Buda Castlemaine

Mother's Day High Tea with Christine Nixon
2022-05-08 14:00 - 16:00 UTC
SORRY – SOLD OUT
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Our Mother’s Day High Tea will be on Sunday 8th May 2022 commencing at 2pm, a perfect way to spend a pleasurable Sunday afternoon.
This year’s speaker will be Christine Nixon. Christine is a well known author, experienced public speaker and advocate for women, disadvantaged youth and multifaith/multicultural communities.
Christine Nixon has had an extraodinary life. She has pursued and been given many opportunities. She has experienced the best and worst of human behaviour. She has been highly praised and highly criticised but never ignored.
An Arresting Life
Christine will tell us the story of the changes in women’s lives over the last 50 years from her perspective of policing and community service and its relationship to the independent lives of the Leviny women.
What you can expect

Sparkling wine on arrival
High tea, savouries and sweets served to your table
Leaf tea and brewed coffee
Optional tour of the House and garden

$45 ADULT $42 CONC
$40 FRIENDS OF BUDA
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Understanding Soils
2022-06-04 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
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Saturday June 4th, 1pm -4pm
Understanding Soils. Discover the wonderful world that exists beneath our feet and the key principles to maintaining good soil. In this workshop we will explore how physical, biological and chemical interactions impact soil health, determining the health of ourselves and our gardens. We will undertake simple soil tests and look at practical options for repairing, building and maintaining your own patch of earth. BYO soil sample for testing (optional).
Suitable for Adults and young people over 16 years
$75 includes afternoon tea.

Buda’s own Garden Curator, Carol Henderson is a horticulturist, permaculture designer and teacher. Passionate about urban food production, she finds all plants and gardens fascinating and regularly runs workshops for CERES, schools and local councils. Working with children, youth and adults from all walks of life, Carol tailors each session to suit the needs and interests of each group. Her style is friendly and highly interactive so you won’t be sitting still for long!

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Winter Garden Ramble with Carol Henderson
2022-06-29 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
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Wednesday June 29th, 1pm -2.30pm
Winter Garden Ramble. Explore the hidden plant treasures of the Buda garden in winter. This tour will be conducted by our Garden Curator who will also discuss winter garden maintenance and share what our garden team are up to this season. Afternoon tea, children’s activity and plant sale included.
Cost $15 full/$12 concession card holders, volunteers and Friends of Buda. $5 children 12yo and under
Please come dressed for the weather. Note this walk includes uneven paths and is not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Buda’s own Garden Curator, Carol Henderson is a horticulturist, permaculture designer and teacher. Passionate about urban food production, she finds all plants and gardens fascinating and regularly runs workshops for CERES, schools and local councils. Working with children, youth and adults from all walks of life, Carol tailors each session to suit the needs and interests of each group. Her style is friendly and highly interactive so you won’t be sitting still for long!

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The Josine McEwan 2022 fundraising dinner
2022-07-30 18:30 - 22:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
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Come and join us for a 3 course winter meal for the annual Josine McEwan fund-raising dinner with renowned geologist Clive Willman presenting ‘Living among the Mines”.
The late Josine McEwan was a volunteer in the garden at Buda Historic Home & Garden in Castlemaine. Knowing how important Buda is to the region and wanting it to remain open for future generations to enjoy, Josine left a generous bequest to Buda when she passed away in 2006. Since 2007 an annual lecture and fundraising dinner has been conducted in Josine’s memory.
Clive Willman is a renowned Geologist specialising in mapping and structural geology since 1980 and combining film-making and geology since 2005.
This year’s lecture presented by Clive is the fascinating ‘Living Among the Mines. That’s cool but please stop poisoning the kids.’
Clive’s Living Amongst the Mines research explores the sights and sounds that the Leviny family experienced in the late 19th century. This artistic and cultured family, more than any other household in Castlemaine, were surrounded by the clanging and banging of mine machinery. Deep shafts were located just metres from their fence line, and at times, even the streets were mined. Amazingly they tolerated all this until Ernest Leviny drew the line when a sulphurous and smoke belching mineral processing plant, just around the corner, withered his precious garden and poisoned the kids.
The dinner includes a glass of bubbly on arrival followed by a delicious and seasonal three course winter meal.
Please let us know by email if you have dietary requirements.
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Cow on the Mullock heap

Books at Buda
2022-08-27 14:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Books at Buda – Meet Nanette Carter and Robyn Oswald-Jacobs
Frances Burke was Australia’s most influential and celebrated textile designer of the 20th century. From the late 1930s to 1970, her designs achieved a prominence unparalleled in Australia before or since.
In March 2020 Buda was finally able to re-instate the Frances Burke ‘Totem’ design curtains in the Dining Room after many years of waiting to find the appropriate replacement fabric.
In 2005 it was decided that the original curtains dating from around 1950, were in such a poor state and beyond conservation, that they should be removed to preservation storage. An attempt was made to have the fabric replicated in the following years, but Buda was unable to do that due to copyright of the Burke design.
Contact was made with Robyn Oswald-Jacobs and Nanette Carter who wrote the book on Frances Burke and it is through them that a small bolt of the original ‘Totem’ design fabric in the exact same mustard colour of the originals came to light. Buda was able to secure a donation to pay for the fabric and the vendor was most happy to see it used to make the new, replacement curtains.
Frances Burke ‘Totem’ design curtains in the dining room
Join the authors of the book celebrating the life and work of Frances Burke at Buda House, in conversation with Emma Busowsky, Curator of the Bendigo Art Gallery.
Afternoon tea will be provided
Please note that the authors will be signing books and chatting to guests after the event.
$20 – includes entry to Buda House, afternoon tea and a 10% discount on the book.
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About the authors:
Nanette Carter completed a master’s degree in art history focusing on the development of modern design in Melbourne in the 1930s. She subsequently researched and wrote on post-war interiors by designer and artist Clement Meadmore. Her 2015 PhD on the emergence of DIY culture in the post-war period in Australia was jointly supervised by the School of Historical Studies and the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne.
Independent scholar Robyn Oswald-Jacobs completed a diploma in textile design at RMIT before undertaking a research master’s degree on textile designer Frances Burke. In part as a result of this research the Textile Resource Collection: Australian Fashion and Textile Design was established by the Department of Fashion and Textile Design at RMIT. Managed by Oswald-Jacobs, the centre collected, exhibited, and published archival material, later forming the foundation of the RMIT Design Archives

