Upcoming Public Programming
Mindful Movement with Laiken Jackson
As a part of The Dax Centre’s NAIDOC week celebrations, we are excited to be hosting a new workshop led by proud Murri artist Laiken Jackson, focusing on mindful movement. With elements of meditation, stretching, and gentle movement, Laiken will guide participants with the goals of feeling more grounded, calm, and connected to self and spirit.
We encourage you to wear comfy clothes, that feel easy to move in.
When: Saturday July 12, 1-2PM
Where: The Dax Centre, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville
Tickets: $20 (Free tickets for First Nations People)
What to expect:
Guided meditation, stretching session, gentle movement and dancing - all led by performance, circus, and dance artist Laiken Jackon.
All are welcome, no prior experience required. All equipment will be provided, you are welcome to participate barefoot. You can participant in whatever way makes you feel comfortable, and step out of the session at anytime if needed.
This is an opportunity to reset, relax and prioritise self-care, all surrounded by the beautiful artworks of the Internal Landscapes exhibition.
The Dax Centre is a gallery space dedicated to working with artists with a lived experience of mental health, and generating discussion about the importance of creativity to mental wellbeing. This workshop is an opportunity for self-care and social connection, and not a therapy or treatment session. Please be advised that Laiken Jackson and The Dax Centre team are not art therapist or psychologists. We can connect you with support services where required.
Poetry Reading Event: 100 Years of Francis Webb - Tribute Reading
We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming poetry reading in tribute to Francis Webb.
Date: Wednesday 25th June, 2025
Time: 4pm-6pm
Location: The Dax Centre, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville
Drinks provided. Seating will be available. This is a free event. RSVP is preferred.
The Dax Centre are the custodians of the Cunningham Dax Poetry Collection, managed by Dr Jennifer Harrison, which encompasses an extensive selection of poetry by people with a lived experience of mental health conditions. The Dax Centre are excited to host this poetry reading to further our commitment to preserving the legacy of poets with a lived experience.
Francis Webb (1925 - 73) has long had a reputation as one of Australia's most dazzling poets, praised in the postwar era and since by major names like Judith Wright, A. D. Hope, Gwen Harwood, Vincent Buckley, Rosemary Dobson, Les Murray, Dorothy Porter and Robert Adamson. Since the updated edition of his Collected Poems in 2011, a new generation has been astounded by not only Webb's undeniable talent, but also his courage in tackling social justice issues around racism, colonial impacts on First Nations people, xenophobia, poverty and environmental destruction.
Webb was also the first Australian poet to write openly about mental health experiences at a time when it was utterly taboo. Beginning with 'On First Hearing a Cuckoo' (1952) and 'A Death at Winson Green' (1955), Webb wrote around twenty poems set in the English and Australian mental hospitals he lived in from his mid-twenties until his death in 1973, aged 48. Webb's letters record multiple diagnoses including 'persecution mania' and schizophrenia, but he accepted none of these and instead invited readers into his life with what he called 'the sacred illness' and treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and pneumo-encephalographs. Webb challenged his own generation and those since, writing empathetically about his fellow patients, those 'plucked from the world of commonsense' for dementia, Down Syndrome, PTSD, or (like Webb) severe delusions, or indeed for the perceived social crime of being gay.
To celebrate 100 years since the poet's birth, The Dax Centre will hold a tribute reading with refreshments, co-hosted by poet and child psychiatrist Dr Jennifer Harrison and Toby Davidson, poet and editor of Francis Webb's Collected Poems. They will be joined by experienced poets and critics who will discuss the Webb legacy and read their favourite poems. This is a rare chance to hear the works of a true Australian prodigy recited and honoured by his most ardent fans.
The evening will feature readings by: Alice Allan, Robbie Coburn, John Hawke, Sandy Jeffs, Mal McKimmie, Peter Otto, Peter Rose, Philip Salom, Alex Skovron
Public Program Archive
Vessels for Emotional Holding led by Louise Meuwissen
5th April 2025
Louise Meuwissen led this workshop celebrating craft-based artmaking as a generative and restorative practice for emotional wellbeing. This workshop celebrated the power of adornment, symbology, and personal expression.
In a friendly and relaxed environment, participants were guided through hand-sewing construction techniques and the principles of bead embroidery.
Learn more about the workshop and Louise's creative practice here:
WORKSHOP- Vessels for Emotional Holding — Louise Meuwissen
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Documentary Screening - Left Write Hook
1st March 2025
1st March 2025
As a part of our She Who Persists exhibition programming, The Dax Centre hosted a special screening of the incredibly moving documentary, Left Write Hook, followed by a panel discussion with the Shannon Owen (Film Director), Donna Lyon (Program Creator), and Lauren Wraight and Julie (Program Participants).
Learn more about the Left Write Hook program:
Left Write Hook
Bottle Person Creative Workshop led by Christina Darras
15th February 2025
15th February 2025
The Bottle Person Creative Workshop was led by artists Christina Darras. During the workshop, participants learned papier mâché and painting techniques to create their own unique bottle person to keep. It was a fantastic opportunity to flex those imagination muscles and dive into creativity. It also provided a wonderful chance to connect with other creative souls in the community, make new friends, or catch up with old ones.
The Anxiety Project Artist Panel
27th November 2024
27th November 2024
In The Anxiety Project panel included a discussion about the artist’s interest in how art practice interacts with a lived experience of anxiety and exploring how anxiety manifests and operates within the creative process. This panel discussion was a great opportunity to come together as a creative community for authentic discussion about the hurdles that anxiety creates, and how it can serve as fertile creative ground.
Pocket Zine Workshop with Jacqui Stockdale
9th November 2024
9th November 2024
In conjunction with The Anxiety Project, The Dax Centre and Jacqui Stockdale hosted a pocket zine workshop in November 2024
With the surrounding exhibition to inspire creativity and encourage reflection on anxiety and mental wellbeing, the workshop involved making a pocket zine out of paper materials. Following a tour of The Anxiety Project exhibition, workshop participants were led by Jacqui in drawing, painting and writing on their pocket zines.
What is a pocket zine?
A zine is a small booklet or ‘mini magazine’ - they are created with collage, drawing and writing.
Why make a pocket zine?
In moments of stress or anxiety, it can be useful to have a tangible object to focus on to help ground you. In this workshop, you’ll create a zine for yourself or to gift someone, inspired by The Anxiety Project artworks. The small zine can be kept in your pocket and pulled out whenever needed!
Craft & Connection Workshop led by Louise Meuwissen
12th & 19th October 2024
12th & 19th October 2024
Louise Meuwissen works with textiles and found materials to make intricate embroidered paintings, sculptures, installations and wearable art. Louise specializes in delivering relaxed, fun, craft-based workshops that celebrate our innate creativity, personal expression, and belief that making is for everyone. Louise’s previous workshops have been delivered with institutions such as the NGV, Bunjil Place, and Craft Victoria
We had an two incredibly successful workshops led by Louise Meuwissen, over two Saturdays in October, as our first public program run alongside She Who Persists.
Louise guided workshop attendees through the process of creating an embroidered clothing patch to adorn a personal item, such as a tote bag, jacket, jeans, or even a cushion or blanket!
Using materials from Louise’s personal collection, attendees were be guided in the creation of their design, its translation to textiles, and learnt sewn embellishment techniques to create a unique piece inspired by She Who Persists. Louise spoke to her practice, and her experience in crafting’s capacity to facilitate mental wellbeing
The workshop presented a chance for attendees to connect with others in their community who enjoy craft and tour our current exhibition She Who Persists.