Dear Brain Dump Diaries: Junk Journalling Workshops

Creative development, workshops

2026

Need a fun antidote to screen overload? A place to hang out with other local creatives and go back to a simpler time? Dear Brain Dump Diaries is your space to let your creativity lead while your brain takes a well-earned breather.

Register now

Building upon its first iteration as part of Youth Week 2026 in collaboration with Fairfield Libraries, the Dear Brain Dump Diaries: Junk Journalling Workshops will continue to be co-led by Miranda Aguilar and Kirsten Maglalang.

Come solo or bring a pal! These workshops are open to everyone who wants to collage, create and fill up their journals while having conversations (or not) about whatever is cluttering their minds. No to pressure or perfection. Yes to good company and craft!

All materials provided, but feel free to bring your own receipts, fruit stickers, postcards – whatever pretty junk you’d like to reuse.

When:

5-7pm, Wednesday, 6th of May
5-7pm, Wednesday, 13th of May
5-7pm, Wednesday, 20th of May
5-7pm, Wednesday, 27th of May
5-7pm, Wednesday, 3rd of June
2-4pm, Saturday, 11th of July
2-4pm, Thursday, 16th of July
2-4pm, Saturday, 12th of September

The theme is stress-less September (stress-free is probably a little too optimistic for this time of year), but also scissors-free September; we're focusing on the possibilities of torn paper texture. You can check out some cool examples here and here.

2-4pm, Saturday, 10th of October

For the spooky season we're focusing on junk journal spreads about facing your fears. Heights, spiders, claustrophobia etc is maybe (marginally) less scary when you make them into art.

2-4pm, Saturday, 14th of November

For the last Brain Dump Diary workshop of the year, we're reflecting on 2026 and looking and looking forward to 2027. We'll be celebrating our wins and favourites from the past year, and binding a new journal for 2027. If you missed our previous journal binding-focused workshops, this is a good one to attend.

Where: Fairfield City HQ, 17 Kenyon Street, Fairfield

Remember: These workshops are free, but registrations are essential. Please register by filling out this form here.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the program's Creative Producer Miranda Aguilar: miranda@curiousworks.com.au

Meet your facilitators:

Miranda Aguilar

Miranda Aguilar is a queer Filipinx writer, creative producer and community arts worker. Miranda first joined CuriousWorks back in 2014 as a participant, working on projects including Riz (2014), Las Rosas (2017) and the first Urban Stories (2016). Their first play Let Me Know When You Get Home, was written and produced with CuriousWorks support, from its early development all the way to its premiere showing Riverside Theatre's National Theatre of Parramatta 2020/2021 season. They now run creative programs like Everything is Writing and Testing Grounds aimed at fostering creativity and connection and supporting emerging artists. They are currently developing Courting Ghosts, a feature film project previously supported by AFTRS National Talent Camp (2022) and the Untapped Development Lab (2023) presented by Australians in Film and Screen Australia. You can read more about their artistic practice on their website here.

Kirsten Maglalang

Kirsten Maglalang is an early-career artist based in Western Sydney. Her mixed-media practice reflects her desire to connect with her Filipino heritage with the creation of works that focus on language and cultural material. At the heart of her practice is her passion for exploring the many aspects of love and its transformative powers through collaborative art making.

During her time as a Future Culture Arts Worker Intern, she gained valuable experience in multiple areas of arts and cultural work. This great period of knowledge exchange helped her develop skills that align with her deep commitment to shaping a Future Culture that is both equitable and expansive.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from UNSW Art & Design, where her practice in theory continues to motivate her to create art that amplifies human connection, honours memories and finds ways to keep them alive.

CREDITS

Creative Producer: Miranda Aguilar

Facilitators: Miranda Aguilar & Kirsten Maglalang

Contact

Contact us here

Find us at:
Fairfield City HQ
17 Kenyon St,
Fairfield, NSW, 2165,
Australia

Mail us at:
PO Box 112,
Liverpool, NSW, 1871,
Australia

View our visual story to know exactly how to find us

02 9602 9568

ABN 49 717 992 269

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Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land.

Our office is located on Darug land at Fairfield City HQ. We would like to acknowledge the Cabrogal Clan of the Darug Nation, the traditional custodians of the land. Our work takes us across Darug, Dharawal and Eora lands. Sovereignty was never ceded.