​
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Fun and Games at Buda
2022-09-20 09:30 - 11:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
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Come and explore toys and games from the past.
Marbles
Jumping jacks Spinning tops Quoits
Hooky
Skittles
Coconut shy
Cat’s Cradle
Hoop & Stick games Hopscotch
Flick cards
Dolls
Trains
Make your own peg doll or action figure to take home

Suitable for ages 4-12 years. Children to be accompanied by an adult. Share your skills and stories with your children and grandchildren.
Cost: $15 per person
Includes games, craft activities, morning tea with scones, jam and cream.

Enquiries: Meredith Blake (03) 5472 1032 or email curator@budacastlemaine.org
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Spring Garden Ramble with Carol Henderson
2022-09-21 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
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Wednesday September 21st, 1pm -2.30pm
Spring Ramble – Spring in the Buda garden is just glorious, with new flowers to discover every week. Explore some of these hardy and drought tolerant plant treasures with our Garden Curator, Carol Henderson, who will also discuss spring garden maintenance and share what our garden team are up to this season. Afternoon tea, children’s activity and plant sale included.
Cost $15 full/$12 concession card holders, volunteers and Friends of Buda. $5 children 12yo and under
This is an outdoor event so please come dressed for the weather. Note this walk includes uneven paths and stairs, please contact us for accessibility support. For accessibility enquiries please email Carol.

Buda’s own Garden Curator, Carol Henderson is a horticulturist, permaculture designer and teacher. Passionate about urban food production, she finds all plants and gardens fascinating and regularly runs workshops for CERES, schools and local councils. Working with children, youth and adults from all walks of life, Carol tailors each session to suit the needs and interests of each group. Her style is friendly and highly interactive so you won’t be sitting still for long!

Book Now

2022 Traditional Arts Fair
2022-11-20 10:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Please buy tickets at the gate today

It’s back! Buda brings the Traditional Arts Fair to Castlemaine on Sunday November 20th from 10am till 4pm. Buda will showcase traditional arts, cooking and gardening in as many and varied forms as possible, in the spirit of the Leviny daughters. Embroidery, book binding, tinsmithing, weaving, knitting, knife making, lacemaking, felting, painting, metalwork, jewellery, cooking, handmade body products, basket weaving and much more! Handcrafted icecream, coffee, Buda special gourmet BBQ, Devonshire teas, light lunches, Shedshaker bar, music and children’s activities will all make for a fantastic day. Three stages will be running with free demonstrations all day, along with individual demonstrations on each stall and a special guest artist in residence.
New this year is Gold Panning! Adults and kids can come and learn to pan for gold from experts from Miner’s Den Bendigo. The panning dirt is guaranteed to have gold in it. Will you find it?
Honouring our European connection, the Belly Dance Goddess troupe will be showcasing gypsy tribal dance at various times during the day. Don’t miss their colourful, fun dance display.
The Fair will be hosting a make and take table on the day. Sit down with Andrea and learn to make some very funky jewellery, or Christmas decorations. There are a few sessions to choose from and you will take home a completed item. Book at the booking table on the day.
There are also magnificent items up for raffle including a basket of artist made goodies, a Catherine Pilgrim lithograph and a basket of famous Buda produce. To top it all off, Buda’s tour guides will be conducting guided tours at a discounted price for one day only.
You can buy tickets on the gate but to help us out in advance, you can buy your tickets online.
$5 adults. Kids are free!
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Free Demonstrations and Timetable
See all the activities here

Thank you to our sponsors

William Morris and the Strawberry Thief
2023-03-23 16:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
STORYTELLING PERFORMANCE: ‘WILLIAM MORRIS & THE STRAWBERRY THIEF’

Castlemaine Fringe Festival 2023
– Joanna Laurie, www.blackirisstoryteller.com
Join me as we amble together through the wondrous world of William Morris; artist, poet, designer and grandfather of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Inspired by nature and beauty, we do a little digging to discover how Morris’s legacy weaved its way into the creative lives of the Leviny sisters of Buda House and inspired the budding artistic community of Castlemaine.
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Exhibition - A European Australian Connection
2023-03-24 12:00 - 2023-04-30 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
Buda Historic Home and Garden is the European villa of Hungarian silversmith Ernest Leviny built during the Victorian goldrush. Damon Kowarsky is an Australian artist working across drawing printmaking and painting who will address this European Australian connection as an exhibition within the heritage home. Having travelled extensively, Kowarsky uses precise artmaking techniques to question architectural exteriors in Australia and Europe presenting factual reality as an illusion with a pristine finish and tactile nature.

