What Is The Winter Gathering?
An evening of stories, music, creativity, conversation and community inspired by this season's theme: Hidden Growth.
Winter is often treated as something to endure until the real living can begin again. We rush through it.
Distract ourselves from it. Wish it away.
But what if winter has something to teach us?
What if some of the most important things happening in our lives are currently invisible? What if growth isn't always obvious? What if uncertainty, waiting and becoming have value of their own?
The evening will feature an artist's reflection on hidden growth from Kendall Bryant, a live chat show featuring special guests sharing wisdom about hidden growth and unexpected becomings, music and performances, creative participation and art making, shared food, and opportunities for meaningful conversation and connection. Together, we'll explore the hidden things taking root beneath the surface of our lives.
Part gathering. Part conversation. Part creative adventure.
Whether you are in a season of change, waiting, reinvention, creativity, uncertainty or quiet becoming,
we would love you to join us.
Come curious.
Leave with something to ponder.
What to Expect
An Artist's Reflection
A thought-provoking reflection from Kendall Bryant exploring hidden growth, creativity, uncertainty and the strange, beautiful ways we become.
A Live Chat Show Featuring Special Guests
A hosted conversation with invited guests sharing wisdom about hidden growth, unexpected becomings, the unseen experiences that shape our lives, and what it means to navigate the hidden seasons of life.
Music and Performances
Enjoy music and creative performances from Kendall Bryant, the AFPS Theatre Choir and guest artists (details coming soon).
Creative Participation
Take part in a simple creative experience exploring the theme: hidden growth. No artistic experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to play, reflect and contribute (only as much as you want to, of course. It's perfectly fine to simply wander and watch).
Soup, Warm Drinks and Good Company
Gather around a bowl of homemade soup, enjoy warm drinks (or cold, or a smooth glass of wine—whatever you fancy), and connect with others throughout the evening.
Good Humans and Warm Hospitality
Whether you arrive with friends or come on your own, you'll be warmly welcomed. Introverts, extroverts, deep thinkers, curious wanderers and slightly confused humans are all encouraged to attend.
The Studio Collection
Browse a collection of artworks, photography, prints, gifts, jewellery and creative treasures from Kendall Bryant's studio. Some are made by Kendall, some are carefully selected to support future creative projects, and all are available to browse and purchase on the night.
Space To Linger
This is not a rush-in, rush-out event. There will be time to explore, create, browse, connect, reflect and enjoy meaningful conversation throughout the evening.
Something To Take With You
Not a goodie bag. Something better. A question, a conversation, a new perspective, or perhaps just a gentle reminder that growth isn't always visible.
Meet The Guests
coming soon
Who Is This For?
The Winter Gathering is for artists, dreamers, thinkers, makers, seekers, community-builders and curious humans.
It's for people navigating change. People asking questions. People sitting in uncertainty. People beginning again.
People quietly becoming.
It's for those who enjoy meaningful conversations, creative experiences and gathering with others around ideas that matter.
You don't need to be artistic. You don't need to be particularly reflective. You don't need to have your life sorted out.
You don't need to know anyone.
Whether you arrive full of ideas, carrying questions, feeling inspired, feeling stuck, or simply looking for an interesting way to spend a winter evening, you'll be warmly welcomed.
Book Your Place
If this sounds like your kind of winter evening, we'd love you to join us.
Come for the stories, the music, the conversation, the creativity, the soup, the remarkable humans, or simply because something about the question What Grows in the Dark? won't leave you alone.
Bring a friend or come on your own.
Come curious.
Leave with something to ponder.
Saturday 18 July
5pm - 8:30pm
3 Ellingworth Parade, Box Hill
Tickets: $25
Young People Welcome
Children and teenagers under 16 are welcome to attend free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
While the themes and conversations are suitable for all ages, much of the discussion is aimed at adults and older teens. Younger children may find some parts of the evening less engaging, although art-making materials and creative activities will be available. My own teens will be there, and families are warmly welcome.