May 2024 – Page 2 – Feltmakers Ireland

Exhibition: Opposites Attract Inspiration

Published on May 19, 2024May 29, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland7 Comments

The art exhibition ‘Opposites Attract’ features pieces by 38 Feltmakers Ireland members. Each artist interpreted the theme in her own way. Read on to find out their inspiration.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

Claire Merry

All things in the universe exist as inseparable and contrasting opposites. My piece represents yin-yang as equal opposites that attract and complement each other. Never connecting but always balanced.

Caitríona Nolan

The title of the exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract’, made me think of colours that bounce off each other but also work well together and are eye-catching. Red and green are opposite each other on the colour wheel. The saying that came to mind goes, ‘Red and green should never be seen except upon an Irish Queen’.

Margaret Ryan Collins

‘Spirals of Life’ is influenced by the double spirals found at Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange) and on other ancient Irish monuments. These spirals are seen as a representation of balance between two opposing but inextricably linked factors, eg life and death, light and dark, creation and destruction, day and night, as in our theme, ‘Opposites Attract’. So, my interpretation wants to show the link to the theme in a similar fashion, to that demonstrated by our forefathers and foremothers.

Caoimhe Tuthill

The continuous flow and change of the River Boyne as it passes the Neolithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth.

These spectacular structures have proudly stood in the Boyne Valley landscape for over 5000 years.

Our ancestors utilized the river’s ebb and flow to skilfully transport these megaliths to their sacred sites in County Meath.

The shawl’s design features the megalithic art carved into Newgrange’s entrance stone and the various shades of blue signify the meandering course of the River Boyne as it flows out to sea.

Immersing ourselves in nature reminds us of our ancient and spiritual connection and our deep interdependence to the earth, sky, water, land, rocks, stars, moon, and sun.

Fiona Leech

Sometimes in life we get thrown a curve ball that can cause disruption and chaos. When this happens, I try to weave some calmness into my life by hanging out with nature. I tried to show this by using the intensity of reds, oranges and dark, urban colours in contrast with the lightness of greens and yellows found in nature around us.

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.

The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: More Artists’ Inspiration to ‘Opposites Attract’

Published on May 18, 2024May 29, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland7 Comments

This year, Feltmakers Ireland’s annual art exhibition at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre is curated around the theme of ‘Opposites Attract’. Within the gallery, wall placards explain each piece’s inspiration. For those who cannot make it to the show, here are the inspiration and photographs of some more of our members’ artwork.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

Heather Byrne

Two jellyfish gracefully dance amidst contrasting currents, embodying the timeless adage of ‘Opposites Attract’. Their ethereal forms, pulsating with contrasting vibrant hues, symbolise the harmony found in embracing differences. Through their delicate movements, the felting invites viewers to contemplate the beauty that emerges when opposing forces unite in a mesmerising display of elegance and synchronicity.

Tamzen Lundy

This piece was inspired by Tamzen’s “spiritual” home of Co. Donegal and a recent trip to a windswept cliff top, Horn Head, Dunfanaghy.

People often refer to Donegal as the county where “The land meets the sea”. The vistas are immense, and the sky is vast. However, there are also wonderful tiny landscapes in every rockpool, to be found, examined and explored. This piece is inspired by such a landscape.

By using colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel and fibres from both animal and insect, the artist has interpreted the land and sea and how these opposites attract.”

Bernie Hennessy

Coral’s skeletal structure is transparent; it gets its vibrant colour from an algae inhabitant called zooxanthellae, with which it exists in a symbiotic relationship. In my work ‘Tabulata’, I use merino fleece to express the vulnerability of the algae and porcelain to represent the structure of the coral. In doing so, I hope to convey how two opposing elements of nature, the delicate, colourful algae and the strong, transparent coral, neither of which can live independently, can be attracted to each other to form a symbiotic relationship, which results in such a wonder of nature.

Adrienne Dempsey

My piece illustrates the concept of opposites attract within relationships and the lyrics of a classic love song, “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. with Bill Withers.