Equinox Printmaking is operated by long-standing printmakers Nancye Canobie and Keith Wiltshire and specialises in both stone and metal plate lithography. Sharon Greenaway is a Bendigo based floral artist and photographer, who’s artistic practice revolves around creating exquisite art, juxtaposed with the fragility of humanity and our place in the natural world of the Central Goldfields region. Equinox and Greenaway will explore the connection between the European heritage garden and its context within the Central Victorian landscape as one of the most significant large nineteenth or early twentieth century suburban gardens surviving in Victoria.
General Admission applies
Naarm – Damon Kowarsky
Equinox Printmaking
Floral Art by Sharon Greenaway
Damon Kowarsky studied printmaking at Victorian College of the Arts and Glasgow School of Art. Since graduating he has travelled extensively. Architecture and the colours of earth and sky inspire much of his work.
Kowarsky is the recipient of awards including a Toyota Community Spirit Artist Travel Award, Creative Victoria New Works Grant and Australia Council Asia-Australia Creative Partnerships Grant. He has worked as a scientific, courtroom, and archaeological illustrator.
In 2007 he taught drawing and studied miniature painting at Beaconhouse National University Lahore. In 2010, 2014, and 2017 he taught printmaking at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture Karachi.
Kowarsky exhibits regularly in Australia and abroad, including solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Hong Kong, New York, Philadelphia, Wellington, Cairo, Damascus, Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.
In 2014 and 2017 he was artist in residence at Guanlan Original Printmaking Base. In 2015 he was part of the Bait al Zubair Museum’s inaugural artist in residence program. In 2016 he completed a two month residency in France with the support of the Alfred and Trafford Klots International Program for Artists. In 2018 Warrnambool Art Gallery undertook a substantial survey exhibition of his prints, paintings and drawings. He is currently working on a series of new etchings inspired by travels in North and South East Asia.
Equinox Printmaking is operated by long-standing printmakers Nancye Canobie and Keith Wiltshire. Both artists have exhibited in public and private galleries in regional and metropolitan Australia.
Equinox Printmaking caters to intaglio and relief printmaking, as well as being Australia’s preeminent private lithography atelier. The studio specialises in both stone and metal plate lithography.
Sharon Greenaway is a photographic artist specialising in macro photographs of local flora.
Sharon took great delight as well as many hours of work to create these cotton banners that will hang in the Buda garden juxtaposing the European garden. Each banner features local floral wildflowers from the region.
Supported by Mount Alexander Shire Council

Bookbinding with Damon Kowarsky and Hyunju Kim
2023-03-26 10:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
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Learn to make your own softcover Japanese bound sketchbook.
You will learn a simple and easily repeatable bookbinding technique perfect for making sketchbooks and visual diaries. The workshop will provide suitable paper for one book but the technique can later be adapted to whatever paper you prefer.
Participants need to bring
Steel ruler – 50 cm minimum length
Pencil
Eraser
Gluestick
Craft knife or cutter with sharp blades
Poster, map, or thin fabric for cover measuring exactly 28 x 58cm. Old maps and navigational charts are particularly good, as are art posters or anything printed on reasonably durable paper.
2 inch bulldog clip
Lunch (please bring your own or pop downtown)
Participants are suggested to bring a selection of papers to make extra books, time permitting. These can be a range of new art papers [cartridge, drawing, watercolour etc] or smaller offcuts from printmaking projects or other works on paper. Sketchbooks are a great way to reuse and repurpose smaller pieces of paper. Lighter weight [200gsm or under] papers are recommended, though it can be interesting to make books with a range of different papers in them.
Following the workshop [time permitting] participants will be free to draw in the gardens at Buda in their new sketchbook
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Damon Kowarsky studied printmaking at Victorian College of the Arts and Glasgow School of Art. Since graduating he has travelled extensively. Architecture and the colours of earth and sky inspire much of his work.
Kowarsky is the recipient of awards including a Toyota Community Spirit Artist Travel Award, Creative Victoria New Works Grant and Australia Council Asia-Australia Creative Partnerships Grant. He has worked as a scientific, courtroom, and archaeological illustrator.
In 2007 he taught drawing and studied miniature painting at Beaconhouse National University Lahore. In 2010, 2014, and 2017 he taught printmaking at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture Karachi.
Kowarsky exhibits regularly in Australia and abroad, including solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Hong Kong, New York, Philadelphia, Wellington, Cairo, Damascus, Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.
In 2014 and 2017 he was artist in residence at Guanlan Original Printmaking Base. In 2015 he was part of the Bait al Zubair Museum’s inaugural artist in residence program. In 2016 he completed a two month residency in France with the support of the Alfred and Trafford Klots International Program for Artists. In 2018 Warrnambool Art Gallery undertook a substantial survey exhibition of his prints, paintings and drawings. He is currently working on a series of new etchings inspired by travels in North and South East Asia.
Partner of Kowarsky, Hyunju Kim’s magical realism splits worlds and brings different realities together. Recent exhibitions include 2020Secret Garden, Naive Gallery, Seoul, Korea2015 Taseer Art Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan; Potogar Gallery, Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Zahoor ul Akhlaq Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan; Almo Library, Seoul, Korea

Artists Talk with Damon Kowarsky & Exhibition launch by David Frazer
2023-03-31 17:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
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Meet the artists presenting an Australian European Connection at Buda Castlemaine, with a special artist’s talk by Damon Kowarsky and the official opening by David Frazer with wine and canapes.
“This talk will look at depictions of landscape through my work and the contemporary and historical printmakers who have influenced it.
Landscape [along with portraiture and still life] is one of the three big themes in art. This talk will consider the ways landscape has expanded and contracted in response to new ideas about the world, and how it has come to be central to my current practice.
In a country as urbanised as Australia there is a paradox in our desire to visually depict landscape as separate from everyday experience – the Heidelberg School famously caught the train to paint their pastoral idylls.
For me it is this discomfort with our place in this country that feeds the enduring power of landscape art. It is also, given the truly astonishing environments we live in and at the margins of, a huge joy and privilege to be able to depict them through the medium of print.”
Damon Kowarsky
Damon Kowarsky | Equinox Printmakers | Sharon Greenaway | Dianne Longley | special guest David Frazer
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Damon Kowarsky studied printmaking at Victorian College of the Arts and Glasgow School of Art. Since graduating he has travelled extensively. Architecture and the colours of earth and sky inspire much of his work.
Kowarsky is the recipient of awards including a Toyota Community Spirit Artist Travel Award, Creative Victoria New Works Grant and Australia Council Asia-Australia Creative Partnerships Grant. He has worked as a scientific, courtroom, and archaeological illustrator.
In 2007 he taught drawing and studied miniature painting at Beaconhouse National University Lahore. In 2010, 2014, and 2017 he taught printmaking at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture Karachi.
Kowarsky exhibits regularly in Australia and abroad, including solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Hong Kong, New York, Philadelphia, Wellington, Cairo, Damascus, Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.
In 2014 and 2017 he was artist in residence at Guanlan Original Printmaking Base. In 2015 he was part of the Bait al Zubair Museum’s inaugural artist in residence program. In 2016 he completed a two month residency in France with the support of the Alfred and Trafford Klots International Program for Artists. In 2018 Warrnambool Art Gallery undertook a substantial survey exhibition of his prints, paintings and drawings. He is currently working on a series of new etchings inspired by travels in North and South East Asia.
David Frazer has exhibited nationally and internationally with over 40 solo exhibitions since 1996 and a number of group exhibitions and prizes throughout Australia, China, the UK and Poland.
He will be very pleased to open the exhibition.

