Author: Feltmakers Ireland

Of Interest: Finale of FeltMatters Podcast with Vivienne Morpeth

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Image gallery image
A woman wearing a handmade, multicoloured felt top with varying shades of blue and grey, styled with a black long-sleeve shirt underneath. She has light hair and glasses, looking thoughtfully away from the camera.
Vivienne Morpeth wearing one of her Nunofelted tops

Season 4 of the International Feltmakers Association‘s podcast Felt Matters is drawing to a close. In it, hosts Vivienne Morpeth and Heather Potten discuss some highlights from Vivienne’s life as a feltmaker. They chat about her initial encounter with felting, the role of family and mentors, and the support and inspiration from the International Feltmakers Association. She stresses, too, the importance of teaching through experimentation. This has been particularly crucial in the development of her upcoming book, ‘Nuno Feltmaking | design, techniques and projects for the creative maker’, which she discusses here with her daughter, Raphaela.

Season 4 Episode 3 Vivienne Morpeth | A Legacy in Felt

To listen to the podcast, visit their YouTube – https://youtu.be/8HvfaRUypU0?si=9TI-8qerxNUeRdkv

Vivienne’s website – https://viviennemorpeth.uk/

Vivienne’s Instagram – @vivienne_morpeth_

IFA’s Instagram – @internationalfeltmakers

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 the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Recap - Sunday Session

Sunday Session Recap: Mind Mapping ‘Water and Flow’ – Deirdre Crofts

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On Sunday, the 11th of January, guild member Deirdre Crofts led us in Mind Mapping on the subject of ‘Water and Flow’, the theme of our upcoming annual exhibition in April. (For information on submitting your piece, visit HERE – https://feltmakersireland.com/exhibition-application-2026-water-and-flow/ )

During the talk, Dee mentioned photographer Tina Claffey’s work on close-ups of bog environments – https://www.tinaclaffey.com/

Video Recording of her talk

During this session, we had over 25 members at the CIE Sports Hall, with an additional 16 guild members joining us via Zoom. The video below is from the Zoom recording. Apologies for the blurry camera work.

Always finding areas of improvement in technology and all aspects of life!

Close Ups of the Mind Mapping

Samples of imagery Dee found on Pinterest

You can search Pinterest here – https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=WATER&rs=typed

Some of the Artwork Dee shared

Dee sharing her piece from the ‘Endangered’ exhibition in 2020
Dee shares her automata sculpture of seagulls
Dee showing Ramona Farrelly’s piece
Dee sharing a piece by Fiona Leech

In a few days, we will share the recording of committee member Karen Bowden presenting on photographing artwork with a phone.

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: Element15 – ‘ROOTS:An Exhibition of Textile Art and Poetry’ – Co Waterford

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Textile group Element15‘s ‘ROOTS: An Exhibition of Textile Art and Poetry’ is now showing at Green Acres Gallery, Co Wexford.

The show features the group’s artwork and the poetry of Jane Clarke.

Element15 is a collective based in Co Kildare. Individual artists develop their own practice in tandem with each other, distinct but connected. Element15’s exhibition, ‘ROOTS‘, is inspired by the work of Co Wicklow-based poet Jane Clarke. 

Elaine Peden and Marie Dunne, members of the Feltmakers Ireland guild, are part of the Element15 and have pieces in the exhibition.

When: The show runs until the 31st of January.

Where: Green Acres Gallery, 2 Lower George’s St, Selskar St, Townparks, Wexford, Y35 RW7C

For more information, visit the gallery’s website – https://greenacresgallery.ie/

Their Instagram: @element15textile @jane_clarke_poet @greenacresirl @elainepeden

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.

Open Call: Applications for the Homo Faber Fellowship 2026/27

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The Homo Faber Fellowship is an eight-month, sponsored international craft training programme that pairs master artisans with emerging talents. Participants gain business and marketing expertise alongside design and hands-on practical skills through the intergenerational transmission of knowledge and craftsmanship.