The opening lines of the song set the scene for the rest of the lyrics. “I see the crystal raindrops fall, and the beauty of it all is when the sun comes shining through.” These lyrics set up the idea that everything in life has its ups and downs, but the beauty of it all is when the sun shines through.

The meaning behind the song is ultimately about love and the importance of relationships. How differences can create a magnetic attraction between two people.

Joanne Turner

When I thought about the theme ‘Opposites Attract’, I was drawn to the antithetical parallelism of proverbs in the Bible. My piece illustrates the dynamic energy of opposites: earth & sky; blue & yellow; throwing away & gathering together. Could it be that the key to a happy life is as simple as knowing when to jettison our ‘stones’ and when to hold them close?

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. This series on the exhibition will continue over the coming week. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.

The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Open Call: DCU Visual Artists in Residence in collab with Fire Station Artists’ Studios

Published on May 17, 2024May 16, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland

Dublin City College (DCU), in collaboration with Fire Station Artists’ Studios, is offering an artist residency for two professional visual artists. The selected artists will have access to a studio space on DCU’s All Hallows campus in Dromcondra, Dublin for 12 months and additional opportunities to support their career growth and development.

Deadline: 12 PM, Friday 14th of June.

For more information, visit their website – https://www.dcu.ie/dcuartsandculture/open-call-dcu-visual-artists-residence-collaboration-fire-station-artists-studios

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Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Recap: Part 2 of AGM 2024 – Including Members’ Felted Art

Published on May 16, 2024May 15, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland

Part 2

Malú Colorín of Talú Earth and Fibreshed Ireland pulling a member’s name out of a hat that Annika Berglund is holding.

This is the second article of a two-part series about Feltmakers Ireland’s recent AGM. To see part one, visit here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/05/15/recap-agm-2024-malu-colorin-talu-earth-fibreshed-ireland/

Click Member Exhibition to scroll down and see the artwork.

Bursary Draw

In 2023, Feltmakers Ireland had a Bursary Draw open to all paid-up members. The winner uses the award to attend an in-person or an online feltmaking class. Last year, Ramona Farrelly won; you can read about the online Pam de Groot class she attended here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2023/09/06/news-ramona-farrelly-enjoys-pam-de-groots-course/

During the AGM, Doris Reinisch’s name was pulled from the hat. However, a committee member recalled that she had won the Bursary Award in 2021. You can read about the Molly Williams class that Doris took here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2022/02/09/contemporary-dancer-felt-workshop-attended-by-doris-reinisch-winner-of-feltmakers-irelands-bursary-2021-report-by-doris-reinisch/

Doris graciously permitted us to randomly select another individual to receive this additional benefit of guild membership. Adrienne Dempsey is the lucky winner!

Cannot wait to see what class Adrienne takes with her award!

Fibre Swap

All members were asked to bring a 50-gram, opaque bag of fibre/fabric/embellishments, which would then be ‘swapped’ by passing to the person to the right.

Member Sam Fagan received a cool mix of Bershaf batts and woven ribbons.

Member Exhibition

Each member was asked to bring a piece of felted artwork to display as part of the AGM. This informal exhibition filled a table and beyond!

Pardon if the photos are slightly ‘off-colour’; the combination of natural light from the windows and indoor electric lights makes everything look ‘buttery’.

Group sharing – Bowl by Suzanne Phelan, Booties by Irina Lampova, Tall Vessel by Deirdre Carroll.
Bowl in foreground by Suzanne Phelan, Booties by Irina Lampadova, Tall Vessel by Deirdre Carroll…
Eva Salamon @feltedvision
Fiona Leech – @feltathome
Tamzen Lundy @tamzenlundydesigns
Tamzen Lundy @ @tamzenlundydesigns
Elizabeth Redding
Marie Dunne
Lorna Cady
Adrienne Dempsey
Loli Cox
Loli Cox – Full Irish Breakfast
Loli Cox
Helena McGuinness
Patricia Conroy
Unknown artist – if you know, please contact us.