Copper Etching with Damon Kowarsky and Equinox Printmaking
2023-04-01 10:00 - 2023-04-02 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
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Copper Etching with Damon Kowarsky
Medium Copper / Ferric Chloride
Weekend workshop to learn the basics of intaglio printmaking [etching] on copper.
Etching on copper is one of the oldest forms of printmaking. Invented in Germany in the 15th century, it has since been used by masters including Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, Picasso, Hockney, and many others. It is very close to drawing, and is a rewarding way to create multiple images in a medium with a rich history and dynamic contemporary practice.
Over the two day workshop participants will learn the basics of copper etching. This includes etching with ferric chloride and printing on cotton paper with high quality ink.
Participants will draw in the wonderful gardens at Buda, and make their etching directly from their drawings.
Day one at Buda
Morning – drawing in garden
Afternoon – transferring design onto prepared copper plate
Day two at Equinox Printmaking Chewton
(Participants will be given directions on day one)
Morning – etching plate
Afternoon – printing!

Participants need to bring
Day one sketchbook and pencils/pens, chair or stool, lunch
Day two apron, close toed shoes, safety glasses, lunch
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Damon Kowarsky studied printmaking at Victorian College of the Arts and Glasgow School of Art. Since graduating he has travelled extensively. Architecture and the colours of earth and sky inspire much of his work.
Kowarsky is the recipient of awards including a Toyota Community Spirit Artist Travel Award, Creative Victoria New Works Grant and Australia Council Asia-Australia Creative Partnerships Grant. He has worked as a scientific, courtroom, and archaeological illustrator.
In 2007 he taught drawing and studied miniature painting at Beaconhouse National University Lahore. In 2010, 2014, and 2017 he taught printmaking at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture Karachi.
Kowarsky exhibits regularly in Australia and abroad, including solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Hong Kong, New York, Philadelphia, Wellington, Cairo, Damascus, Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.
In 2014 and 2017 he was artist in residence at Guanlan Original Printmaking Base. In 2015 he was part of the Bait al Zubair Museum’s inaugural artist in residence program. In 2016 he completed a two month residency in France with the support of the Alfred and Trafford Klots International Program for Artists. In 2018 Warrnambool Art Gallery undertook a substantial survey exhibition of his prints, paintings and drawings. He is currently working on a series of new etchings inspired by travels in North and South East Asia.
Equinox Printmaking is operated by long-standing printmakers Nancye Canobie and Keith Wiltshire. Both artists have exhibited in public and private galleries in regional and metropolitan Australia.
Equinox Printmaking caters to intaglio and relief printmaking, as well as being Australia’s preeminent private lithography atelier. The studio specialises in both stone and metal plate lithography.

Connections: European printmaking and Australian gardens – drawings made into printing plates using the sun with Dianne Longley
2023-04-02 10:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
Dianne Longley – Agave Print Studio

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In this workshop you will take drawings from the Buda House garden or from the Australian bush or your garden and transform them into intaglio prints using water-washable photopolymer plates, exposed in sunlight. Bring a range of your drawings or photographs from your garden to the workshop. Or there will be time to draw plants and garden views from the gorgeous Buda House gardens.
You can use a graphite pencils or felt-tipped pigment pens or pen and ink to create a drawing on drafting film which we will expose onto a photopolymer plate in the sunlight. The plate is washed out in tap water, dried and hardened, and then printed onto dampened paper to produce beautiful intaglio prints.
Information to participants:
Please bring drawings and photographs to the workshop that can be used as source material for your images. Or do a drawing at Buda House.
You can place a drawing or photograph underneath the translucent drafting film and draw the image onto the film or draw straight onto the film. We are working with plates 10 x 15cm, so you can even take a detail from a larger existing work.
Bring a pencil case, pencils, eraser and fine-tipped pigment pens (available most newsagents) and a small notebook. I will be giving you some notes that you can annotate.
Wear old clothes, or bring an apron/cover-up, also wear covered shoes in the studio.
Please arrive at 9.50am for a 10am start. We finish at 4.30-5pm.
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Dianne Longley is currently a master printmaker at Agave Print Studio, an access printmaking studio established in picturesque Trentham. Agave Print Studio offers accommodation, and professional printmaking facilities for intaglio and relief/letterpress printmaking, specialising in photopolymer plate printmaking. She teaches a range of printmaking workshops, and Agave Print Studio offers studio access and residencies, printmaking collaborations, and edition printing.

