Feltmakers Ireland guild member Helena Mc Guinness is presenting a solo exhibition of her multidisciplinary work at the Ballyfermot Library Gallery in Dublin. The exhibition, titled ‘The Journey,’ reflects her creative path, which began at the age of nine when she sold her first three knitted garments. Over the years, Mc Guinness has explored a variety of artistic media, now coming full circle as she returns to working with wool.
When: The exhibition runs from the 4th to the 28th of February, with the official opening on Saturday, the 8th, from 2 to 4 PM. Feltmakers are warmly invited to attend!
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.
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.
‘The Way We Wore: Representations of Social Change through Clothing Guided Tour’ – Join Museum Guides for a tour focusing on the history of clothing in Ireland and, in particular, how clothing can represent social change for women in Ireland.
This tour explores how clothing could be used to show status in communities and how their clothing could symbolise personal freedom and activism. This tour features such objects as mourning gowns, day dresses, and Celtic Revival clothing.
When: Saturday, the 1st of February, at 1 PM. Free, No booking is required.
It is part of Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women, which returns from Friday, 31st January to Monday, 3rd February 2025, with its most extensive programme to date. Over 80 thematic events will take place across the city, offering an exciting and diverse celebration of women’s contributions to culture, society, and history.
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 Northeast Feltmakers Guild (NEFG) invites felters worldwide to the second annual Feltuary, a global celebration where felters share their creations on Instagram and/or Facebook.
Each day in February has a woolly or felt-related prompt. You can interpret the prompt any way you desire for your post, and you need not post every day.
When sharing your posts, please include the hashtag #Feltuary2025, which you can follow to explore the work of other participants.
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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Textile Talks offers weekly online presentations and panel discussions hosted by the International Quilt Museum, Quilt Alliance, Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), and the Surface Design Association (SDA). The talks take place weekly on Wednesdays at 2 PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific (US and Canada) {which is 7 PM Dublin time} and run for approximately one hour.
On Wednesday, the 29th of January, at 7 PM (Dublin time), there will be a talk with Sarah Nathan, Head of Competition at World of Wearable Art (WOW). She will provide a behind-the-scenes look at this globally celebrated creative phenomenon. Discover the complexities of the competition, where designers from around the world push boundaries with their creations. Learn about the stories and inspirations behind these wearable masterpieces and the talented artists who bring them to life. This session also offers a sneak peek into the magic of the spectacular WOW stage show.
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 member Karena Ryan‘s piece, ‘Redemption in Red,’ has been selected for the ‘Bloodroot’ group exhibition. Over 100 female Irish artists explore themes of human relationships and belonging through their work. The Hamilton Gallery and the Embassy of Ireland, Netherlands, present the exhibition. It opens at the Pulchri Studio, in their Klinkenberg Galleries in The Hague (Netherlands), on the 22nd of January and runs until February 5th. It celebrates women, creativity, and Lá Fhéile Bríde (Bridgid’s Day).
The exhibition is inspired by the poetry of Annemarie Ní Churreáin, who selected four powerful poems from her debut collection ‘Bloodroot’.
Six Ways to Wash Your Hands (Ayliffe, 1978) for the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation Bog Medicine Sisters Market Prayer
‘Redemption in Red’, symbolises a deeply personal act of redemption and remembrance. The hand-embroidered portrait of Karena Ryan’s daughter celebrates her innocence, hope, and the freedom to begin life with love and dignity—something denied to the children in the nearby Tuam Mother and Baby Home. As a mother, she seeks to give comfort and solace to the mothers of the institutions who mourn, honouring their pain and loss.
“The act of hand stitching is meditative and embodies care and compassion, a contrast to the neglect the children and mothers endured. The red thread is a symbol of connection, love, and remembrance. It represents the bond between mother and child and the shared humanity that connects us to those who suffered in the Mother and Baby Homes.” – Karena Ryan, artist.
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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Dr Niki Collier, a visual artist and long lover of creating with wool, was commissioned by The Office of Public Works (OPW) to produce an installation and video about the legend of Oengus and Caer for the Winter Solstice at Newgrange. The work is part of the ongoing explorations of Symbols of Mobility and the performers wore unique nuno felted wings that Dr. Collier developed, informed by the legend of Oengus and Caer.
The Legend of Oengus and Caer
“The great love story of Oengus Óg and Caer is associated with Newgrange, known as The Dream of Oengus.
Oengus begins to dream of a woman he has never met, and his sleeping moments are spent yearning for Caer, who takes the form of a swan. He goes in search of her for a year and, upon finding her, decides to become a swan in order to be with her. The lovers fly off together towards Brú na Bóinne, the home of Oengus Óg ancestral”.
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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European Wool Day is an event dedicated to celebrating wool’s versatile and sustainable benefits, a natural fibre with a rich heritage and an important role in our future. The event has a particular focus on wool’s therapeutic and health-related uses.
Applications are now open for wool producers, health professionals, and sustainability advocates to share their woollen stories contributing to our health and the planet’s health at the 5th European Wool Day.
There are three ways to participate:
-Presenting in person on 6th April from Rome, Italy -Presenting live joining online on 6th April -Contributing with a pre-recorded presentation.
The deadline for applications is the 16th of February, 2025.
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 Creative Industries Programme from Dublin City LEO, in collaboration with Visual Artists Ireland (VAI), offers a series of business development workshops for Dublin-based creative businesses.
The workshops include: -5 expert-led workshops (3 in-person, 2 online) -Business mentoring tailored to creative professionals -A chance to showcase your work during Local Enterprise Week on 6th March -Led by industry expert Emer Ferran, the programme will build confidence and skills in the following areas: Digitalisation, marketing, and finance; Networking and group learning; Preparing for success with funding, residencies, and ethical practices. When: 11th Feb – 18th March, 10 AM – 4 PM. Location: VAI (Temple Bar) & Zoom Participant Criteria: -Based in Dublin 1-13, 17, or 20 -1+ year in practice post-qualification -Participated in a group/solo show in the past year -Able to submit a 2-year directional plan
Fee: €60 (covers mentoring, materials, and catering) Deadline to apply: 9 AM, 27th January, 2025. To apply, submit 200 words on your business objectives and 3 high-resolution images of your work to the following email: services@visualartists.ie
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 the 15th of November, Feltmakers Ireland was awarded the County Winner in the National Heritage Week Awards for the Dublin City Council local authority area. We now have a beautifully framed award to share.
Every year, the Heritage Council celebrates the work of communities and organisations that hosted National Heritage Week events, which kick off on the third weekend of August and run until the end of the following weekend. Feltmakers Ireland hosted two Open Days, where we shared the magic of wet felting with the public. One event was in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, and the other was in Inchicore, County Dublin, at the CIE Sports Hall and Social Club, where we typically hold our monthly Sunday Sessions. In addition to sharing how wool fibres transform into felt, we displayed felted wearables and artwork created by members. A second display area had information on Irish wool, how it can be used for feltmaking, and copies of our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.
Thank you to the Heritage Council for recognising feltmaking as a cultural heritage. Additionally, we want to thank the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) for supporting our guild throughout the years.
We don’t know who kindly nominated our event for the County Dublin Award, but we are ever so appreciative! Go raibh míle maith agaibh, (which is ‘Thank you very much’ in Irish).
The Awards
In addition to County Awards, there are eight other categories:
There is a category that relates to the theme of the year. The theme of 2024 was ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’
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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