We offer artists, writers, and photographers, from novice to professional, the opportunity to engage creatively with some of the most inspiring locations in Central Australia.

Larapinta Creative Camps in Central Australia offer a unique opportunity for artists, writers and photographers to revel in extraordinary landscape, its vivid colour, detail and splendor.

We cater for people at all levels of creative experience in a supportive, small group environment, providing delicious meals, fine wine and great coffee, the chance to unwind, forget about those emails, mobiles, the world for a while, and simply create!

Camp hosts are Deborah Clarke and Dr. Charlie Carter. Charlie is a biologist with deep knowledge of the bush, its fauna, flora and geology. Deborah is a practising artist and educator. She encourages creative exploration and offers expert facilitation in a variety of media to those that want it. Others work independently on their own projects, taking advantage of the excellent facilities and support.

The campsites are often remote and always very beautiful. We camp in the one spot for the whole week with jaunts (walking or 4W driving) to nearby locations of interest. This enables a fully immersive engagement with the land and your artwork.  We take great care to provide everything you need in the way of comfort, safety and inspiration with a minimum of environmental impact. Though most are remote bush camps with no inbuilt amenities we create a surprising level of luxury in our ‘Thousand Star’ hotel! A couple of camp locations even offer a hot shower and flush toilet.

The Creative Camps provide support and tuition (optional) for a spectrum of media:

Photography: Central Australia is a serious photographers paradise, but almost all participants take photos as a record and reference for future artwork. Deborah, a keen photographer and Photoshop expert, is happy to share her knowledge.

Drawing: Central Australia offers a wellspring of information and inspiration to ‘draw’ on: rock formations, textures, beautiful trees and unusual patterns repeated in the macro and micro views. A variety of drawing media is provided and Deborah has some ‘unfailable’ drawing exercises for those that desire direction.

Painting: For Plein Air painters Central Australia is a delight with its astonishing colour and light. For abstract painters there is a overarching sense of spirit and place to tap into to. We provide, boards, easels and other painting paraphernalia.

Printmaking: Our outdoor ‘studio’ marquee creates the necessary refuge from the elements required for basic print making; lino block, plant stencils and collagraphs.

Mixed Media: Central Australia and Mixed Media share the spirit of playful adventure. Deborah encourages experimentation, with years of experience to support your process and new things for you to try.

Writing: The storied landscape of Central Australia will kindle your inspiration, its spirit will support your personal process.

We are a small business, owned and operated from Alice Springs. We enjoy sharing with you the country we know and love so well. The locations and dates of the camps are listed on our website: www.larapintacreativecamps.com.au