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea 2023
2023-05-14 14:00 - 16:00 UTC
Crafty – The Creative Women of Castlemaine’s Golden Age, with Sarah Frazer
Our Mother’s Day afternoon tea will be on Sunday 14th May 2023 commencing at 2pm, a perfect way to spend a pleasurable Sunday afternoon.
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Crafty – The Creative Women of Castlemaine’s Golden Age
What do you get when you cross the Arts and Crafts Movement with the difficult realities of gold rush Castlemaine? You get some very special Mothers and Aunts! Come raise a teacup or glass to the ladies Leviny, Waterhouse and Brotherton – the resourceful women whose endeavours gave us Buda Home and Gardens and the Castlemaine Art Museum. Be inspired by their stories and honour your own female role models at Buda House this Mother’s Day. Presented by Sarah Frazer of the Castlemaine Art Museum.
Sarah spent many years navigating the labyrinths of museums, libraries and archives. She creates stories that express her love for the natural world and reflect on the human condition. They often start in nature journals, where words and images simmer and fuse, mix with ingredients stashed in her pockets from a background in both art and science.
What you can expect

Sparkling wine on arrival
Savouries and sweets
Leaf tea and brewed coffee
Optional tour of the House and garden

$45 ADULT $42 CONC
$40 FRIENDS OF BUDA
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From Budapest to Castlemaine
2023-05-21 11:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Buda Fundraiser hosted by the Hungarian Community
Aranykálsz invites you to a luncheon at Buda Castlemaine. All profits from the proceeds of this will be donated to the continuing upkeep of this historic site.
The afternoon will feature a two course meal, live Hungarian music and dance performances as well as a presentation and tree planting by Michael Geiger, head of the Hungarian Consulate.
Fully licensed. Bookings close May 18th.
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The Leviny sisters’ Love of Art with Chris Lloyd
2023-06-11 11:00 - 12:30 UTC
Still Life Linocut (c1930) by Alice Newell (Buda Collection)
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This special tour will focus on the Leviny’s extensive art collection and their role in establishing the Castlemaine Art Museum.

Following on from Sarah Frazer’s wonderful Creating CAM: A herstory in cloth and conversation and her Mother’s Day presentation at Buda, we take a look at what inspired the Leviny sisters in their collection of works and their influence during CAM’s formative years.
$15/$12 conc. and Friends of Buda.
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Hollyhocks (1929) Hand-coloured woodcut by Margaret Preston (Buda Collection)

Orchids (1925) Hand-coloured woodcut by Margaret Preston (Buda Collection)The Levinys had correspondence with Margaret Preston in 1941.

Gum Trees (c1910) Watercolour by Elsie (Hake) Barlow (Buda Collection)Believed to have been purchased by the Levinys from her 1912 solo exhibition in the Mechanics Institute, Castlemaine.

The Josine McEwan 2023 fundraising dinner
2023-07-29 18:30 - 22:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
Due to circumstances beyond our control this event has been postponed, possibly to October.
Please get in touch here if you would like to be informed of new dates.
Come and join us for a 3 course winter meal for the annual Josine McEwan fund-raising dinner with our Garden Curator Ryan Garratt.
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The late Josine McEwan was a volunteer in the garden at Buda Historic Home & Garden in Castlemaine. Knowing how important Buda is to the region and wanting it to remain open for future generations to enjoy, Josine left a generous bequest to Buda when she passed away in 2006. Since 2007 an annual lecture and fundraising dinner has been conducted in Josine’s memory.
Our Garden Curator Ryan Garratt has 25 years of nursery and garden industry experience and is also the garden educator for The Diggers Club.
This year’s lecture presented by Ryan looks at 19th Century into early 20th Century gardening in Australia. Touching on the great appetite the gardener of the day had for plant material and also the sheer volume of plant material grown and available then as opposed to now, he will tie this into the Buda garden, the Leviny family as well informed plant enthusiasts with aesthetic vision, and how this affects and leads his approach to garden curation and conservation.
The dinner includes a glass of bubbly on arrival followed by a delicious and seasonal three course winter meal.
Please let us know by email if you have dietary requirements.
Menu
Entree
Grazing platter provided by the Buda Team
Alternating mains provided by Lela Rudinica catering
Chicken involtini (Chicken in a parcel)
Lamb Shwarma (Roast lamb with spicy marinade served in slices)

Layered veg cake

Veg:
Potato gratin
Roasted pumpkin
Turkish green beans

Dessert
Basque Cheesecake (baked, gluten free and a bit lemony)
Pistachio nut cake
Both cakes to be served with a dollop of cream.
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Traditional Arts Fair 2023
2023-11-19 10:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
The Traditional Arts Fair 2023 is back on the 19th November.

Buda brings the Traditional Arts Fair to Castlemaine on Sunday November 19th from 10am till 4pm. Set amongst the spectacular spring garden Buda will showcase traditional arts, cooking and gardening in as many and varied forms as possible, in the spirit of the Leviny daughters. Embroidery, book binding, saffron, weaving, garden crafts, metalwork, felting, painting, jewellery, cooking, handmade body products, basket weaving and much more!
The fair will also feature handcrafted ice cream, coffee, a gourmet BBQ, Devonshire teas, light lunches, and even Shedshaker brewery’s bar. There will be something to satisfy every palate.
With three stages hosting free demonstrations, individual demonstrations at each stall, roving musicians and a special guest artist in residence, there will be plenty of entertainment and opportunities to learn. Families can enjoy children’s activities to keep the little ones engaged and entertained throughout the day. There will be a Make’n Take table where you can learn to make some beautiful copper wares and there will be guided tours of the house at various times throughout the day.
Adults are only 5 dollars and kids are free, so don’t miss out on a fantastic family day out. Gates are open at 10am until 4pm and you can book in advance through the website or buy tickets at the gate on the day. budacastlemaine.org

Adults $5 kids are free
Pets not allowed please. Assistance dogs welcome.
Book tickets in advance

Free Demonstrations on the Food stage, the Garden stage and the Traditional Arts stage. >See here for the timetable

Make ‘n Take with Andrea McKey 11am or 1pm – $15, bookings required at the booking table
Make a copper magnet using prepared leaf shapes. Colour in the shapes with waxy coloured pencils of your choice. Think seasonal colours or go wild and do your own colour scheme. Take it home with you. Ages 7+

2023 raffle with beautiful handcrafted prizes >see more

Food >See more

Free Kids activities all day on the lawn

Life Drawing at Buda
2024-02-18 09:30 - 2024-04-21 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
Life drawing with a difference!

