This is the last week to catch Sculpture in Context at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. The exhibition runs through this Friday, the 10th of October and includes the work of over 90 artists.
Note: The RTE program will only be available for viewing within Ireland and will only be up for 21 days from the original transmission date.
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.
Dublin is buzzing with creativity this week as two milestone exhibitions open, each celebrating decades of artistry and community.
Sculpture in Context – 40th Anniversary Show at the National Botanic Gardens
One of Ireland’s most beloved annual art events, Sculpture in Context, has returned after a hiatus to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin for its 40th year. The exhibition transforms the gardens into an open-air gallery, with sculptures of every scale and style nestled among the trees, glasshouses, and landscaped grounds. Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of work from established and emerging artists, with pieces that playfully interact with their natural surroundings.
Three of Feltmakers Ireland’s members have pieces in the show: Ramona Farrelly, Juliane Gorman, and Fiona Leech.
When: Thursday, the 4th of September to Friday, the 10th of October.
Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers – 50th Anniversary Show at the Lexicon Library
Meanwhile, in Dun Laoghaire, the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers (IGWSD) is marking its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition at the dlr Lexicon Library. Showcasing the craft traditions of weaving, spinning, and dyeing, the exhibition highlights both heritage techniques and contemporary textile art.
Visitors will see a rich variety of textures and colours—handwoven fabrics, intricate patterns, and natural dyes that speak to the Guild’s commitment to preserving and evolving Ireland’s textile heritage.
Two of Feltmakers Ireland members have work in the show: Juliane Gorman and Sharon Wells.
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.
Sculpture in Context will celebrate 40 Years of showcasing sculpture in Ireland this September. The DEADLINE for applying is next Friday!
Exhibition entries are open to artists working in three dimensions in any medium. They encourage the broadest possible definition of sculptural practice, encompassing object-making, installation, performance, video, and emerging hybrid forms, both permanent and ephemeral.
Note: In the past, several feltmakers have submitted and been accepted to exhibit in Sculpture in Context shows. Search ‘Sculpture in Context’ on our Feltmakers Ireland website to read about some of these members’ pieces.
The exhibition attracts numerous visitors and offers significant visibility and potential for selling work.
The large sculptures will be showcased in the garden’s natural setting, creating a dialogue between art and nature. The indoor gallery will showcase a curated selection of works, offering an intimate and thoughtfully arranged viewing experience.
Entrance is by open submission, and selection is made by an independent panel of judges.
DEADLINE: 11:59 PM, on Friday the 25th April, 2025.
How to Submit
Up to three submissions per artist are allowed, with an entry fee of € 16 for each submission.
The online submission process requires support documentation.Please note that if you close the portal mid-entry, your application will not be saved.
Sculpture in Context will celebrate 40 Years of showcasing sculpture in Ireland this September.
Exhibition entries are open to artists working in three dimensions in any medium. They encourage the broadest possible definition of sculptural practice, including object making, installation, performance, video, and emerging hybrid forms, both permanent and ephemeral.
Note: In the past, several feltmakers have submitted and been accepted to exhibit in Sculpture in Context shows. Search ‘Sculpture in Context’ on our Feltmakers Ireland website to read about some of these members’ pieces.
The exhibition attracts many visitors and offers significant visibility and potential to sell work.
The large sculptures will be showcased in the garden’s natural setting, creating a dialogue between art and nature. The indoor gallery will display a selection of works, providing an intimate and curated viewing experience.
Entrance is by open submission, and selection is made by an independent panel of judges.
DEADLINE: 11:59 PM, on Friday the 25th April, 2025.
How to Submit
Up to 3 submissions per artist are allowed, with an entry fee of 16 euros for each submission.
The online submission process requires support documentation.Please note that if you close the portal mid-entry, your application will not be saved.
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 Felting and Fiber Studio is an online community with feltmakers from around the globe, including Canada, the USA, Europe, and beyond.
In addition, they have an excellent and active blog which covers a wide variety of topics, including needle felting, wet felting, and other textile-related adventures. The blog has categories and is keyword-searchable, too!
Features
In order not to miss any posts, subscribe to their blog.
In our Sunday, September Session, Feltmakers Ireland guild member Annika Berglund shared a sample from the Felting and Fiber Studio’s Nuno Felting with Paper Lamination class.
A Forum
Plus, the Felting and Fiber Studio has a Community Forum with quarterly feltmaking challenges. It is also an excellent place to ask questions and research topics related to felting.