Conclusion

A huge thank you to all the members who contributed to the success of Feltmakers Ireland’s 2024 AGM! Your active involvement and support were instrumental in making it a great event.

Here’s to another year of collaboration and creativity!

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Recap: AGM 2024 with Malú Colorín of Talú Earth and Fibreshed Ireland – Part 1 of 2

Published on May 15, 2024May 15, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland2 Comments

Chairperson Deirdre Carroll speaking about the Guild’s achievements.

As so MUCH happened at our recent AGM, this will be a two-part blog post! Here is the first one.

On Sunday, the 12th of May, Feltmakers Ireland marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 21st year as an organisation. Twenty-seven members attended this AGM in person, with an additional five joining via Zoom link. Our founder, President Elizabeth Bonnar, was also in attendance.

First, Deirdre Carroll, our Chairperson, went over the Guild’s many accomplishments for the past year, which included the following activities and events:

Our AGM celebrating our 20th Anniversary of founding by our president, Elizabeth Bonnar,
Creating a Floral Banner to celebrate our 20th.
Publishing our long-researched book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’,
Sharing our love of feltmaking at public events such as Bloom, the Tullamore Show and Dublin Maker,
Hosting an Open Day as part of August Craft Month/Heritage Week Ireland.
Our month-long exhibition in October 20203 of ‘Bountiful’ at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre gallery, which was opened by Minister Pippa Hackett.
Several hands-on events, including Sharon Well’s needle felting a winter scene, Deirdre Crofts’ felting elf booties, Annika Berglund’s Fine Felt, and Juliane Gorman’s Nunofelted cowl.
In the past year, our Sunday Sessions also included learning about the feltmaking journeys of members Elaine Peden and Claire Merry.

Next, Lorna Cady, our Secretary, went over the Guild’s upcoming events, which include the following:

Our exhibition at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Galery, which runs until the 26th of May,
Demonstrating feltmaking on the 31st of May and the 1st of June at Bloom,
Guild member Maria McGarry sharing her feltmaking journey at our June Sunday Session,
A booth at the Tullamore Show on the 11th of August,
Our Open Day as part of August Craft Month/Heritage Ireland,
Our workshop in October with international tutor Judit Pocs.

Annika Berglund, our Treasurer, presented a comprehensive report on the guild’s finances, reassuring us that all is well in that department. This is a testament to our members’ continued support and our prudent financial management.

Then, Annika detailed the finances related to our book, Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking, which we published last year. We continue receiving orders for the book and will soon cover our publishing expenses.

Chair Deirdre Carroll spoke about the new Code of Conduct and Ethics, which the members voted to approve.

Appreciations

Then, Annika recognised the much-appreciated work of the three committee members who are stepping down:

Membership secretary Fiona Leech for serving us so well AND keeping us in cuppas and cakes,
Marian Fagan for bringing her knowledge and resources,
and lastly, Valerie Nowak o’ceallaigh, who had only recently stepped in, for her enthusiasm.

Three guild members, Suzanne Phelan, Sam Fagan, and Loli Cox, have offered to serve on the committee. We are so very appreciative of these members for putting themselves forward. We will have confirmations at the next committee session in June.

Guest Speaker

One of the highlights of our AGM was our guest speaker, Malú Colorín, co-founder of Fibreshed Ireland and owner of Talu Earth. She shared her journey working with textiles and colour and the projects that she has been involved in.

Malú Colorín with a slide showing her contribution to the Galway Wool Co-op’s Meitheal. Photo by Sam Fagan

Fibershed Ireland

Just as a watershed collects its water locally, the Fibershed Movement takes its inspiration from wearing clothing made with locally grown natural fibres, dyed locally and made with local labour. Founded in 2009 in California by Rebecca Burgess, there are now over 65 regional organisations worldwide. Fibreshed Ireland seeks to create collaborations and links between farmers and designers throughout Ireland. Their website has an interactive map showing the farmers, processors, designers, and makers who are part of Ireland’s fibre network. You can find the map HERE – https://fibreshedireland.ie/projects/fibre-networks-map/

Map showing locations of designers, makers, farmers, and processors throughout all of Ireland.