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Dames, Drinks and Drawing (Bridget Farmer), and Buda Historic Home and Garden in Castlemaine have joined forces to present this fun monthly event (until the colder months kick in).
Artists have access to normally restricted areas of the beautiful Buda house, where, within the walls and the garden, models in period costume will be found, ready for you to capture with pencil on paper. Artists will be invited to explore the house, and where a stool is free they may sit and sketch a model in situ.
The first two sessions, Sunday February 18 and March 24, run from 9.30am – 1pm with a delicious morning tea provided in the break.
Then, as part of the Australian National Trust Heritage Festival there will be an all day session from 9.30am – 3pm on Sunday April 21 with both a lovely morning tea and lunch provided.
Come to one, or choose all three and receive a discount.
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Please note: This is a non-tutored drawing session. Stools will be provided but space is tight so please no easels inside the house. We suggest sketchbooks or small drawing boards no larger than A3. We also ask that you only bring dry, dust free drawing implements due to the fragile nature of the interiors you will be working in.
Friends of Buda tickets are for paid members only.
Please email admin@budacastlemaine.org if you have dietary restrictions.

Drawing by Lisa Nolan @lisanolanartist

Connect the dots – The Levinys in Castlemaine
2024-04-18 08:00 - 2024-05-18 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
Explore the connections of the artistic Leviny family to the places that were significant to their lives and loves in Castlemaine, in a brand new walking or driving tour. Come for a Mother’s Day afternoon tea and discover their artistic connections or attend a life drawing class.

The Australian Heritage Festival is the country’s largest community-driven celebration of heritage.

For more than 40 years the National Trust has connected the nation through the Australian Heritage Festival celebrations.
Returning in April and May with the theme Connections, the 2024 festival will celebrate the rich and diverse stories of our nation, strengthen cultural and historical ties and encourage the community to forge new bonds. It acknowledges our link to people, places and the past, and the enduring connections that will shape the future of heritage.

Buda Castlemaine is one of the few historic houses which truly bears the mark of its former owners, the Leviny family. An accredited museum, it features the original belongings and art collection of the talented Leviny’s who resided there for 118 years.
Come and visit and learn of Hungarian gold and silversmith Ernest Leviny and his five talented daughters and their Arts and Crafts influenced collection, then grab a map and explore their wider connections in the town of Castlemaine with a newly developed walking or driving tour. General Admission applies to obtain map. No bookings required.
On Sunday April 21, you can participate in a Life Drawing session in the house and garden, with costumed life models and both a lovely morning tea and lunch. Bookings required.
On Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12, join us for an afternoon tea at 2pm, with a glass of bubbly and hear a special talk by Christine Lloyd on what connected the Leviny women with the artists Louie Riggall and Jessie Traill. Family, friendship, service and art all play a part. Bookings required.

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea 2024
2024-05-12 14:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
RIGGALL, Louisa (Louie)
From the collection of
Latrobe Regional Gallery
Family, friendship, service, art
As part of this years National Trust Heritage Festival, our Mother’s Day afternoon tea will be on Sunday 12th May 2024 commencing at 2pm with a talk by Christine Lloyd. A perfect way to spend a pleasurable Sunday afternoon.
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What connects the Leviny women with the artists Louie Riggall and Jessie Traill?
Family, friendship, service and art all play a part.
Christine Lloyd will reveal the many links between these amazing women to Castlemaine, the impact of their artistic studies in France and service as VADs (Voluntary Aid Detachment) during World War 1.
Christine is a Buda committee member and Tour Guide. A retired secondary Art and Design teacher, she loves to research the rich trove of information and stories behind the Buda Art Collection.
What you can expect

Sparkling wine on arrival
Savouries and sweets
Leaf tea and brewed coffee

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Please email any dietary restrictions

Jessie Traill (1881 -1967) Seascape with trees 1935

Louie Riggall Autumn in BrauntonCourtesy Castlemaine Art Museum

$45 ADULT $42 CONC
$40 FRIENDS OF BUDA

Ramble and Rowan with the Ryans
2024-06-22 11:00 - 14:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Stephen Ryan
Winter Garden ramble with Ryan Garratt, hot soup lunch and talk by Stephen Ryan on the botanical art of Ellis Rowan.
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Ryan Garratt
Ryan Garratt is Buda’s Garden Curator with over 25 years experience and also a Garden Educator for the Digger’s Club. Join him at 11am for a winter ramble in our 3 acre heritage garden to learn about its history, significance, what’s happening in the winter garden and future plans.

Ellis Rowan, Erythrina variegata L. synonym Erthrina indica Lam., pale flowered form, family Fabaceae, Queensland, 1891?, nla.cat-vn1317791

Stephen Ryan is an horticulturalist, nurseryman, collector, prolific writer and award-winning radio broadcaster and TV presenter and is the newly appointed Patron for the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria (RHSV). He is also the President of the Mt Macedon Horticultural Society, one of the oldest gardening clubs in Victoria.
Stephen lectures and holds seminars both in Australia as well as overseas. As a plant hunter and traveller he has travelled to many places in the world.
He has published three books on rare plants that have received rave reviews and his manual contains over 2000 plant entries of rare plants available in temperate Australia. He also contributed to the two large tomes produced in Australia Botanica and more recently Flora. Stephen’s garden and nursery Dicksonia Rare Plants hold three national plant collections, Cornus, Sambucus and Acanthus, for the Garden Plants Conservation Association of Australia.