Feltmakers Ireland member Hélène Dooley is also a Felting and Fiber Studio member. Recently, she wrote a blog post for them about all the felt-related activities that happened in Ireland! And what a busy month September was!
From Feltmakers Ireland’s September Sunday Session
Feltmakers Ireland founder Elizabeth Bonnar and her granddaughter at our September Sunday Session.
There was Sculpture in Context at the National Botanic Gardens, our September Sunday Session, where we created felted flowers to go on a Floral Tapestry to celebrate our 20th Anniversary, the opening of our juried group exhibition, ‘Bountiful’ at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre, and finally, the official launch of our new book, “Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking”.
‘Floral Path’ – an installation by Claire Merry in the Alpine House at the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.
Feltmakers Ireland member Claire Merry has an installation, ‘Floral Path’, at Sculpture in Context. Find her piece in the Alpine House, which is situated near the entrance.
Sculpture in Context 2023 opened on Thursday, September 7th, and will continue until Friday, October 13th.
The show is the longest-running, most prestigious sculpture exhibition in Ireland. Staged annually in the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, this unique exhibition showcases the inspiring and extraordinary work of both established and emerging artists throughout the magnificent 50 acres of landscaped gardens located in Glasnevin, just three kilometres from Dublin City Centre.
Installations by Fiona Leech (on the left) and Leiko Uchiyama (on the right).
Sculpture in Context is the largest sculpture exhibition in Ireland. Showcasing sculpture for over 35 years, this annual event is organised by Sculpture in Context, an artist-led organisation, in association with the Office of Public Works and the National Botanic Gardens.
Bringing together the work of more than 120 artists using a wide range of media, these works of art represent the rich, diverse character of Irish and International contemporary sculpture. From the smallest, most intricate ceramic works to stone sculptures of monumental scale, visitors to the exhibition will be enriched by the experience of viewing such inspiring works in one location.
The show includes the works of some of Feltmakers Ireland’s members. Amongst these are installations by Fiona Leech and Leiko Uchiyama. (Both links are to their Instagram pages).
Note: Unfortunately, an unethical and malicious person stole two of Fiona’s pieces from her installation the morning that she installed them. If you know of these art pieces’ whereabouts, please contact Fiona.)
Sculpture in Context runs from Thursday, the 7th of September, to Friday, the 13th of October.
Applications are now open for Sculpture in Context. This is an excellent opportunity to get your work seen by a large audience. The deadline for application is soon — the 9th of April.
Some members of Feltmakers Ireland have exhibited in previous years. The images below are from Sculpture in Context 2022.
From the top left: Carmen Garcia, Ramona Farrelly
From bottom left: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Fiona Leech, Annika Berglund, Juliane Gorman
(FI likes to keep you updated on upcoming opportunities. If you know of other upcoming events, please send them to us, and we will share them with the members.)
Applications are now open for Sculpture in Context. This is a great opportunity to get your work seen by a large audience. Deadline for applications is 9th of April.
If you have questions around how to apply, come to one of our Sunday sessions with your questions. Somebody there will have participated before and should be able to help or know where to get more information.
(FI likes to keep you updated on upcoming opportunities. If you know of other upcoming events, please send them to us and we will share with the members.)
Some work by members from last year’s Sculpture in Context (2022):
From left top: Fiona Leech, Carmen Garcia, Annika Berglund
From bottom left: Ramona Farrelly, Juliane Gorman
Sculpture in Context 2023
We are delighted to announce that submissions are now open for the annual Sculpture in Context exhibition at the National Botanic Gardens.
Sculpture in Context is a pivotal event in the Irish arts calendar and the most important sculpture exhibition in the country. The annual exhibition attracts a large public and critical audience and is the highlight of the National Botanic Gardens calendar.
Sculpture in Context is a key event for both public and private buyers of all levels.
Open to all artists working in three dimensions in any medium. Proposals may be durable or time-based artworks, including performance or video.
