On Thursday 7 August, I joined fellow puppeteer Kay Yasugi at a special event celebrating Norman Hetherington’s remarkable career. With his daughter Rebecca, grandson Tom, and curator Danielle Cassar sharing stories, the evening was full of inspiration, laughter, and fascinating insights into the life of Australia’s beloved Mr Squiggle.

On 23 July, I kicked off my first art session at Gungahlin Community Centre, guiding participants as they explored abstract painting and created their own unique masterpieces.

What a week! 🎉 My sold-out puppetry workshops at the National Museum of Australia were pure joy — over 200 kids made and performed their own puppets to celebrate Mr Squiggle & Friends! If you missed out, you can still download my free Paper Marionette template (see blog for details)!
I’m excited to share I’ll be back at the NMA these Sept/Oct school holidays with even more puppetry fun! 🎭

Nine young creatives, two days, countless puppets! From learning marionettes and glove puppets to crafting their own characters from recycled materials, the July holiday workshop at Braidwood Academy of Creative Arts ended in a heartwarming performance for family and friends.

I attended the opening of Mr Squiggle and Friends at the National Museum of Australia — a powerful and emotional celebration of puppetry, legacy, and childhood wonder. Surrounded by my heroes, I was reminded exactly why I’ve chosen to return to puppetry and the arts full time.

There’s so much happening this winter at Access Art Academy – from delicious art nights and puppetry adventures, to cosy Dutch classes online. Whether you’re keen to pick up a brush, build a puppet, or learn a new language, now’s the time to jump in!

Yesterday I had the absolute joy of chatting live with James Findlay on ABC Radio Canberra—and what a treat it was! We talked all about Make Art, Eat Cake, the power of creativity, and why making space for joyful, pressure-free art is something we all need a little more of.
Watch the full ABC Canberra interview

The lovely folks at HerCanberra captured the heart of what this workshop is all about—creativity, connection, and a generous slice of something sweet. The article, “Move over paint and sip: Make Art, Eat Cake comes to Lyneham”, highlights the joy and intention behind this unique experience, and I couldn't be more grateful.

You can read the full HerCanberra article here.

Shadow Puppetry PD Workshops – In-Person & Online!

Access Art Academy is offering two upcoming shadow puppetry workshops just for educators! Learn how to create expressive puppets and bring storytelling to life using simple materials—perfect for literacy, drama, and visual arts.

✨ Online: Saturday 10 May, 10am–12pm
🏫 In-Person (Canberra): Wednesday 26 June, 4:00–6:00pm
📚 ACT teachers receive 2 hours of TQI hours
👉 Book now: accessartacademy.com/puppetry-classes

We’re excited to announce new Dutch language courses now available at Access Art Academy! Taught by native Dutch speaker Marion Verbruggen, these online classes are designed for adult learners for a range of levels—from complete beginners to intermediate speakers.

All sessions are live via Google Meet, with small class sizes, personalised support. Courses begin in May—don’t miss out!

👉 Explore and enrol here: accessartacademy.com/dutch-classes

Looking for a creative escape with a side of cake? Join award-winning artist and puppeteer Marianne Mettes for a relaxed, beginner-friendly art workshop at The Front Gallery & Cafe, Lyneham.

Make Art – Eat Cake is all about creativity, connection, and cake (of course!). No experience needed—just come along, enjoy some mindful art-making, and treat yourself to coffee and cake in a welcoming space.

📅 Monday 28 April | ⏰ 10am–12pm
📍 The Front Gallery & Cafe, Lyneham
🎟 Includes art materials, coffee & cake
Book now: https://www.accessartacademy.com/artclasses/p/make-art-eat-cake

What an incredible weekend it’s been! I was honoured to take part in this year’s Arts Up Front Conference, a vibrant gathering of educators, artists, and creatives from across primary and secondary schools in Canberra, all passionate about the transformative power of the arts in education.