The Horti-Culturalists
Join Stephen over a delicious hot soup lunch for a talk on Ellis Rowan and the Ellis Rowan project.
(Vegan, vegetarian and non vegetarian)

Sir John Longstaff, Ellis Rowan Memorial Portrait, 1926, nla.cat-vn1901331
Ellis Rowan was a world famous Australian artist who explored Australia and remote parts of the world hunting for wildflowers, rare plants, insects and birds to paint. She lived with her family at their Mount Macedon homes – first Derriweit Heights then The Cottage (now Viewfield). She was a prolific artist who from the 1870s to her death in 1922, painted some 3000 pictures. She won countless art prizes, the approval of botanists and the patronage of Queen Victoria and her work was collected internationally. Yet despite all the acclaim she received in her day, today very few people know her name and her legacy has been all but forgotten.
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The 2024 Josine McEwan fundraising dinner
2024-07-27 18:30 - 22:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Buda Historic Home and Garden, 42 Hunter St, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, 3450, Australia
Creative Heritage Gardens in a changing world. Andrew Laidlaw
SORRY – SOLD OUT
Come and join us for a 3 course winter meal for the annual Josine McEwan fund-raising dinner with Andrew Laidlaw, Landscape Architect with the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
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The late Josine McEwan was a volunteer in the garden at Buda Historic Home & Garden in Castlemaine. Knowing how important Buda is to the region and wanting it to remain open for future generations to enjoy, Josine left a generous bequest to Buda when she passed away in 2006. Since 2007 an annual lecture and fundraising dinner has been conducted in Josine’s memory.
Andrew Laidlaw is Landscape Architect at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (responsible for the design and implementation of numerous landscape projects at Melbourne Gardens), a Director of The Diggers Club Board, and the principal Designer for the Global Gardens of Peace project.
This year’s lecture presented by Andrew looks at how heritage and contemporary design work together and that both can support each other and need to provide the best outcomes for our gardens. History, sustainability, wellbeing, first nations, living collections, health and saftey and costs are all part of the complex layers in designing public space we must consider. In this changing world our gardens cannot afford to remain static, Gardens and their management must be creative in what experiences and engagement they provide. He will draw on his Botanic Gardens and private work and look at ways to find contemporary solutions to energising our landscapes.

The dinner includes a glass of bubbly on arrival followed by a delicious and seasonal three course winter meal.
Please let us know by email if you have dietary requirements.
Menu
Entree
Grazing platter provided by the Buda Team
Alternating mains provided by Lela Rudinica catering
Chicken involtini (Chicken in a parcel)
Lamb Shwarma (Roast lamb with spicy marinade served in slices)

Layered veg cake

Veg:
Potato gratin
Roasted pumpkin
Turkish green beans

Dessert
Basque Cheesecake (baked, gluten free and a bit lemony)
Pistachio nut cake
Both cakes to be served with a dollop of cream.
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Terry Jarvis Seasons of Buda
2024-08-23 17:00 - 2024-11-29 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Watercolour Exhibition 2024
Terry Jarvis was born and grew up in Castlemaine. It is where he developed a love and appreciation for the outdoors as a boy, playing in the creeks, fishing in the river and collecting fire wood in the bushland with his Dad. He started with sketching as a boy and it developed into a passion for his favourite medium, watercolour.
Terry is a regular tutor through out Australia and overseas and has award winning paintings in private collections world wide.
“I am inspired every day by the kangaroo’s amongst the gum trees and the ever changing beauty of the forest. I love the challenge that every water colour painting brings, to catch the light and those special moments in time.”
Please joins us for wine and canapés to open the exhibition on Friday August 23. Exhibition viewings from 5pm followed by drinks in the Garden Room, where House Curator Sarah Fraser will officially open the exhibition and we will hear from Terry about his connection to Buda.
The exhibition continues in the house right through until November 30. General admission applies. Paintings will be for sale.

Tomato, Know, Sow, Grow
2024-10-05 11:00 - 14:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Penny Woodward
Spring Garden ramble with Ryan Garratt, hot soup lunch and talk by Penny Woodward on heirloom tomatoes.
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Ryan Garratt is Buda’s Garden Curator with over 25 years experience and also a Garden Educator for the Digger’s Club. Join him at 11am for a spring ramble in our 3 acre heritage garden as it springs to life for the new season.
Penny Woodward is an award winning gardening author and educator. Over a hot soup lunch following the ramble, she will explore heirloom tomatoes and the different phytonutrients they contain, depending on their colours. Following the latest advice to eat 30 different fruits and vegetables a week, different coloured tomatoes count as different fruit/vegies. So growing and eating a rainbow of tomato colours is good. Penny will also have her books for sale on the day.

