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| Offer artists, art students, photographers and writers the opportunity to engage creatively with some of our most beautiful and remote country. With many years experience in this field we provide a comfortable, supportive, camping environment that will recharge your spirit and inspire your work. |
More about Us - scroll down to testimonials
DEBORAH CLARKEDeborah Clarke lives in Alice Springs with her partner, biologist Dr. Charlie Carter. Together they operate Larapinta Creative camps, providing all aspects of the business as a team of two. The first Creative Camp was in Sept. 2003. Deborah's background is in professional art practice and education (teaching Fine Arts at Tafe NSW and Charles Darwin University NT). Her approach to creativity is broad, working in a variety of media from traditional drawing and painting to digital imaging, photography and creative writing. An active member of the vibrant Alice art community, she regularly exhibits in Alice Springs and in March 2007 exhibited at Gallery Gondwana in Sydney and then again in May 07 at Araluen, the Regional Gallery in Alice Springs. In the last couple of years she has focussed on her contribution to STUDIO 12, a cooperative gallery that she initiated with fellow Alice artists in November 08. In 2009 she was invited to exhibit with 5 Sydney Artists at Watch This Space Gallery in Alice Springs and also at the Peta Appleyard Gallery, a beautiful new gallery on Todd Mall. She moved to Alice springs from Sydney in 2002. Though she exhibited in Sydney prior to moving to here, this last 9 years in the Centre has generated a new level of productivity, experimentation and maturity in her visual work. Her poems and short stories have also been included in anthologies published here and Interstate. She sometimes teaches digital imaging at Charles Darwin University in Alice Springs through the Fine Arts dept. Currently she is employed 2 days a week at Ngurajuta Aboriginal Art Centre as a art educator and consultant. She brings to her role as teacher an empathic understanding of the creative process and professional knowledge of a broad spectrum of art media including new technology. A willing communicator, and natural teacher, she enjoys the process of helping her students realise their creative potential in whatever medium they choose to work. view some of Deborah's work click
here
Dr CHARLIE CARTER Charlie has lived in Alice springs for 20 years. He considered himself a true 'territorian' but is by no means parochial in outlook. He has a Phd. in Biology from Sydney University and despite a newly acquired state of semi retirement, is relentless in his pursuit of information about science, sustainability, politics and the environment. His semi retirement is not from scientific pursuits but from his role as tour operator and manager of Trek Larapinta. For 12 years he provided supported walking tours on The Larapinta Trail through the West Macdonnell Ranges. Deborah joined him in 2002 which made the job a little easier. Together they make excellent camp hosts, bringing to the task a wonderful mix of art, science, poetry and practiciality. Charlie grew up on a farm in NSW and was given the mandatory education in 'how to fix something with nothing' that every farm boy receives. But he has more than a rural love for nature in all its manifestations. His scientific background and years researching in the arid zones of Australia makes his knowledge and understanding of this ecosystem an invaluable rescource. He is a wonderful teacher and great orator with many a good yarn to tell around the fire. He is also a fabulous cook. He came to Alice Springs to work in Land Management for the Central Land Council. This role and other work as a consultant for aboriginal organisations in western NSW has given him first hand experince of the cultural interface so integral to life in Alice Springs. He has a good understanding of aboriginal issues and culture and is an advocate for human rights. Check out Charlie as he heads up the Regional Arts Conference in Alice in 2008. Its beautiful! Click Here |
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What others have said about their experience... I had a wonderful week at Ruby Gap! First thing I did when I got home was zip out and get some oil crayons. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, expertise, patience and good humour. You and Charlie, both of you's ears should be burning because I'm telling everyone what a good time we had and how well you looked after us. It was amazing to be in that wild beautiful bend in the river bed and yet be so comfortable and well fed! Elizabeth Honey (Award winning writer and children's book illustrator) "Thankyou for your wonderful hospitality out in the heart of Australia. Deb your infectious, childlike view of the abundant beauty has translated into a clear understanding of finding ways to connect with the landscape. By showing us windows to peek through into all the splendour I have understood better how to pay homage to the magic that surrounds us all the time. What a brilliant experience!" Natalie Penn 08 "Charlie your cooking and tireless work was much appreciated. To have a week off from organising food and family was an important part of the experience for me and helped me focus on the landscape. I was a bit nervous about drawing and painting intially but over the week I found i was enjoying exploring, playing and then producing work. I felt the creative process bought me closer to the landscape which is where I wanted to be." Cathy Mulcahy 08 I am astonished at the amount of pleasure I gained from sitting, watching and attempting to draw/paint what I saw. The enjoyment was in the "doing", and I can't wait to have another try - hopefully tomorrow. The other wonderful happening is that Angus has as much enthusiasm as I have for continuing our new found "artistic" lives. Anne Young 08 |
"This was a really creative camp and a wonderful experience. As an inexperienced camper I had a lot to learn, and I did. The camp has provided time out to consider life and the direction I would like to go in my art. Thankyou for the great walks, activities, meals and facilities. And the knowledge you have both shared with us. Amazing! Pippin Magaria Oct 06 "what a week! it has been amazing being part of this wonderful environment, so much more beautiful than I ever imagined. The colours, the light and the tranquility have a magic all their own. Also being part of an amazing group of creative beings has been a priviledge. I go home enthused and filled with new ideas and determined to spend more time with my art. Thanks Deb for sharing your immense creativity and to you both for making the camp so comfortable and easy and for the fabulous meals Charlie. Jan Burne Oct 06 "It
was wonderful to be able to just draw and 'be drawn' into this amazing
environment. I felt safe and cared for and free to explore the beauty
both physically and visually. Lois, July
05 this has been a wonderful week in many ways...mostly because I feel as if some part of me has been unlocked! What has emerged is a me more brave, carefree and confident. You have helped me ‘see’ more and ‘care’ less! Bev Dunphy, Oct 03:
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