Save the Date: Members of Feltmakers Ireland will exhibit artwork at the Leitrim Design House‘s ArtWall.
Essence of Nature brings together the work of talented felt artists from across Ireland. The exhibition explores the quiet power, beauty, and diversity of the natural world through the rich and expressive medium of felt. Inspired by landscapes, flora, fauna, light, and seasonal change, the artworks showcase both traditional and contemporary felting techniques, highlighting the creativity and innovation of Ireland’s feltmaking community.
Visitors are warmly invited to attend the launch and exhibition to experience this inspiring collection of contemporary felt art in the heart of County Leitrim. The show is part of August Craft Month.
When: The exhibition runs from Wednesday, the 26th of August to Saturday, the 3rd of October 2026.
The exhibition will officially launch on Saturday, the 29th of August, at 12 noon.
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 submission deadline for our group exhibition onthe ArtWall at The Leitrim Design House, in Co Leitrim, has been extended to Friday, the 17th of July, at midnight.
Theme: Essence of Nature
We invite members to create a piece which reflects a unique interpretation of nature’s quiet power, from delicate studies of flora and fauna, to bold, abstract evocations of landscape and light.
Artists are encouraged to present works that reflect their unique perspective on the Essence of Nature through visual, conceptual or abstract forms. This open call welcomes all artistic styles and interpretations.
UPDATE: The SUBMISSION DEADLINE has been extended to the 17th of July, at midnight.
Artwork to be received at the drop-off point by Tuesday, 11th August 2026
ImportantDetails:
Our exhibition will be displayed on the ArtWall at the beautiful Leitrim Design House gallery in Carrick-on-Shannon from Wednesday, 26th August to Saturday, 3rd October 2026.
**To ensure uniformity on the ArtWall, we have pre-purchased specific-sized frames, together with the required D-rings, for your artwork, which are available to purchase HERE **
Note: Your submission needs to be two-dimensional but may be wet-felted, needle-felted, or both.
The Artwall can accommodate 45 frames in total. If we have more than 45 entries, we will move to a juried selection process.
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.
Essence of Nature Open Call – Leitrim Design House ArtwollExample of part of the Artwall. Guild member Karena Ryan solos show in Janurary 2026.
We are delighted to invite Feltmakers Ireland members to apply for our second exhibition of 2026 and to submit a piece for the ArtWall at The Leitrim Design House, in Co Leitrim.
Theme: Essence of Nature
We invite members to create a piece which reflects a unique interpretation of nature’s quiet power, from delicate studies of flora and fauna, to bold, abstract evocations of landscape and light.
Artists are encouraged to present works that reflect their unique perspective on the Essence of Nature through visual, conceptual or abstract forms. This open call welcomes all artistic styles and interpretations.
Deadlines:
Application submissions by Friday, 10th July 2026.
UPDATE: The SUBMISSION DEADLINE has been extended to the 17th of July, at midnight.
Artwork to be received at the drop-off point by Tuesday, 11th August 2026
ImportantDetails:
Our exhibition will be displayed on the ArtWall at the beautiful Leitrim Design House gallery in Carrick-on-Shannon from Wednesday, 26th August to Saturday, 3rd October 2026.
**To ensure uniformity on the Artwall, we have pre-purchased specific-sized frames, together with the required D-rings, for your artwork, which are available to purchase HERE **
The Artwall can accommodate 45 frames in total. If we have more than 45 entries, we will move to a juried selection process.
We have included a photograph from guild member Karena Ryan‘s earlier solo show at the gallery to illustrate the Artwall and its environs.
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.
Currently, three awards are open to makers in Ireland: the RDS Craft Awards, the Leitrim Design House Awards, and the Design and Craft Council of Ireland’s Future Makers Awards. Two awards are open to those not enrolled in education or recent graduates.