2 high res images or drawings for each proposed work in JPG format. (If you are photographing work with your mobile please ensure that you have selected a hi-res setting)
Description of each piece to include materials used, dimensions in CM, proposed method of installation and edition nos if applicable. (Max 100 words)
Statement about your piece and/or your artistic practice. (Max 75 words)
2 images of previous work in JPG format
Submission fee of €16 per entry payable online (maximum of 3 entries)
There is a 1€ increase per entry to cover online payment costs
Important Dates- Sculpture in Context 2023
Exhibition Dates – Thursday 6th Sept to Friday 13th Oct
Submission Deadline – Sunday 9th April
Artists Notified – MAY
EXHIBITION INSTALLATION
Outdoor, Glasshouse Installation and Gallery Drop off– Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st from 5-8pm
EXHIBITION OPENING – Wednesday 5th September
EXHIBITION TAKE-DOWN
Gallery collection & Outdoor and Glasshouse work that does NOT need machinery or vehicular access Saturday 14th 10.30am- 4pm
Outdoor and Glasshouse work that requires machinery and or vehicular access
The weather is a bit miserable at the moment, but there should be lovely crisp days ahead as we head into early autumn.
The National Botanic Gardens are magnificent this time of year, and for the month of September you can combine visiting the gardens with a treasure hunt for exciting sculptures all over the place, indoors and outdoors.
About Sculpture in Context
Sculpture in Context was established in 1985 to raise the profile of sculpture in Ireland and provide a platform for artists outside the normal gallery context. It is a not-for-profit organisation run by sculptors. The exhibition has been staged in the National Botanic Gardens since 2002.
Sculpture in Context promotes artists and creates opportunities for practicing artists to exhibit their works in a wider public arena. The organisation has provided much needed opportunities for Irish and non-Irish sculptors in Ireland.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Exhibition: Sculpture in Context
Location: National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
Dates: 1 September – 7 October 2022
Times: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00.
Admission: Free. Group tours of the Gardens and the Exhibitions will be available for booking through Eventbrite
This year even more feltmakers are exhibiting so congrats to all and make sure to go visit!
As there are quite a number of feltmakers included there are two blog posts covering the exhibiting artists. This is the second blog post. Artists are listed in the order we have received information. If you have not been asked for details but are exhibiting in Sculpture in Context, please contact us as there are so many artists involved that we may have missed someone. This second blog covers the work of Carmen Garcia, Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Juliane Gorman and Claire Merry. Claire is a long time member of Feltmakers Ireland so we have included her piece here even if it isn’t made of felt.
What does Home feel like?by Carmen Garcia
This piece was made in response to the stories coming to us from the war in Ukraine. I wanted it to represent the pain, to be visceral, to be felt.
I used the dissonance between the homely, earthy slipper, that resonates with “cosy” and “safe” and the intense red of the exposed arteries and veins which resonates with life, but also with blood and violence.
However, what I am really interested in, is the feeling people experience while looking at it. Either having read the title or not.
What does Home feel like – Carmen Garcia
The Glow Worms Nest by Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann
The materials, shapes, structures and colours of my native surroundings provide inspiration for my creation. Working with different raw wool types ( unwashed and uncarded fleece loosened by hand ) fascinates me.
This piece embodies warmth, softness, protection and comfort. The upright rods radiate decisiveness and togetherness, all the while surrounded by organic matter.
I love to explore working with silk, recycled materials, paper, rich colours and texture combinations . I employ a variety of techniques to create my work and find joy and share it!
Felting for me is diving into a world of unlimited opportunities. The dialogue with the material wool and the interaction of art and craft, and thereby the implementation of a millennium old technique, captivates me.
The Glow Worms Nest by Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann
Perpetual Felt by Juliane Gorman
Usually, I create whimsical wet-felted hats. However, for Sculpture in Context, I wanted to explore installations.
As I wandered through the gardens in winter, the ancient, naked stems of the Wisteria Chain Tent caught my eye. I found it unbelievable that this organic structure was so large that it almost was a building! Did it feel embarrassed not to have leaves? And what about its cascading blossoms? They would only exist for a few weeks.
My twirling purple pods are an attempt to adorn this quirky location.
There are spiralling, felted cords on each pod made from locally-raised Romney wool. My supplier for this material is Natural Wool Ireland. (https://www.naturalwoolireland.ie/) Although the bulk of the fibre used in the pods is Merino and sadly not Irish-raised. Nonetheless, this wool is also sustainable because all sheep are shorn annually.
Perpetual Felt by Juliane Gorman
Fly Me To The Moon by Claire Merry
I refer to myself as an ‘Art Butterfly’, as I have had great fun and satisfaction in playing with different media. It gives me great pleasure to try out something new and working with proven techniques from previous works.
I have worked with textiles, clays and principally for the last fourteen years with handmade felt. This piece is based on a previous much smaller one, so resizing it was a nice challenge. I love steampunk style, so I have teamed up the hot air balloon with the penny-farthing bicycle, to deliver flowers to the moon on slow power
Feltmakers Ireland 