Maruku Arts
Art Galleries • Lessons & Workshops
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
We are a proud Indigenous Tourism Champion and a not-for-profit art & craft corporation 100% owned and controlled by Anangu (Aboriginal people from the Central and Western deserts) for over 30 years. Approximately 900 artists make up the collective that is Maruku. We exist to benefit the artists, their families, their communities and play a key role in keeping the traditional cultural practices strong and alive throughout the Anangu lands. Maruku is a regional art centre and, therefore, a representative of Anangu culture and art. Our commitment to excellence is driven by the fact that we are a direct link between Anangu culture and tourism to the area, a role we take seriously. We want to educate our visitors about Anangu culture and history; in turn cultivating respect and understanding for this ancient culture and its differences to our own.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
123 reviews
Excellent
102
Very good
15
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Rachel H
Hackham217 contributions
Jan 2023
I decided at the last minute to do one of the dot painting workshop with Maruku Arts, held in the town square garden at Yulara Resort. It was one of the best decisions I had made on my red centre holiday. '

I have always wanted to learn more about indigenous culture and dot painting and this certainly fitted the bill! I don't have a huge budget and am certainly not an art snob in any way, but I did say that if I did buy art I wanted to buy it directly from the artist at the time.

Warmly welcomed by both the interpreter (Paulina) and the local indigenous artist herself (Evelyn). There was only one other person doing this workshop today so we both felt it not only a privilege but felt we got a more "one on one" experience which was amazing. Evelyn taught us some local indigenous symbols in the sand and learning some local words such as Piti, mala, kuniya, liru etc...a few laughs too. We then got down to the painting itself. I am not artistic in any way but I did my best with lots of colour! While we were doing our painting Evelyn was painting one at the same time.

IT truly was a relaxing experience and I loved it! I was honoured to buy the artwork that Evelyn painted at a very reasonable price (discussed with the artist and interpreter directly) which possibly would have sold for twice as much through a gallery. Evelyn also gave me some local bush medicine which she had made herself (but sadly I can't remember what is in it).

Overall a very relaxing experience even for a non-artist like myself. I will definitely do another workshop if I am back at Uluru/yulara resort in the future! Highly recommended.
Written January 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Cessalee S
2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
What a great experience! Yvette (proud Anangu woman) and Paulina shared such beautiful stories about the art and of the traditional stories of the Anangu people. It was a beautiful session and we were encouraged to use inspiration to create our stories too. Perfect way to spend a morning.
Written March 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Jodz04
Adelaide, Australia256 contributions
Apr 2022
I really enjoyed learning more about the Anangu culture through the stories in the sand that Sarah a local indigenous artist was sharing. The session was so interesting, engaging and educational. Then it was time for me to have a try, I was given a mini canvas and encouraged to create my own dot painting. At the end of the session we put all our paintings together and shared our stories with the group. A great activity for all ages.
Written May 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Sharon
2 contributions
Jan 2023
The whole session was excellent. Imogen was a very friendly and well organised host. We were thrilled to have Evelyn to demonstrate her painting style and to tell us about her stories and culture. We learnt such a lot and it has given us a new perspective on Uluru and the local indigenous people.
Written January 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Paula G
1 contribution
Sep 2022
3 of us did the dot painting workshop with Kylie and please forgive me but I
didn’t catch the ladies name working with her but she was a lovely host. I was with my disabled Aunt who will be celebrating her 70th birthday next month, Aunty Jen. Aunty Jen loved the workshop, she has taken her little masterpiece and framed it on her wall where she lives in care. The workshop was informative, we learnt about the different symbols used to portray places, people and things. We really loved the experience of painting using these symbols and creating our own to represent our own journeys. I think most people there could have quite happily sat all afternoon painting, I know we could have. Highly enjoyable, highly recommend. Thank you Ladies
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

JElliot32
New South Wales, Australia3,622 contributions
Jun 2021
There are a few galleries within the Cultural Centre at Uluru and Maruku Arts was our favourite. They had a very wide selection of local indigenous artworks, artifacts and jewellery on display and you will find their prices are very reasonable. The gallery is not for profit, owned and operated by local indigenous people and represents artists from many small indigenous communities across the Central and Western Deserts, in the NT, WA and SA.
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

DavM5412
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Jun 2022
Palya - thank you Evelyn one of the local indigenous artists for sharing the Aṉangu culture with us. The use of symbols drawn in the red sand was interesting, educational and a little daunting when it came time to create our own dot painting life’s story. When we finished we each shared our own interpretation of our painting. A great activity for all ages not just the kids!
Written June 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

40girl
Melbourne, Australia75 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We weren’t sure what to expect with this experience & my partner was a little hesitant. We ended up really enjoying our time. We were lucky enough to meet Valerie Brumby who showed us some symbols in the sand to give us inspiration to work on our own paintings.
It was fun to try the dot painting & much harder than it looks! The time flew & we then put all our paintings in the ground to dry & got to talk about it if we wished.
A great activity for children & adults alike. Would highly recommend. I ended up buying one of Valerie’s works too! Thank you.
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

DebDeb2013
Perth, Australia56 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
Palya - thank you Evelyn one of the local indigenous artists & story tellers
for sharing the Aṉangu culture & creation stories with us. Your description of area of Uluṟu was very important to me & I can see & feel the rock in a new & different way. Evelyn it was a very cold morning & you were very generous with your time & descriptions.
I loved seeing the story unfold as you drew in the red sand. This was powerful.

Thank you so much for sharing the Aṉangu culture with us. The use of symbols drawn in the red sand was interesting, educational and spiritual.

Thank for showing us you canvas paintings too

Next time I will come & paint with you.
Written June 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Nicole C
27 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
Excellent interaction between the Aṉangu, interpreter and painters! The whole encounter from booking to painting was extremely accomodating. Loved they way Maruku Arts work with First Nations people and community to showcase the culture
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Maruku Arts (Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Maruku Arts

Maruku Arts is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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