Malú spoke about Fibreshed Ireland’s achievements and goals; one of the latter is that the organisation wants to have a verification system for farms that use environmentally regenerative methods in the next five years.

Additionally, she shared her warm humour and practical wisdom that making needs to be an iterative process and that “Perfect is the Enemy of Good”.

The above slide struck a chord with several members who have also faced the challenges of creating a business with feltmaking, which, like most textile-making, is not a speedy technique. We tend to feel like we need to work faster or more efficiently, but as she says, “We Need to Change the Model”.

Malú also shared information about her business, Talú Earth, which has a lovely motto – ‘From Seed to Second Skin’. Via Talú Earth, she offers a natural dyeing service, sells naturally dyed wearables, and teaches workshops in person. An upcoming one is ‘Flavours, Stories and Colour’, which is happening soon – on the 23rd of May. Click here for more information – https://www.fonditamestiza.com/dyeworkshop

Additionally, she is organising the ‘Archipelago Festival of Colour’ in Antrim, on the 27th and 28th of July. It will be “An immersive weekend celebration of all things natural colour! This intimate festival is the first of its kind in Ireland and the UK, dedicated entirely to natural dyes, pigments, and inks, honouring the Land that provides them.”

Samples of her Work

Samples from her Dye Notebooks
Cochineal Samples
Naturally Dyed Yarns
Large Naturally Dyed Sample Cards

As you can see from the photographs above, a wide range of colours are available via natural dyeing.

A warm thank you to Malú Colorín for being such an inspiring guest speaker at our AGM 2024. Also, a special thank you to the committee for all of its work in setting up the AGM.

Part two of this two-part recap will be tomorrow.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Open Call: Land to the Hand – Galway Wool Coop’s Meitheal

Published on May 14, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland

The Galway Wool Co-op, with Artist-in-Residence Michelle Hickey Legge, is delighted to announce the coming together of art and earth—‘Land to the Hand’. This unique exhibition of art through the medium of Galway Wool will take place this year at the annual Galway Wool Meitheal, Athenry, Galway.

The Coop invites artists on the island of Ireland working in all disciplines, age groups and abilities to engage with themes and concepts that connect the Galway Sheep Breed to the Irish landscape and the rich historical heritage of the Galway fleece. Artists who took part last year are also welcome to apply.

When: The Meithal is Saturday, the 20th of July, 2024, for one morning only.

For expressions of interest, direct message Michelle Hickey Legge via Instagram – @michellehickeyart before midnight, the 31st of May.

For more information about Galway Wool, visit the Coop’s website – https://galwaywool.ie/

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: Inspiration Behind More Artworks

Published on May 13, 2024May 29, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland7 Comments

Feltmakers Ireland’s art exhibition at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre is curated around the ‘Opposites Attract’ theme this year. In the gallery, you can read about each piece’s inspiration. For those who cannot make it to the show, here are the inspiration and photographs of some more of our members’ artwork.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann

The inspiration for the vessel ‘Roulette’ comes from the overthrow of nature with its diversity.

Light, Movement, Smells and Sounds play a major role in the development and implementation of my ideas!

There is so much to see and explore; you just have to look out for it. Enjoy discovering my vessels!

Breda Fay

I liked the balance of black and white. The magnetism was added after playing a game with my grandson. Does it attract/repel?

Lory Cotti Cottini

Separation/Union, Fragments/Whole form, in between Emotions and Shades, create my artistic works.

