Tinker with tools, wire and tin to create a wind sculpture with artist Amanda Stuart. Be inspired by the turning windmill, the creaking weather vane, singing fence wire, metal objects rattling and clinking in the wind. Take a walk and explore the rural environment at Lanyon using the self guide discovery map.

Amanda Stuart is a Canberra based visual artist. Her practice embraces drawing, object making, sculptural installation, performance interventions in environments and the photo documentation of her work in situ. After studying land management and earth sciences at university, Amanda worked as a park ranger. She studied an Honors degree in sculpture at the ANU School of Art, and went on to complete a PhD in Visual Art, also in the Sculpture Workshop.

Kids and their carers tinkered at Lanyon’s Machinery Shed on Wednesday 12 August. On a spectacularly clear winter day, participants were inspired by the stunning Seneschal windmill in clear view across the paddocks. Guided by local artist Amanda Stuart, kids used pliers and hammers to attach, support and suspend a wide selection of metal and wire to realise their imaginings into creative form. We even noticed an eagle soaring high in the sky! After the sculpting session, families set off on a self-guided discovery walk through the precinct to notice features near and far, including the anemometer attached to the homestead roof. This program was the third of its kind to be held across ACT Historic Places, and a similar program will be offered at Mugga-Mugga Cottage in spring.