(Vegan, vegetarian and non vegetarian soup available)
Please email us here to et us know of any dietary restriction.
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Watercolour Workshop with Terry Jarvis
2024-11-02 09:30 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Painting the beauty of Buda with Terry Jarvis
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This one day Watercolour Workshop with Terry Jarvis will include instruction in catching the light, composition, tone, handling colour, connecting buildings to the landscape, and telling your story visually in Watercolour.
Terry Jarvis was born and grew up in Castlemaine. It is where he developed a love and appreciation for the outdoors as a boy, playing in the creeks, fishing in the river and collecting fire wood in the bushland with his Dad. He started with sketching as a boy and it developed into a passion for his favourite medium, watercolour.
Terry is a regular tutor through out Australia and overseas and has award winning paintings in private collections world wide.
“I am inspired every day by the kangaroo’s amongst the gum trees and the ever changing beauty of the forest. I love the challenge that every water colour painting brings, to catch the light and those special moments in time.”
Weather permitting you will be painting en plain air outside in the beautiful Buda gardens and surrounds unfolding the majesty, charm, and history of one of Australia’s most important buildings from the Goldfields era as we paint.
Terry will guide you through your wonderful journey in Watercolour.
9.30 am – 4pm Saturday 2nd November
Please download the Watercolour Workshop Requirement Details and further information.
All of these requirements are only a guide. Terry is super flexible and will work together with your equipment.
…. And of course, bring yourself!
Don’t forget to view Terry’s Seasons of Buda exhibition in the house running until the 30th November.
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Drawing Workshop with Mark Dober
2024-11-03 12:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Mark Dober will be conducting a drawing workshop at Buda, on Sunday 3 November 2024. The 4 hour workshop runs from 12 noon to 4 pm.
Mark makes his paintings and drawings in the landscape. Since moving from Melbourne to Castlemaine in 2016, his work has been mostly made at a variety of sites in this region.
Working on site he seeks to convey the experiential with directness and immediacy. His response comprises a blend of the observed and imagined. He views the organic relationship between looking and mark making as intrinsic to the meaning of his work — integrated expressions of a direct and tactile engagement with place. He wants the viewer to experience a sense of immersion by physically engaging in the activity of viewing that mirrors his own physical engagement when making the work.
Description of workshop
We will draw in the gardens of Buda. The intention is to make 3 drawings:
The first drawing will be in charcoal, buiding the work with tone and mark making (and using the eraser).
The second drawing will be using two dry media – commencing with red/brown conte, then progressing to charcoal (and using the eraser). This drawing is layered and well reveals the process of looking and construction.
The third drawing will be using black ink and a brush. The first application will be in light grey. The second application will be much more black.
A set amount of time will be allocated to each drawing. You may not finish one or more of these drawings, they are exercises in drawing techinique/method. I will demonstrate at the commencement of each drawing. Where there is time left over, you can either go back to completing a drawing, or start a new one, deciding what media to use and how to proceed.
This workshop will introduce you to different methods of obervational drawing, using differing media in a purposeful way. It will expand your technical range and provide you with drawing skills that underpin.painting. While especially useful for artists with experience in drawing, the workshop can also accomodate adults with little or no drawing experience.
Cost: The workshop is $100. Included in the cost is the paper, drawing boards, and drawing materials that Mark will provide (you can bring your own paper/materials if you like). Additionally, there will be a $10/$12 entry fee into Buda, which you pay when you come to the workshop.
Please email Mark at – info@markdober.com – to book your participation. Closer to the time of the workshop he will call for payment.
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Traditional Arts Fair 2024
2024-11-17 10:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
The Traditional Arts Fair 2024 is back on the 17th November.

Buda brings the Traditional Arts Fair to Castlemaine on Sunday November 17th from 10am till 4pm. Set amongst the spectacular spring garden Buda will showcase traditional arts, cooking and gardening in as many and varied forms as possible, in the spirit of the Leviny daughters. Embroidery, book binding, saffron, weaving, garden crafts, metalwork, felting, painting, jewellery, cooking, handmade body products, basket weaving and much more!
The fair will also feature handcrafted ice cream, coffee, a gourmet BBQ, Devonshire teas and light lunches. There will be something to satisfy every palate.
With three stages hosting free demonstrations, individual demonstrations at each stall, roving musicians and a special guest artist in residence, there will be plenty of entertainment and opportunities to learn. Families can enjoy children’s activities to keep the little ones engaged and entertained throughout the day. There will be a Make’n Take table where you can learn to make some beautiful copper wares and there will be guided tours of the house at various times throughout the day.
Adults are only 5 dollars and kids are free, so don’t miss out on a fantastic family day out.
Gates are open at 10am until 4pm.
Buy your tickets at the gate

Pets not allowed please.
Assistance dogs welcome.

Buda’s famous produce will once again be on sale all day.

Download the Map and stallholder list>

Would you like to make your own handcrafted wares at the fair?
Try the Make ‘n Take table >more details
Master of Buda Traditional Arts workshops, Andrea McKey will help you use very simple techniques to make colourful and joyous plant pots to take home and brighten up your day.

The Free Demonstrations time table is here>

2024 Raffle.
1st Prize Handcrafted Quilt by Diane Linton worth $1200 WON BY Janine Groves
2nd Prize Artisan wares by Andrea McKey $600 WON BY Karen Moses
3rd Prize Basket of Buda produce $200 WON BY C. Namo
Plus! the every popluar Gingerbread house by Liz Beck WON BY Grace

Small Group Guided tours of the House
11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm
Buda’s specialist Tour Guides will take you on a tour of the house and tell you the story of the Leviny family.
Bookings required at the booking table, then meet at the rear of the house assembly area. (See map)
Special fair price $5

Food! Handcrafted Icecream by Icecream Republic, Coffee by Brewtech, Thai Laksa and Khao Soi by Duang Tengtrirat.

Gourmet BBQ including kids BBQ, Teas, cakes and scones in the Tea Rooms

Free Kids activities on the lawn 10am – 3pm

Great fun music with the Kyneton Street Band

All our stalls are booked for 2024. If you are interested in going on a wait list to hold a stall of your handcrafts, please email secretary@budacastlemaine.org if you would like to run a stall of your handcrafts on the day.

Traditional Arts Fair Make 'n Take
2024-11-17 10:30 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Would you like to make your own handcrafted wares at the fair?
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Master of Buda Traditional Arts workshops, Andrea McKey will help you use very simple techniques to make colourful and joyous plant pots to take home and brighten up your day.
Andrea is passionate about art, colour, patterns and the joy it brings to her life every day. She believes in the joy of dreams, ideas and materials, the teaching, the learning, the making, the giving and receiving. Art is such a giver of joy, first to the maker, then the buyer and/or the receiver.
All materials and tools will be provided.
Strictly limited numbers. Ages 12+ You can book in advance to secure your place or take a chance of a place being available on the day.
Only $15 per person, per session
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Back to Traditional Arts Fair 2024 <
