29th August 2026
There was a wonderful sense of creativity and community at The Leitrim Design House in Carrick-on-Shannon as Feltmakers Ireland launched its latest ArtWall exhibition, ‘Essence of Nature’, on Saturday, 29 August.
The exhibition was officially opened by Cllr Sean McGowan, who welcomed the opportunity to celebrate the talent, imagination and craftsmanship of felt artists from across Ireland.
Bringing together the work of 36 members of Feltmakers Ireland, ‘Essence of Nature’ explores the beauty, diversity and quiet power of the natural world through the expressive medium of felt.
The room was buzzing with chatter and enthusiasm as we welcomed members, families and friends to join us in celebrating the ArtWall launch.
The Essence of Nature
Nature has long been a source of inspiration for artists, and this exhibition demonstrates just how many different ways it can be interpreted.
The participating artists have responded to the theme through landscapes, flora, fauna, light, seasonal change and more abstract interpretations of the natural environment. The result is a varied and vibrant collection that showcases the extraordinary versatility of felt as a contemporary art medium.
From richly textured surfaces and intricate details to bold colour and abstract compositions, each piece offers a personal response to the world around us.
Feltmaking is a particularly tactile art form. Wool and fibre are transformed through traditional and contemporary techniques into artworks that invite the viewer to look closely and appreciate both the skill involved and the stories behind each creation.
A Celebration of Irish Felt Artists
Feltmakers Ireland is a vibrant community dedicated to promoting feltmaking and supporting artists working with this versatile textile medium. Members work across wet felting, needle felting and mixed-media approaches, combining traditional skills with contemporary artistic ideas.
The ArtWall exhibition provides a valuable opportunity for artists to share their work with a wider audience and demonstrate that felt is not simply a craft material, but a rich and exciting medium for fine art and creative expression.
The exhibition also highlights the continuing interest in handmade, sustainable and locally connected creative practices, celebrating the heritage of wool and fibre while looking towards the future of textile art.
A Special Setting at The Leitrim Design House
The Leitrim Design House, located within The Dock Arts Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon, provides a fitting setting for the exhibition. The Leitrim Design House
The ArtWall allows the individual works to come together as one larger celebration of colour, texture, nature and imagination. It is a chance for visitors to discover the diversity of contemporary feltmaking while also supporting the artists whose work is represented.
With all the artworks created by Feltmakers Ireland members, the exhibition reflects the breadth of talent within the organisation and the strong sense of community that exists among its makers.
Visit the Exhibition
‘Essence of Nature’ is on display at The Leitrim Design House in Carrick-on-Shannon from late August through early October 2026, forming part of the wider August Craft Month programme.
Visitors are invited to take their time exploring the ArtWall, discovering the individual interpretations of nature and appreciating the skill, creativity and dedication behind each piece.
The exhibition is a celebration not only of nature, but of the artists who continue to find inspiration in it — and of the enduring possibilities of felt as an art form.
‘Essence of Nature’ offers a beautiful reminder that something as simple as wool and fibre can be transformed into art that is deeply personal, richly textured and full of life.
WE HAVE A SNEAK PEEK BELOW BUT TO VIEW THE WHOLE EXHIBITION ONLINE PLEASE GO TO ESSENCE OF NATURE EXHIBITION – Feltmakers Ireland
