Between the Sheets: Artists’ Books Exhibition 2015

On the Shelf (detail) by Thurle Wright

Between the Sheets: Artists’ Books Exhibition 2015 is an exhibition of the work of 53 leading and emerging International and Australian artists. Gallery East present artists’ books from Australia, Europe, UK, Zimbabwe, USA and Asia. Printmakers, photographers, wordsmiths, textile artists, painters, sculptors and digital artists employ both traditional and contemporary art practices to create personal and universal takes on this most fascinating of art forms.


Opening 6pm Friday 6th March, 2015. RSVP to gallery@central.wa.edu.au

Exhibition details
9 March – 2 April

Gallery Central

12 Aberdeen St, Perth WA 

Earth Cloth workshop

Create an earth cloth to represent a conversation between you and the elements of the bushland. The birds, the plants, trees and earth. Connect to the energy of nature and interpret it in cloth using three different techniques.

With a combination of natural dyeing, printing and stitch you will be able to record your feelings, impressions, sounds and smells of the natural bushland.

To be held over 2 days you will learn to develop these techniques into a cloth that will be suitable for a wall hanging or cape or something of your choice.

Date: Two Day Course: Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 April 2014

Time: 10am - 4pm daily

Venue: Henderson Environmental Centre, Star Swamp Reserve, Groat Street, North Beach

Cost: $60 per person

Presenter: Pauline White

Book here: http://earthcloth.eventbrite.com.au Places are limited and bookings are essential.

WAFTA workshops

The WA Fibre & Textile Association (WAFTA) has a few workshops coming up ranging from learning the basics of crochet and knitting to the more unusual working with gut and mud dyeing.

Images (L-R): qiuyuehanjiang01.blog.163.com; knitfrillsfood.com; craftsbee.com

WORKSHOP: Introduction to Knitting & Crochet – 1 day

Where: Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde Road, Menora
Date/Time: 16/03/2014 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Price: Members $75, Non-members $125
With Anne Williams and Susan Walsh

Spend a day in the company of two fantastic tutors learning the basics of knitting and crochet either from scratch or as a refresher.

Many of us have dabbled in knitting and crochet, but how many of us really understand how to read a pattern without getting lost, how to shape and create all those amazing stitches, how to fix problems, and how we might use these skills in our creative or artistic projects... or just to yarn bomb that tree in your front yard!

Use this as a standalone course to up-skill, or to prepare for WAFTA’s Prudence Mapstone’s freeform knitting workshop coming in the autumn. Choose between spending the day knitting or crocheting, or do both with half a day on each.

12 places available. To book a place visit www.wafta.com.au/events/workshop-introduction-knitting-crochet/

Images: Judy Dominic

WORKSHOP: Gutsy Stuff with Judy Dominic

Where: Alexander Park Craft House Clyde Road, Menora

Date/Time: 23/04/2014, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Price: Members $150 (Early Bird $125 until March 10th); Non-members $175

When not being used to hold sausage together, gut is a very elastic material that sticks to just about anything and dries firm and semi-transparent when stretched. It can hold structures together, be used like a string, create walls or form a flexible shape. A great material to use, play outside the box – or rather, outside the tube – in this off-the-wall workshop.

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience from beginners to practising artists in a small dedicated class.

To book a place visit www.wafta.com.au/events/workshop-gutsy-stuff-judy-dominic/

Images: Judy Dominic

WORKSHOP: Mud Cloth with Judy Dominic – 2 days

Where: Alexander Park Craft House Clyde Road, Menora
Date/Time: 26/04/2014 - 27/04/2014 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Price: Members $300 (Early Bird $250 until March 10th); Non-members $350

The seemingly simple white design on black background cloth represents the serious artistic manner of telling the stories of village life in Mali, Africa. Learn about the traditional method of bogolan fini - dying cotton cloth with mud – as well as how that process is modified two different ways in the Dominic version.

During the workshop you will create your own story designs using local muds on cotton and other natural fibre cloth. Connect with the earth and gain an appreciation of the Mali culture.

This workshop is suitable for all levels from beginners to experienced dyers wanting to try something different in a small dedicated class.

To book a place visit www.wafta.com.au/events/workshop-mud-cloth-judy-dominic/

REGINALD – The CAE Portrait Prize for Softies

It's the craft world's version of the Archibalds - the Reginalds!