Neasa Ryan

For ‘Moondance’, dark alien-like figures/faces sprung to mind, however as the piece evolved, with the addition of curved stems slightly revealing the dark colour underneath, I felt it provided a slightly softer feel to the piece, and it reminded me of gaunt alien type flowers or emaciated alien forms. Either way, with the cloudy white background, the Van Morrison song ‘Moondance’ sprung to mind, and I felt it was an apt name for the piece. In such an inhospitable environment, devoid of life as we know it, what could be more opposite (yet attractive) than flowers on the moon or flowers /alien forms dancing harmoniously on the moonscape for that matter?

Ramona Farrelly

‘Ebb and flow’ is a childhood memory of climbing in and around the rock pools at various beaches I spent my summers with my cousins on the east coast shores of Dublin and Wicklow. The creatures living on these rocks and in these pools fascinated me. Half in water, half out, the water changes their environment and how they look. The limpets clinging tightly to the rocks, as well as the sea urchins, took up lots of my childhood curiosity.

Ursula Heiting-Wiese

The combination of soft silk and (considerably) rough wool that transforms into something completely new with Nuno felting is the perfect interpretation of the theme for me. To emphasise the opposites further, I chose black and white and open and closed parts with a ‘holey’ scarf.

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. This series on the exhibition will continue over the coming weeks. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.

The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

News: Feltmakers Ireland AGM 2024 – This Sunday

Published on May 10, 2024May 13, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland

This Fibre Swap example was created by Jane Fox for a Dublin-based International Feltmakers Association meeting in March.

AGM

All members of the Feltmakers Ireland Guild are invited to our AGM this Sunday, the 12th of May.

VENUE: CIE Sports and Social Club, INCHICORE, Dublin 8, Eircode D08X525
DATE: 12th May 2024
TIME: 10:30 – 12:30

By starting promptly at 10:30 AM, we hope to have the formalities of the meeting completed in good time so we can listen to our Guest Speaker, Malú Colorín, co-founder and co-director of Fibreshed Ireland.

We have decided to continue with our draw for a €250 Bursary to participate in a feltmaking workshop of your choosing. The only caveat is that you write a short report with photos so everyone can enjoy your experience.

We will also have a new activity – a Fibre Swap. If everyone could bring roughly 50g of fibre, embellishments, fabric, etcetera, of any kind in a small opaque bag, we can form a circle and pass your fibre to the right. It will be a little bit of fun with a surprise as well. Member Jane Fox made the lovely example in today’s post for a Fibre Swap, which was part of an International Feltmakers Association (IFA) meeting in Dublin in March.

Yums

Refreshments will follow. If you could bring a little something, home-baked or not, we’d be delighted.

We always appreciate goodies with our cuppa.

Share One Piece

Lastly, you are welcome to bring a piece of your work to display during the AGM. (Please label your piece clearly and securely, and please bring your piece home with you.)

Agenda

Address by Chair, opening of AGM (Deirdre Carroll)
Address by Secretary (Lorna Cady)
Treasurer’s Report (Annika Berglund)
Wool Project Book. (Annika Berglund)
Motions
Vote on adoption of new Code of Conduct and Ethics.
Election of Chairperson and Committee for 2024-25. Election of officers will be held at the June
committee meeting.
Guest Speaker Malú Colorín – co-founder and co-director of Fibreshed Ireland, a
community-supported social enterprise, building networks to craft a regenerative
Irish textile system based on local fibre, local dyes and local labour.
A Bursary Draw for €250 for all paid-up members will take place at the AGM, to be
used to partake in a Felting Course. Afterwards, a short recap article with
photographs would be much appreciated.
Fibre swap of 50 grams in an opaque bag.
Refreshments.

Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed beforehand on Friday or Saturday. This session will not be recorded.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: ‘Opposites Attract’ – the Inspiration

Published on May 9, 2024May 29, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland8 Comments

Feltmakers Ireland chooses a theme for each of our annual exhibitions. Last year’s theme was ‘Bountiful’, and the year before, it was ‘Building Bridges’. This year’s theme is ‘Opposites Attract’.

Having a theme can be both inspiring or constraining, depending upon the individual artist. Sometimes, both emotions are experienced within a member as she works through the feltmaking process!

