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Four felters exhibited their work at Showcase Ireland 2024. This may not seem like a lot, but in 2023, only two designers/artisans exhibited work using the medium of feltmaking. So, there was twice as much this year!
Each of the artists from Showcase 2024 has her own unique way of working with the medium of felted wool. Two create wearable art, while the other two create art for the home.
Here they are, in A-Z order.
Alexa Designs
County Wicklow resident Alexa Zolich of Alexa Design creates luxurious Nunofelted wraps. Originally from Poland, she studied Textiles at the National College of Art and Design. You can view some of her work in person at Marion Cuddy at Powerscourt Centre, Dublin.
My nana taught me to knit and to crochet, but discovering the versatility of felting was a revelation to me as artistic expression. I found it soon became my therapeutic, go to textile medium instantly connecting me to the landscape at my door and allowing me to translate the textures, form and sense of place in my work drawing on past bonds and imbuing memories into each piece.
Guild member Karena Ryan of Karena Ryan Textile Art is based in County Galway. She combines hand-felted wool with stitch and works with Irish linens, tweeds and vintage Foxford blankets. Her felted lamp made from Irish-raised Galway wool was shortlisted for an award in the Home Category of Showcase 2024.
And just for your information, here are the news from Showcase in the DCCI GANS newsletter:
I hope this newsletter finds you well. January was a busy month with Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo® returning to the RDS, Dublin on Sunday 22nd to Tuesday 24th of January. Showcase offered 385 exhibitors an opportunity to exhibit their collections to approx 4000 visitors from 27 countries.
We were delighted to see the much anticipated Showcase Awards taking place on the opening day of the fair. We were excited to see that the winner of the overall best product award was metal artist, Tom King from An Gobha, whose iron cross was created in celebration of St. Brigid.
The St. Brigid’s Cross was created as a work of metal art based around the traditional cross, with depth and with colour, to mark Ireland’s new national holiday celebrating the country’s first female patron St. Brigid.
Other crafts people at Showcase celebrating St. Brigid’s were Patricia O’Flaherty, Naomh Padraig Handcrafts, from Roscommon, you can see her beautiful St. Brigid’s rush work crosses on www.naomhpadraighandcrafts.com. Jennifer Rothwell Designs also had a beautiful collection of fashion items inspired by St. Brigid www.jenniferrothwell.com
As the first Irish public holiday named after a woman, St. Brigid’s Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the role that women have played in Irish history, culture, creativity and society.
The Design & Crafts Council Ireland Academy (DCCIA) was launched as part of the Talk Stage programme at Showcase. DCCIA is an international specialised academy for education and training to the craft sector and will offer a series of apprenticeships. DCCIA welcomes everyone from design and craft beginners to established professionals. The launch was delivered by MaryJo Hoyne, Head of Craft & Education at DCCI and Maria Couchman, Senior Craft & Education Manager at DCCI. www.dcci.ie/academy
Showcase 2023 saw a continuation of the popular Talks Stage that hosted a variety of industry talks and expert panel discussions, you can view some of the events that took place over the three days of Showcase here.
The Dancehall (Fashion & Design) – was a new and exciting fusion of Showcase fashion and design with music and dance. To view the performance of The Dancehall event from the opening day of Showcase 2023 click here.
Workshops are being offered by 3 experienced Feltmakers- made possible by funding received from DCCI under the keep well initiative.
Classes will be taught by Caoilfionn Murphy O’Hanlon, Niki Collier &Liadain De Buitlear
Have you tried the Stained Glass technique in felting? Join your tutors for three online classes to try felting, spark your passion for fibres and discover a fun technique for making colourful pictures in felt.
All materials included.
This project was made possible with funding from DCCI under the Keep Well initiative. See details here:
28th Feb 11am -12 noon Making a Felt Picture with Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon
7th Mar 11am – 12 noon Patchwork Felt Niki Collier
14th Mar 11am – 12 noon Making a Stained Glass Finish on a Felt Picture Liadain de Buitlear
After the workshops you will be able to submit your piece for an exhibition called Evie and Us. Deadline for submission 1 st September. Exhibition will launch 1 st October 2021.
Feltmakers Ireland 