Tag: Group Exhibitions

News: Applications Now Closed – Symbols of Ireland

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

WOW!

Dear Members,

Thank you for all of your excellent submissions! We are overjoyed to receive such an outpouring from you. There will be almost 50 pieces in our group show, ‘Symbols of Ireland’.

This Open Call is now shut – the deadline was extended a week to the 21st of February.

Email Confirmations Sent

Each artist should have received an email informing them where to drop off or mail their artwork. If you are NOT dropping it off at the gallery on the MORNING, 10:30 – 11:30 AM of the installation on the 1st of March, you should ensure your piece has been received by Thursday, the 27th of February.

{If you are dropping off your piece on the morning of the installation at the gallery, please let us know beforehand}.

If you have NOT received an Email Confirmation, please email ASAP – feltmakersIE@gmail.com

More Information

Answers to the myriad of details about the exhibition are still available on the Exhibition Submission Page on the website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exhibition-application-symbols-of-ireland-2025/

With warm appreciation,

The Committee of Feltmakers Ireland

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 Accepting Submissions

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts (RHA) Annual Exhibition is accepting submissions for next year’s 195th RHA Annual Exhibition. It is Ireland’s largest and longest-running open submission exhibition, and it will be open to the public from Monday, the 26th of May, to Sunday, the 3rd 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 last year’s exhibition of the few pieces which included textile materials – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/07/30/exhibition-final-week-of-the-rha-annual-show/

Entry deadline: 23rd February, 2025.

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

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: Threads of Empowerment: Conflict Textiles’ International Journey – Ulster Museum – Belfast

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Ulster Museum has an exhibition, ‘Threads of Empowerment: Conflict Textiles’ International Journey’, which explores the different experiences of conflict, oppression, and human rights violations worldwide through the medium of textiles. It is part of the Belfast International Arts Festival.

The show runs until the 27th of April, 2025.

For more information, visit their website – https://www.ulstermuseum.org/whats-on/threads-empowerment-conflict-textiles-international-journey

Featured artwork: Detail of ‘Vida en Nuestra Población / Life in Our Poor Neighborhood’, © Conflict Textiles

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: Final Week of the RHA Annual Show

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

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.

The show ends this Sunday, 4th of August. 

Visit the RHA website for more information on the exhibition – https://rhagallery.viewingrooms.com/viewing-room/2-194th-rha-annual-exhibition/

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: Stephanie Metz in Group Show – Fully Tactile – San Francisco

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
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.

For more information, visit the Jettison Creative website – https://www.jettisoncreative.com/fullytactileartexhibition

Stephanie also offers an online sculptural needlefelting course – https://courses.stephaniemetz.com/

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: Photos from ‘Opposites Attract’

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

On Saturday, the 4th of May, Feltmakers Ireland opened their group art exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract,’ at the Phonix Park Visitors’ Centre. Friends, family, and other supporters kindly came to cheer us on!

A Few Photos from the Gallery

Above photos by Fiona Leech

Tom Watts from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (the DCCI) inaugurated our opening by speaking about the importance of wool as a sustainable material and how craft and design are interwoven. He added that he was impressed with the qualities, techniques, and ideas of the exhibited pieces.

Tom Watts spoke at the opening.

Interestingly, he wore a pair of vintage Nike Air Footscape Woven Trainers that contained felt!

Members Alongside Their Work

Our trusty photographer was busy chatting with other members, so she only managed to snap some of our members alongside their work.

  • Annika Berglund
  • Breda Fay
  • Elizabeth Redding
  • Eva Salamon
  • Caitriona Nolan
  • Juliane Gorman
  • Lory Cotti Cottini
  • Sandra Chase
  • Marie Dunne
  • Tamzen Lundy
  • Loli Cox
  • Neasa Ryan
  • Eithne O’Dea
  • Maria McGarry
  • Ramona Farrelly
  • Valerie Nowak-O’ceallaigh
  • Adrienne Dempsey
  • Helena Mc Guinness

Videos of the Work

A short video of the opening is on the Guild’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels.

A longer video of each artist’s work is here on YouTube.

Members’ Inspiration

There is a series of seven blog posts about each artist’s inspiration.

  1. Includes: Sandra Reynolds, Sandra Coote, Patricia Conroy, Hélène Dooley, Maria Mc Garry, and Audry Murray.
  2. Includes: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Breda Fay, Lory Cotti Cottini, Neasa Ryan, Ramona Farrelly, and Ursula Heiting-Wiese.
  3. Includes: Heather Byrne, Tamzen Lundy, Bernie Hennessy, Adrienne Dempsey, and Joanne Turner.
  4. Includes: Claire Merry, Caitríona Nolan, Margaret Ryan Collins, Caoimhe Tuthill, and Fiona Leech.
  5. Includes: Jane Fox, Elizabeth Redding, Joanne Foley, Sandra Chase, and Loli Cox.
  6. Includes: Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh, Helena Mc Guinness, Eithne O’Dea, Eva Salamon, and Juliane Gorman.
  7. Includes: Irina Lampadova, Karena Ryan, Annika Berglund, Marie Dunne, Elaine Peden, and Marika Miklosi Manning.

The Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre Gallery was open seven days a week, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Each day, a member volunteered her time to share the wonder of feltmaking and chat with the visitors. Over a thousand people visited our show!

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: ‘Opposites Attract’ Update and Countdown with Sneak Peeks

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Update:

Feltmakers Ireland has recently learned that the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre is not open on Mondays or Tuesdays. However, visitors can visit the guild’s exhibition the rest of the week, from Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10 AM until 4 PM.

Our opening ceremony will be at 3 PM on Saturday, the 4th of May. Tom Watts of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) will officially open our exhibition with a brief speech.

Feltmakers Ireland’s annual exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract,’ features 38 pieces from our members. The artworks range from naturalistic landscapes to abstract pieces, from wearables to wall art. Here are seven ‘sneak peeks’ from our members to whet your appetite!

Sneak Peeks:

  • Irina Lampadova
  • Ursula Heiting-Wiese
  • Neasa Ryan
  • Breda Fay
  • Bernie Hennessy
  • Audrey Murray
  • Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann

We will share glimpses of other members’ artworks tomorrow! Only four more days until Saturday!

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: Opposites Attract – Annual Feltmakers Ireland Show

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland is proud to announce that its group exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract,’ will open on May 4th at 3PM.

The show runs from the 4th until the 26th of May, 2024. Please note: the Centre is CLOSED on MONDAYS and TUESDAYS.

The show is in the historic Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre gallery. The Dublin Bus number 99 conveniently stops near the Visitors’ Centre.

There is information (and maps) on the Park’s website – https://www.phoenixpark.ie/directions/

The poster’s image is from a close-up of Maria McGarry’s piece, ‘Winter Solstice, Newgrange.’


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: Made in Wicklow – Craft Trail Launch

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Tapestry: @beckettweaver

The Made In Wicklow: Head, Heart & Hands Craft Trail launches this week on St Brigid’s Day, February 1st, at the Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry.

This event, featuring 41 of Wicklow’s finest artisans, is a tapestry of talent, offering a unique glimpse into the county’s exquisite craftsmanship.

Feltmakers Ireland member Sharon Wells has a piece in the exhibition.

When: The show runs from the 2nd through the 5th of February.

Where: Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

Admission is FREE.

For more information, visit the Wicklow Craft Foundation’s website – https://madeinwicklow.com/

Review: Brigid 1500 Art Trail in Kildare

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Written by Guild Member Breda Fay

Unravelling an Icon

How could a BREDA not be excited by a Brigid ‘s festival, especially if it’s only 15 km over the road?

Former Feltmakers Ireland chair, Breda Fay, in Kildare town.

On Saturday, I attended the launch of Sult Arists‘ “Unravelling an Icon” in Kildare town, an exciting art exhibition that transformed a town square into an open-air art gallery. Twenty local businesses bought into the idea of exhibiting sixty works in a wide variety of mediums/media of national and international artists in their windows as part of Brigid 1500 celebrations.

A free map and catalogue were available, as well as hot chocolate, cake and savouries (donations to Medicins sans Frontieres). I’m attaching a map in case you are interested and they’re not available later.

How to Find the Artworks

Map of the Artist Trail
Venues that have art.

The Opening

Niamh Wycherly of Maynooth University opened the exhibition with an impressive account of Brigid’s life and works. {There is a short video of her opening on the Sult Artists’ Instagram page – https://www.instagram.com/p/C2nDS0xM9Pp/ }

Despite the cold weather, it was great to meet many friends and/or exhibitors and chat about arty stuff: Liadain Butler, who introduced me to felt many moons ago, Tamzen Lundy and Aisling Hassett from Feltmakers Ireland, muinteoirí (teachers) from Newbridge, and the singers from Kill.

Artwork from Feltmakers Ireland’s Guild Members

Piece by Liadain Butler.
Piece by Tamzen Lundy
Piece by Aisling Hassett
‘ ‘The Shepherdess’ by Theresa Carroll

The exhibition is on for a month…. well worth a visit. There are some lovely coffee shops and eateries in the town square. {It runs through Sunday, the 18th of February}.

Additionally, there is an online art gallery of each piece in the show, which includes the artists’ details, titles of each piece, medium, and social media/links - https://sultartists.com/brigid-1500

To see more of the Feltmakers Ireland members’ works, visit the following links:

Thank you ever so much, Breda, for visiting Kildare to see the Art Trail in Kildare town! We appreciate learning more about the exhibition. – the editors. To learn more about Breda, visit her blog – https://bredafay.com/