Applicants are required to submit an application as a Duo (one master artisan and one apprentice/fellow)  – https://www.homofaber.com/en/nextgen/fellowship/

If you are interested in applying, but do not yet have a counterpart, you may register your interest here – https://dccoi.my.site.com/memberportal/s/event/a13W700000W3MJJIA3/homo-faber-fellowship-202627

There is an information webinar on Tuesday, the 13th of January 2026, at 4PM. Visit the DCCI’s website to register for it – https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/homo-faber-fellowship-2/

Application deadline: the 1st of February 2025.

For more information, visit the Homo Faber website – https://www.homofaber.com/en/nextgen/fellowship/

Their Instagram @homofaber

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.

Sunday Session

Sunday Session: Preparing for the ‘Water and Flow’ Exhibition – This Sunday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This Sunday, the 11th of January, we will host our first Feltmakers Ireland Sunday Session of 2026.

This month’s session is designed to inspire members as they begin creating felted artwork for our upcoming Annual Exhibition. The 2026 exhibition theme is “Water & Flow”, and the month-long show will take place in April at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre.

More information about the exhibition, including how to apply, can be found HERE on our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exhibition-application-2026-water-and-flow/

The session will be divided into two parts:

Mind Mapping for Creative Inspiration

Guild member Deirdre Crofts will guide participants through a mind-mapping exercise to help generate ideas and develop concepts related to the exhibition theme.

Photographing Felted Art with Your Phone

Member and photographer Ramona Farrelly will share practical tips for photographing felted artwork effectively with a mobile phone.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 11th of January, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked good to share and a travel mug (so we can reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell. We do have the benefit of technology – there will be access via Zoom, although it is not quite as lovely as being with us in person.

We look forward to welcoming members for a creative and inspiring start to the year.

If you want to join or renew your membership, please do so via our Membership Page – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email a Zoom link to all members who wish to attend virtually. Please check your email on Friday afternoon.

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.

Education: CO-CREATE PhD Information Session – 12th of January

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There is a free online information session about eight funded (paid) doctoral opportunities in the fields of art and design, this Monday, the 12th of January, at 4PM.

The National College of Art and Design, Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, the University of Limerick and Atlantic Technological University invite applications for funded PhD studentships as part of Co-Create Ireland: Art and Design Research Network for Inclusive Futures (CO-CREATE), a €4m cross-border research project supported by the Higher Education Authority’s North South Research Programme.

Each institution has its own program and application criteria.

Ulster University in Belfast has a PhD program in Regenerative Textiles – https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/32-art-and-design-history,-practice-and-theory/1791141

For more information about the various programs, see this link – https://www.ncad.ie/news/view/co-create-launches-all-island-doctoral-network

To book a free spot at the information session, visit this website – https://www.create-ireland.ie/activity/co-create-phd-information-session/

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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisations hosting the event.

Exhibitions: 2 Sheila Hicks shows – Paris & San Francisco

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There are two exhibitions of Sheila Hicks‘ work right now.

In Paris

The Quai Branly Museum brings together the work of American-born/Paris-based artist Sheila Hicks and the scholarship of Monique Lévi-Strauss through their 60-year friendship and shared passion for textiles.

The exhibition juxtaposes 20 historical textile pieces from the museum’s collection with 30 contemporary works by Sheila Hicks. Drawing inspiration from ancient Andean weaving, Hicks reinterprets fundamental textile gestures: knotting, weaving, braiding, coiling, and tying, revealing their enduring expressive power. There is also a large installation by Hicks at the entrance to the collections.

Where: The Quai Branly Museum, 37 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris, France

The show runs until the 8th of March, 2026.

For more information, visit the Museum’s website – https://www.quaibranly.fr/en/exhibitions-and-events/at-the-museum/exhibitions/event-details/e/le-fil-voyageur

In San Francisco

Concurrently, but slightly farther away, there is also a solo exhibition of Hicks’ work at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).

