, reminiscent of your journey to Uluru. Maruku Arts dot painting workshops involve a mix of storytelling and lessons about Indigenous symbols, tools, crafts, and traditional art. The Anangu people have been passing their knowledge from generation to generation for thousands of years, and in doing so they are keeping the land, their culture, and their people strong. By joining a dot painting tour with Maruku Arts, you’ll gain insight into the lives both present and past Indigenous peoples of Australia’s Red Centre and the world’s oldest living culture.
Maruku Arts is exclusively owned and operated by Anangu, the Aboriginal people from the Western and Central Deserts of Australia. Established over 30 years ago as a not-for-profit art and craft corporation, today approximately 900 Anangu artists make up the collective with art hubs across this massive region.
The workshops are held outdoors under a shelter but be prepared for the elements. In the cooler months you’ll need to rug up, and of course you’ll need sunscreen, a hat and water at any time of year. Whatever you do, don’t wear your best clothes, this is after all an immersive experience and you’ll be using acrylic paints.
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Growing from the first informal tent exhibition at the base of Uluru in 1981, today Maruku is one of the largest and most successful Indigenous-owned and operated organisations. With market stalls, a retail gallery at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre, workshops, artwork, jewellery and wood carvings, there's so much to see and do.
Driven by a passion to preserve and promote the Anangu culture for future generations of artists, the Maruku collective strives to make that culture accessible to all who visit the Anangu lands. Join a Maruku Arts dot painting workshop on your next visit to Uluru.
At Uluru you can join a Maruku Arts dot painting tour in Yulara town square twice a day in the morning and afternoon throughout the year. Consider booking online if visiting during a popular time of the year to secure your spot.
Sessions are an hour and a half long and are hosted by a local Anangu artist and an assisting interpreter.
In a Muruku Arts dot painting class, no two workshops are alike; lessons are organic and the art you create based on your own story will be deeply personal and unique.
The Maruku dot painting workshop costs approximately $69 per person. This fee includes all materials needed for the workshop and guidance and instruction from the Anangu artists. Prices may vary slightly, so it is advisable to check the official Maruku Arts website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date pricing and availability. The workshop fee supports the local Aboriginal community and helps preserve their cultural heritage.
The Maruku dot painting workshop offers participants a unique opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture and art directly from local Anangu artists. During the workshop, you will be guided through the techniques and symbolism of traditional dot painting. The session typically begins with an introduction to the history and cultural significance of Aboriginal art. You will then create your own artwork using the methods and stories shared by the artists. The workshop is a hands-on experience that encourages creativity and cultural understanding, making it a memorable and educational activity for all ages.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
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