You are invited to make a Softie Portrait of someone you admire/appreciate and send a photo of it together with a photo of the person that the portrait represents.

A Softie Portrait (soft toy) is a handmade soft sculpture/toy made from fabric or yarn, incorporating hand and/or machine stitching, knitting or crochet, which emulates a specific person or pet. Your Softie Portrait MUST be your own original work.

Judges Pip Lincoln (left) and CatRabbit (right) with their Reginalds

The judges are Cat Rabbit, nationally and internationally revered soft sculpture/textile artist, and Pip Lincolne, Melbourne crafter, author and Meet me at Mikes blogger. They will select 10 finalists who will then send in their actual softie portraits for a fabulous exhibition, to be held in the CAE (Centre for Adult Education) info shop in central Melbourne.

The Reginald winner, selected by Cat Rabbit and Pip Lincolne, will receive:

• A Brother NS55 Sewing Machine, valued at $699
• A commissioned soft sculpture by Cat Rabbit
• Inclusion on Pip Lincolne’s ‘Meet me at Mikes’ blog
• Inclusion on frankie magazine’s blog
• Subscription to frankie magazine

In addition, there will be a People’s Prize awarded, as voted by the general public. Chosen from the ten finalists, People’s Prize voting will be online and in person.

Photographic entries must be received by 7 March 2014. DON’T SEND ACTUAL SOFTIE PORTRAITS!

To enter the Reginald competition follow the instructions and fill out the entry form which you will find here.

Look up @reginald_cae, #Reginald and #makingareggie on Instagram to see other people’s entries.

Mind Your Arts Workshops

Mind Your Arts is a series of workshops and programs aimed at engaging and encouraging artists and the general community to develop their skills and get involved in arts activities. The program changes throughout the year, with the focus on hands-on workshops and networking opportunities. All are welcome, however places are limited and registration is essential.

Hollow Form Felting with Pauline Franklyn 
Using wet felting, Pauline Franklyn will guide participants in making a beautiful bowl or vessel using the resist method. 

Pauline is a dedicated teacher and is passionate about sharing her felting knowledge and techniques. She has been running workshops since 2005. 
Venue: Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde Road, Menora  Date: Sunday 3 February 2013  Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm  Cost: $25.00 

Places are strictly limited and registration is essential. To book your place visit www.hollowformfelting.eventbrite.com.au. 
Breakdown Dye Printing with Lyn Nixon

Dye print a unique, one of a kind silk scarf using thickened dyes. Lyn Nixon will take participants through the process of creating a design on a screen and using thickened dyes to print it onto silk. The deconstruction process creates exciting and dynamic patterns. 
Lyn Nixon is a designer/maker who combines her love of textiles and wood.
Venue: Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde Road, Menora
Date: Sunday 20 January 2013
Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm
Cost: $25.00
Places are strictly limited and registration is essential. To book your place visit www.breakdowndyeprinting.eventbrite.com.au. 

Urban Couture 2013 Expression of Interest

Urban Couture is a month long program of events that provide a platform for Western Australian fashion creatives and beyond. Urban Couture is about transforming unconventional spaces into popular fashion happenings. Now in its third year, Urban Couture is a key feature of the Joondalup Festival. 

The City is looking for fashion designers, textile artists, fashion photographers, runway models, hair and makeup stylists and backstage stylists to join forces in the 2013 event. The scope encompasses a month long program of satellite events with a finale over the Joondalup Festival weekend, 23 – 24 March 2013 Participants are invited to get involved in the following:

• Aperture & Lace combined wearable art and fashion photography exhibition 
• Pop up Runways transforming unconventional spaces into guerrilla catwalks
• Restyle Marketplace chic open air shopping precinct featuring boutique designers

If you are interested in being part of the event, please download the Urban Couture 2013 Expression of Interest Pack and follow the links to the online expression of interest forms.

Expressions of interest including support materials must be received by 30 November 2012 and places are limited. For further information please contact the City on 9400 4926 or via email.

2011 Art U Wear

Hi All,

Go check out this comp for emerging textile/wearable art/fashion peeps...

"Textile artists, designers and anyone with a love of creative textiles are invited to enter
a competition to create a wearable art costume"

read more by downloading the PDF HERE.

Good Luck! xx