Dot Painting Workshop in Uluru

• 1.5 hour fascinating art class with a local Anangu artist
• Fun introduction to Aboriginal culture and beliefs
• Learn about ancient symbols used in Anangu art and teachings
• Learn some introductory Pitjantjatjara words (Pitjantjatjara is a local language spoken by Anangu).
• Take home an amazing dot painting of your own story
• Please note: Bookings require a minimum of 5 people to confirm

We love that you get to experience Aboriginal traditions directly on this tour. Meeting a local Anangu artist and learning some Pitanjara words is a great way to get an insight into this incredible culture! 

Learn about one of the most fascinating cultures in the world! Prepare to be amazed as you go on an unforgettable journey deep into the heart and soul of Aboriginal culture. It’s the oldest surviving culture in the world! You’ll be blown away by the fascinating stories and language of these ancient indigenous people.

During this 1.5 hour workshop, a local Aboriginal artist will demonstrate the strong link between Aboriginal art and history. You’ll get an introduction to several intriguing desert art forms and you’ll even get the chance to paint your very own traditional dot painting! 

Itinerary:
There are more than 500 indigenous tribes or nations spread out through Australia. One of them is the Anangu people who live in the Central Australian desert near Uluru or Ayers Rock. The Anangu have been very successful in keeping alive their traditional language and culture and they still have a close relationship with nature. They are protectors of one of Australia’s biggest tourist attractions, Uluru - a sacred Anangu site. For thousands of years, this area has had a strong symbolic value and it continues to be covered in mystery. 

Today, you'll meet some of the Anangu people and discover more about their culture, traditions and language. Enjoy a dot painting workshop with a local artist - a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience this fascinating culture first hand. 

During the workshop, you’ll be introduced to different desert art forms. The local Anangu artists are highly experiences, but be careful – their passion is contagious! There’s a chance you’ll end up discovering an unknown talent for dot painting.

You'll learn about the symbols and styles used to tell stories in Indigenous culture. These painting styles and special symbols tell stories from the so-called Creation time or Tjukurpa. Relaying the past is an important aspect of Indigenous art, and cave paintings and other artwork make it possible to travel back in time and understand ancient tales. This is why dot painting is such an important part of Aboriginal culture - it’s a fantastic way to see what happened in the past. 

As you learn about these traditions, you'll chat with the artist too, and learn some introductory Pitanjara words.

Then, the highlight of the day! You'll get to get to test your own artistic skills. Using the tips and tricks you’ve learned during the workshop, you’ll paint your very own story. 

The best part is that when you’re done, you can take home a beautiful little piece of indigenous art. What better souvenir to ask for?

Tours occur daily:

April - September: 11.30am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 3.30pm.

October - March: 10.30am - 12.00pm and 1.30pm - 3.00pm.