The RDS Craft Awards
Applications will open for the RDS Craft Awards on the 5th of May, 2025. It is a competition open to all craft makers living on the island of Ireland and Irish-born craft makers working overseas. The work of emerging and established makers is judged separately, with specific prizes to support emerging craftspeople. The Awards will be made from a total prize fund of €60,000.
The Emerging Maker category is open to individuals who aren’t necessarily recent graduates, and there is no age limit. Instead, there are these requirements:
Focus on heritage, skills, and sustainable practices.
Practice commenced within the past 10 years, with the determination to grow their craft at home and abroad.
Work must be made and sourced in Ireland.
The deadline for applying is the 23rd of June. There is no fee to enter.
The Leitrim Design House – National Design, Craft & Art Awards
To mark 25 years of supporting creative Irish businesses, The Leitrim Design House has launched the National Design, Craft & Art Awards to celebrate excellence in craftsmanship. The award stems from the organisation’s resilience and sustainability as a business over the past two decades.
As a reflection of this longevity, The Leitrim Design House invites makers, artists, and designers from across the country to respond to the theme ofReused Sustainability.
The overall winner will receive €2,500 and a solo exhibition at The Leitrim Design House in 2026. A Special Commendation Prize of €1,000 will also be awarded to a runner-up.
Deadline for submission of applications: Friday, the 27th of June, 2025.
DCCI invites students and emerging makers* to apply for this opportunity to showcase their talent. Future Makers is a DCCI initiative that recognises the talent, potential, and creativity of designers and makers shaping the future. Why apply? ▪️ Win up to €3,500 to financially support your career ▪️Gain recognition for your talent, potential, and creativity ▪️Each winner will receive a mentoring package valued at €2,000
The deadline is the 20th of June.
* Emerging Makers – Currently in post-graduate studies in a craft or design discipline or graduated from full-time study between 2-6 years ago at the date of entry to Future Makers, and/or have established a craft or design enterprise in the past 6 years.
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.
To mark 25 years of supporting creative Irish businesses, The Leitrim Design House has launched the National Design, Craft & Art Awards to celebrate excellence in craftsmanship. The award stems from the organisation’s resilience and sustainability as a business over the past two decades.
As a reflection of this longevity, The Leitrim Design House invites makers, artists, and designers from across the country to respond to the theme ofReused Sustainability.
The overall winner will receive €2,500 and a solo exhibition at The Leitrim Design House in 2026. A Special Commendation Prize of €1,000 will also be awarded to a runner-up.
Deadline for submission of applications: Friday, the 27th of June, 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.
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 Leitrim Design House Creative Conference: A day of inspiration, industry insights, and creative connection.
This event, chaired by Eddie Shanahan, promises a full day of engaging activities, including motivational presentations, breakout workshops led by industry experts, and thought-provoking discussions with guest panellists:
Karena Ryan – Textile Artist & Member of Feltmakers Ireland 🎉
Richard West – Woodturner & Sculptor
Aileen Stein – Trainer in Mindful Self-Awareness
Plus, the launch of this year’s The Leitrim Design House National Awards.
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.
On Friday, the 4th of April, Eddie Shanahan will facilitate the Leitrim Design House Creative Conference. The day will include a motivational presentation for artists, crafters, and designers, a breakout clinic with guest speakers, a panel discussion, the Leitrim Design House National Awards launch, and a light lunch.
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 Leitrim Design House National Design, Craft & Art Awards 2023 exhibition is up for two weeks only. The show includes the two winners and ten shortlisted applicants. Feltmakers Ireland member Niki Collier is one of the shortlisted applicants.
The Leitrim Design House National Craft & Design Award (€2,500) is presented for the best overall submission. The winner of this award will have a solo exhibition in 2024. A specially commended prize (€1,000) is awarded to the runner-up.
The award’s winner is Tracy Fry, and a specially commended prize went to runner-up Richard West.
These national awards celebrate excellence in craftsmanship and are born out of the organisation’s sustainability as a business during the past two decades.
