Urban Inspirations: Sketching Workshop – Creativity and Connections for International Students in Melbourne

BY AWCPD Event & Media Team

Melbourne, VIC – On 20 September 2025 – International students in Melbourne are invited to take part in Urban Inspirations: Sketching Workshop, a free cultural engagement activity that combines creativity, exploration, and community connection. Organised by the Australia Women and Children Protection Development (AWCPD) under the Victoria Art & Cultural Trail program, as part of the State Government’s Study Melbourne Inclusion Program (SMIP) with support from Study Melbourne. This free workshop, led by a professional Melbourne-based artist, invited students to explore the city’s vibrant streets and laneways through the practice of sketching.

A CREATIVE JOURNEY THROUGH MELBOURNE

Over the course of the afternoon, students were guided through sketching fundamentals such as line work, shading, and composition. With sketchbooks in hand, they found inspiration in Melbourne’s dynamic urban landscape — from hidden laneways to bustling cityscapes.

Many participants noted how the activity encouraged them to see Melbourne differently, noticing textures, shapes, and details in the city that they might have otherwise overlooked.

“I’ve walked past these streets so many times, but sketching made me slow down and really look at Melbourne’s character,” shared one international student.

ART, CONNECTIONS AND STUDENT LIFE

The workshop was more than an art class. It also served as a welcoming space for international students to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds. Working side by side, students exchanged ideas, encouraged each other, and shared their creative progress throughout the session. The event venue was proudly supported by the World Trade Centre (WTC), providing an inspiring backdrop for creativity and connection.

A PROGRAM CELEBRATING CULTURAL EXCHANGE

By the end of the day, participants took home their own collection of sketches — tangible reminders of both their artistic growth and their Melbourne student experience.

Urban Inspirations: Sketching Workshop was part of the Victoria Art & Cultural Trail (VACT), a cultural engagement program designed to enrich international student life in Victoria. The initiative highlights how Melbourne, often celebrated as one of the world’s most student-friendly cities, offers opportunities beyond the classroom — encouraging exploration, creativity, and cultural exchange.

The event drew strong interest and filled its limited capacity, reflecting the enthusiasm of Melbourne’s international student community for hands-on, creative experiences that combine learning with cultural immersion.

LOOKING AHEAD

As the VACT program approaches its finale, the last free event for international students — Artistic Impressions: A Guided Art Tour — will take place on 18 October 2025, bringing the program to a close with another enriching cultural experience.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION & PAST EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

For more information about the VACT program, visit our website: https://www.wcpd.org.au/vact

NEXT UPCOMING EVENT

Artistic Impressions: A Guided Art Tour - Sat, 18 OCT 2025

Media Contact

marketing@wcpd.org.au