Fifth annual fibre and textile event coming up in Whanganui

The fifth annual fibre and textile workshop will be held for five days from April 18-22 at the Ad Astra Hostel at Whanganui Girls’ College, organized by Fibre Arts New Zealand, the event which has six international tutors, each in a different field of fibre arts and more than 80 people from as far as Australia will meet to expand their artistic armoury. Creativity is set to hit Whanganui this month.

Co-organiser Julz Coffey said that the event is huge for the Whanganui arts community and is growing every year. They have a total of 81 people enrolled this year (up from 60 last year).

They have got internationally known tutors who are real full-time paid artists, as well as women coming from Queenstown to Auckland and even Tasmania.

They are bringing people to Whanganui, who are spending their money in Whanganui, so it’s very good for the arts in Whanganui.

There are six overseas tutors from Germany, Australia and the United States. They will be taking intensive workshops on subjects such as collage, contemporary stitch, jewellery, printing patterns, textures and wax.

Mrs Coffey said that the conference was also designed as a great opportunity for amateur artists to socialise and network.

Their overall purpose is networking. They are getting like-minded people together and giving them the opportunity to work with international artists to improve their skills. They are also getting art teachers from across the country who will use the workshops as professional development. It will be a win-win for everyone.

Enrolments cost $750 for a non-accommodated participant. The fee covers classes and food for the week. They can be brought on the Fibre Arts New Zealand website.

The conference will end with an exhibition of the art produced over the course of the week, which is open to the public. All are welcome to the performing arts room at Whanganui Girls’ College from 5.30pm, April 22.