blueBanksia art directory lists art short courses and events

Searching local op shops for doilies, lace table-clothes and silk scarves has become the new past time for Gippsland textile artist Mandy Rowe. Her felting work has taken on a completely new dimension. Using traditional felting techniques Mandy incorporates these op shop treasures into exquisite wraps that are textured, colourful and abounding in memories. She calls this new range of wraps her heirloom shawls. Workshops for 2010 will explore these techniques further.

Mandy will be holding a 5 day workshop at the Grafton Artsfest from 7th of April and a Women’s Week-end Retreat at Wilson’s Promontory from the 16th-18th July. Women will be invited to bring along a family doily or any other natural fiber based item such as a baby’s bootie, silk hanky or lace tablecloth. These items will be made into either an heirloom shawl or a memory bag (felted hand-bag).

Mandy has also been invited back to San Francisco to participate in one of America’s largest women’s craft fair in late November 2010. She had the opportunity to conduct a felting workshop at The Women’s Building in San Francisco’s Mission District earlier this year and is continually amazed at the benefits and joy that comes with the simple act of creation.

Her first solo exhibition runs from the 18th March - 1st May 2010 at the Maffra Exhibition Space. “It’s A Wrap” is a collection of large acrylic canvasses plus felted wraps and bags paying homage to women from diverse cultural backgrounds around the globe.