Learn how to build a stonewall

Imagine yourself in the 1800’s standing in the landscape.

Imagine searching for stones and transporting them across the fields. Imagine the lava flows and the stones that formed from the volcanic eruptions two million years ago. Invent a character who might have worked on the stonewalls.

Personalise a stone with your initials, an image or a symbol. Work alongside friends and the memories of past workers to make a new stonewall at the Warrnambool Art Gallery on Saturday 23 February from 9.30am to 5.00pm.

Participants will work with Artist Jondi Keane, Artist Raelene Marshall; Writer Patrick West; Professional Stonewallers David Long and Alistair Tune.

• We will provide refreshments (Gatorade)
• We will provide the stones (15 tonnes)
• We will provide paper, pens and paint to write and personalise the stones.
• Bring your lunch
• Bring a hat, long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen
• Bring work gloves- suede (we will have some extra available)
• Bring protective eye wear (we will have some extra available)
• Wear work boots or athletic shoes (no open-toe shoes)

Workshop schedule

9.30am to 11.00am - Preparation: setting the scene, personalizing the stones, sorting the stones
11.00am to12.30pm - Begin construction
12.30pm to 1.00pm - Lunch
1.00pm to 2.45pm - Building the walls
2.45pm to 3.00pm - Break
3.00pm to 5.00pm - Set the coping stones, finish the day’s work and clean-up

Children under 13 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Because we have limited number of spots for building the stonewall, please contact Jondi Keane.

Everyone is invited to participate in the writing and personalising of the stones and to cheer on the workers during the day.

The Ghost Muscle stonewalling workshop is part of a larger project called “Flows and Catchments” developed by a group of artists and researchers at Deakin University in the Centre for Memory, Imagination and Invention.

Learn more