This August bank holiday, Monday, the 5th, is the Tinahely Agricultural Show in County Wicklow. A local tradition since 1935, the Tinahely Show welcomes 20,000 visitors every year.
Events include the Best of Wicklow Exhibition, IFA Food Village, Trade Stands, Quilt Displays, Pets Corner, Baby Show, Kids’ Funfair, Live Country Music, Vintage, Crafts, Live Music, Pony Games, Show Jumping, Livestock, Goats, Machinery Displays, and more.
Feltmakers Ireland guild member Sharon Wells will be in the Sheep and Wool Tent, where she will display and sell her original felted landscapes, coiled baskets, pot stands, art yarn, batts, and roving.
County Wicklow is one of the few counties in Ireland that boasts its own breed, the Wicklow Cheviot. Breeders of a wide range of breeds attend the show each year, competing across a range of classes, including pedigree and commercial.
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Now in its 194th year, the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts (RHA) Annual Exhibition is Ireland’s largest and longest-running open submission exhibition.
Excitingly, one of Feltmakers Ireland’s members, Leiko Uchiyama, has a piece in the exhibition!
Leiko Uchiyama – ‘Memories 64.20’
A video installation by Asha Murray has tufting in it! According to Tufting Shop: “Tufting is a modern technique in textile art that involves using a specialized tool called a tufting gun. This tool helps to weave yarn into a base fabric, creating intricate and textured designs.”
Asha Murray – ‘Are You Domestic Enough?”
Anna Macleod‘s sculpture, ‘Behold the Wind’ won the ESB Moran Award and Silver Medal for an outstanding sculpture. Her piece is made from Poplar wood, Harris tweed thread, and Lead.
Lastly, Abigail O’Brien‘s ‘Mentation I + II’ is a photographic print of two pieces of cross-stitch needlework: The photos show the stitching of the front and back of a colourful brain.
Abigail O’Brien – ‘Mentation I + II’
Overall, not many pieces in this year’s RHA Annual exhibition would be considered ‘textile art’.
However, for next year, members of Feltmakers Ireland and other fibre artists can hopefully increase the number of textile-related pieces by submitting our work under the ‘Mixed Media’ category. (The Open Call for this exhibition stated the following: “Submissions of work are invited from visual artists working in paint, photography, sculpture, architecture, print, drawing and mixed media. Works outside these categories are not accepted.“
Several high-profile, textile-related art exhibitions have recently taken place in the US, UK, and Europe, so there may be more opportunities for fibre-related work in future RHA shows.
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.
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Design Matters Lab seeks product and material-related designers from Indonesia and Europe to collaborate with micro-factories and co-create groundbreaking solutions by utilising alternative materials, creating meaningful products, and enhancing sustainable production systems.
Editor’s note: The prospectus does not directly mention wool, but perhaps there is an opportunity within the ‘Agro waste materials’ option.
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.
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Feltmakers Ireland Guild member Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland has added a new venture to her offerings: Tea Rooms! They have homemade cakes, savouries, and coffees.
If you are near the Cavan/Meath border by Oldcastle, you can visit her tea rooms (which have a vintage model T car) on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 AM to 4:30 PM.
Address: Craft Centre, Knocknaveagh, Virginia, Co Cavan, A82 V0P1
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.
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On Saturday, the 20th of July, 2024, the exhibition “Land to the Hand” celebrated the rich heritage of native Irish Galway Wool at the annual Meitheal in the Athenry Co-operative Livestock Market. It was the fourth yearly Meitheal organised by the Galway Wool Co-op, a voluntary group of people raising the native breed of Galway Sheep. Blátnaid Gallagher is the group’s secretary and excellent ambassador.
Blátnaid Gallagher opening the Meitheal at the Athenry Co-operative Livestock Mart.
The Exhibition
At last year’s Meitheal, artist and curator Michelle Hickey Legge brought together the works of sixteen artists. This year, Michelle had twice as many artists involved: 32 participants contributed pieces that showcased outstanding handwoven textiles, intricate knitwear, creative crochet, impressive feltmaking, and contemporary wool art – all made from Irish-raised Galway Wool. The event highlighted the craftsmanship of some of Ireland’s top makers, educators, and innovators.
The Wool
While the exhibition was going on, the cooperative’s farmers brought their yields of Galway wool into the Meitheal. According to the Tuam Herald, 5,000 kg of wool were delivered, and farmers were guaranteed €2.50 per kg for their wool.
The Clip
Galway Wool Sheep
More Delights
Additionally, the Meitheal had a traditional Irish music session and a sheep shearing demonstration in the background, along with coffee, tea, and biscuits.
Visitors admired the skilful blending of ancient techniques with modern designs, which reflected Ireland’s cultural tapestry. The interactive workshop on wool spinning with Sandra King of Irish Fibre Crafters, drew enthusiastic participation, fostering a deeper appreciation for sustainable practices.
Sandra King of Irish Fibre Crafters – seated by her spinning wheel.
Congratulations to all the artists who exhibited their outstanding works. Special congratulations to Lorna McCormack from Wool in School for being the Overall Winner of the Show for her educational concept; this award was sponsored by Donegal Yarns.