In today’s blog post, we share six of our members’ pieces and how they interpreted ‘Opposites Attract’.

The Series

The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:

Sandra Reynolds

My piece is inspired by the forces of the moon and its effects on nature. The opposites of light and dark, the power of electricity, and the magnetic forces surrounding us.

Sandra Coote

2024, the year it rained continuously, but on occasion, the sun peeped through to produce the most magnificent of rainbows. ‘Nature’s Duet’ brightly represents this occurrence when the opposites of our weather come together harmoniously to create a spectacular spectrum of colour.

Patricia Conroy

This piece is inspired by a sunset in Doolin in April 2024. It depicts the beauty that dark and bright can create. The hills are black, but as a result the beauty of nature’s contrasts can be experienced.

Nature provides us with opposites that attract and that go together to create the beauty we see every day.

Hélène Dooley

Nature is truly magnificent and packed with contradictions!

While hiking in the foothills of Mount Cook, NZ, the clouds disappeared, and we were treated to the most stunning and, according to locals, a rare view of the mountain. There were so many opposing elements: the light and dark of the mountain range, our presence in a lush and colourful terrain against a stark mountain backdrop, the permanence of this young mountain range compared to the transience of the flora surrounding us, the differing temperatures which were governed by height. Fragility surrounded us, yet there was a certain reassurance that the mountain would prevail in spite of humanity’s destructive decisions.

Maria McGarry

On the 21st of December 2023, as the dawn broke in Newgrange, we witnessed dazzling rainbow clouds, and I could see a dove form through the clouds. Spiritually, it reflected our silent collective prayer for peace in the world. (ethereal opposite to earthly).

Audrey Murray

‘The Tree of Life’ symbolises the connection between heaven and earth, body and mind, and the physical and spiritual. The angel represents a messenger between heaven and earth and the addition of the cherry blossom flowers continues the theme of connecting birth, death and rebirth.

We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. This series will continue over the coming weeks. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre. The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Help: More Committee Members Needed

Published on May 8, 2024May 7, 2024 by Feltmakers Ireland

Dear Members,

We hope this message finds you well and filled with creative inspiration – especially after visiting our fantastic group exhibition – ‘Opposites Attract’ at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre.

As you know, Feltmakers Ireland’s success and vitality rely on the dedication and enthusiasm of its members. Today, we reach out to you with a call for action and invite you to join our esteemed Committee. Three members will be departing from our team. One member is completing her three-year term, while the other two are stepping down due to other commitments. To function well, the guild needs at least eight Committee members.

Why join the Committee, you may ask? Well, Feltmakers Ireland is not just an organisation; it’s a community-driven initiative that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and passion for the art of felting. By becoming a part of our Committee, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the direction of our guild and contribute directly to its growth and success.

What does being a Committee member entail? It’s about lending your skills, time, and expertise to support our various initiatives, from monthly meetings to Sunday Sessions, workshops, exhibitions, and our participation in events like Bloom, August Craft Month, and the Tullamore Show.

Roles within the Committee include chair, treasurer, membership secretary, meeting secretary, programming director, marketing person, and more, each playing a crucial part in the smooth operation of our volunteer organisation.

But fear not if you’re hesitant about taking on a specific role immediately. We believe in fostering growth and learning within our community. That’s why we offer the opportunity to shadow and gradually ease into responsibilities, ensuring that you feel confident and empowered every step of the way.

Your contribution matters. Whether you’ve been with us for years or recently joined our guild, your unique perspective and energy can make a difference. Together, we can continue to create memorable experiences, foster creativity, and promote the art of felting across Ireland and beyond.

If you feel called to be a part of something greater and believe in the power of collaboration and creativity, then we invite you to take the next step. Reach out to us at committeefeltmakersireland@gmail.com to express your interest or ask any questions you may have. We are flexible if you are unable to start this month.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to serve and strengthen our vibrant guild. We look forward to welcoming you to the Committee and embarking on this exciting journey together!

Warm regards,

Your Committee