The SFMOMA presentation features the artist’s comet-like works, marked by vivid, intersecting, and layered lines, alongside an intimate selection of small-scale pieces that reveal her ongoing daily explorations of new materials and structural possibilities. At the centre stands a monumental phare (Lighthouse): a soaring installation of suspended, twisting cords that serves as the exhibition’s visual and conceptual anchor. Reimagined installations of Hicks’s signature wrapped bâtons, along with large, brightly coloured fibre mounds, demonstrate her continual reinvention of materials and forms—a forward-looking practice she describes as “walking the tightrope into the future.”

The exhibition extends beyond the gallery with a large-scale outdoor commission in the museum’s fifth-floor sculpture garden.

This show runs until Autumn 2026.

Where: SFMOMA, 151 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.

For more information, visit the museum’s website – https://www.sfmoma.org/exhibition/new-work-sheila-hicks/

Interview with Hicks

Note: There is a VERY inspiring interview with Sheila Hicks on the Louisiana Channel, an organisation which focuses on creating interviews with artists – https://channel.louisiana.dk/video/sheila-hickswere-crying-for-softness

Instagram links

Quai Branly Museum @quaibranly

SFMOMA @sfmoma

The artist’s Instagram @ateliersheilahicks

Open Call: Cnoc Buí Art Centre Accepting Exhibition Proposals for 2027

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The Cnoc Buí Community Arts Centre invites exhibition proposals for their 2027 programme.

They welcome solo and group submissions from artists at all stages of their careers, working in any medium. This open call offers artists the opportunity to engage new audiences and be part of Cnoc Buí’s growing and vibrant exhibitions programme.

The Cnock Buí Community Arts Centre is located in Union Hall, West Cork, P81 X274

The deadline is noon, the 17th of February 2026.

For more information, visit their website: https://www.cnocbuiarts.ie/open-calls

Their Instagram: @cnocbuiarts

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.

Sunday Session

Sunday Session: Preparing for the ‘Water and Flow’ Exhibition with Mind Mapping & Photographing Artwork with your Phone

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On Sunday, the 11th of January, we will host our first Feltmakers Ireland Sunday Session of 2026.

This month’s session is designed to inspire members as they begin creating felted artwork for our upcoming Annual Exhibition. The 2026 exhibition theme is “Water & Flow”, and the month-long show will take place in April at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre.

More information about the exhibition, including how to apply, can be found HERE on our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exhibition-application-2026-water-and-flow/

The session will be divided into two parts:

Mind Mapping for Creative Inspiration

Guild member Deirdre Crofts will guide participants through a mind-mapping exercise to help generate ideas and develop concepts related to the exhibition theme.

Photographing Felted Art with Your Phone

Member and photographer Ramona Farrelly will share practical tips for photographing felted artwork effectively with a mobile phone.

The Details:

When: Sunday, the 11th of January, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

Where: CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additional Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked good to share and a travel mug (so we can reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell. We do have the benefit of technology – there will be access via Zoom, although it is not quite as lovely as being with us in person.

We look forward to welcoming members for a creative and inspiring start to the year.

If you want to join or renew your membership, please do so via our Membership Page – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/

Zoom Access to the Sunday Session:

We will email a Zoom link to all members who wish to attend virtually. Please check your email on Friday afternoon.

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.

Open Call: RHA Annual Exhibition 2026 – Accepting Submissions

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland


The Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts (RHA) Annual Exhibition is accepting submissions for its 196th exhibition. It is Ireland’s largest and longest-running open submission exhibition, and will be open to the public from Monday, the 25th of May, to Sunday, the 9th of August, with free admission at all times.

Open to all artists working in painting, drawing, print, sculpture, photography and architecture, the RHA Annual attracts a large public and critical audience.

Editor’s Note: There is a recap of 2024’s exhibition as several pieces included textile materials or techniques, including a piece by guild member Leiko Uchiyama – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/07/30/exhibition-final-week-of-the-rha-annual-show/

Entry deadline: Monday, the 23rd of February, 2026.

For more information, visit the RHA website – https://rhagallery.ie/rha-annual/

Their Instagram: @rha.arts

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.