Woolin School product
Claire McGovern from Rhyme Studio was awarded for her contemporary rugs; this award was sponsored by Aviation Graphix. For her contemporary works, Karena Ryan was awarded by the Galway Wool Co-op. Karena is a member of Feltmakers Ireland! Additionally, Jean Long was awarded for her Geansaí Chléire, also sponsored by the Galway Wool Co-op. Lastly, Evin Higgins of Caoirigh Farms was given the Industry Award for Innovation, sponsored by Vincent Hughes from the Aran Woollen Mills.
Caoirigh Farm’s entry
Thanks
Thank you to all of the farmers, artists, and supporters. Lastly, the warmest thanks go to Michelle Hickey Legge for her tireless efforts in curating and organising the exhibition.
Michell Hickey Legge – and camera men
Michelle Hickey Legge’s piece for the exhibition
Feltmakers Ireland Members
Several members from Feltmakers Ireland were in attendance and/or had pieces at the exhibition: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Juliane Gorman, Karena Ryan, Margaret Collins Ryan, and Tamzen Lundy.
Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann – @bombyxmoriwearableart
Juliane Gorman – @felthappiness
Karena Ryan – @karenaryantextiles
Margaret Ryan Collins
Tamzen Lundy’s piece – @tamzenlundydesigns
More Artwork from the Meitheal
This is only a sampling of the work at the show, which ranged from the functional to the artistic. We are sorry that we may have omitted some of the artists’ contributions to the Meitheal.
Collaboration between dyer Malu Colorin and weaver Aideen Macken – @malu_colorin and @aideen.macken
Fiona McDonagh – @Lamhclinicgalway
Olga Profutkina – @olgakina_dolls
Rhyme Studio rugs – @rhymestudioart
Sarah Kineen’s piece – @lifeinajamjar
Ellen Keohane’s Leaving Certificate course artwork
Catherine O’Connor – @bofinweaves
Annie O’Toole – @knitaran13
Christine McNamara – @christines_craft
Annie Gambril – @killala.woolcraft
Students’ work
Ryan Koenig – @ryankoenigstudio
Niamh O’Connell – winner of last year’s Meitheal and exhibitor and judge at this year’s.
Coming Up
A television program on the Galway Wool Coop will be on Nationwide sometime this autumn!
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.
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Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Note: This photograph is from one of Stephanie Metz’s previous exhibitions.
Artist Stephanie Metz, who creates fascinating biomorphic sculptures (often using the technique of needlefelting), has several pieces in an upcoming group show. The premise of the exhibition, ‘Fully Tactile’, is that it is art to be touched!
Curated by Ian Buchanan, Ben Warner, and Jerry Kuns, this special five-day event invites visitors to actively engage with the exhibits: Feel the dance of the wood grain of a Douglas fir sculpture, run their fingers through the fibres of textiles, let their hands ‘see’ the intricacies of ceramic works, hug their way through a forest of felt, and immerse themselves in the sounds and the emotions of poetry.
In addition to Stephanie Metz’s works, Sadé Cole, Susan Roemer, Justin Kiene, Spike Milliken, and Diane Komater have pieces in the exhibition.
The show runs from the 24th through the 28th of July.
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.
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‘Notes From Sheepland’ is a new documentary film that follows the life of artist and shepherd Orla Barry.
From the Light House Cinema website: “Orla Barry is a self-confessed ovine addict. She is a decade in sheep, she’s still wondering what possessed her to start, but yet she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Orla lived in Brussels for 16 years and now lives and works in South East Ireland, where she runs a flock of pedigree Lleyn sheep. Her work deals with the tensions of being an artist and an eco-farmer in rural Ireland. The Sheep have slowed her art career, but at the same, caring for them has hugely inspired it. She escapes the studio by going to the sheep, and escapes the sheep by hiding in her studio. NOTES FROM SHEEPLAND follows Orla, an outlier, as she floats between these worlds.”
‘Notes from Sheepland’ will open in the following cinemas:
• Irish Film Institute (IFI) in Dublin (Friday 26 July 6:30 PM) There will be a Q&A with director Cara Holmes and Orla Barry, hosted by Selina Guinness, after the 6:30 PM screening. –https://ifi.ie/film/notes-from-sheepland-2024/
• Arc in Wexford one night only (Wednesday 31 July, 8:15 PM). Screening & Q&A with Orla Barry and director Cara Holmes, hosted by Wexford Arts Officer, Liz Burns. – https://wexford.arccinema.ie/event/90024
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.
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The course is geared towards makers, craftspeople, innovators, designers, creatives and stakeholders within and beyond the cultural and creative industries.
The main aim of the course is to help participants understand and become aware of the importance of transforming our current linear economic model (take–make–use—lose) into a more nature-inspired, closed-loop model. It also aims to enable participants to gain the soft skills and new perspectives required to participate in that transformation.
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.
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The Minding Creative Minds mentorship programme is now accepting applications.
Their programme is for those seeking career support in the creative community across Ireland. Mentees/applicants have access to their events and networking opportunities, among other opportunities.
The deadline is the 31st of July. An additional application round will be held from the 4th to the 31st of October.
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.
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Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate the craft of feltmaking at the annual Tullamore Show. A dedicated team of members will share the wonders of wet and needle felting with visitors.
From farming enthusiasts to fashion followers, competitive contestants to crafters, and motor, music, shoe, and shopping fans, the Tullamore Show offers a great day out for the whole family.
When: the 11th of August, 2024, from noon to 5 PM.
Where: In the Craft Tent at the Butterfield Estate, Blueball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland.
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.
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