TAFTA’s 2013 Geelong FORUM

September 29 – October 5, 2013

Please Note: two spaces have come up with Hilary Peterson in her Dye-Print-Stitch workshop. Click on the link below.

TAFTA (The Australian Forum for Textile Arts Ltd) is proud to be bringing you the13th Geelong FORUM to be held at Geelong Grammar School, Corio Victoria, September 29 – October 5, 2013. For those of you new to this FORUM, Geelong Grammar School on Corio Bay is a 30-45 minute drive from Melbourne.

This iconic annual event has been re-branded as a TEXTILE RETREAT. There are 3 major changes for ‘Geelong’ in 2013:

The new TEXTILE RETREAT will look to a total of TEN (10) WORKSHOPS – five with international tutors and five with Australian tutors. Class size is limited to 12-13 participants per workshop. (There will be $50 surcharge for the workshops with overseas tutors).
It will be RESIDENTIAL ONLY. Those who enrol must be willing to ‘live in’ for the week. Generous time payment plans are available.
An OPEN STUDIO option is being created for those who want to be mentored in their own creative processes rather than taught techniques in a workshop.

THE PROGRAM for Workshop Participants

These people would still sign up for one tutor/workshop only, for the five weekdays when workshops operate.
Classrooms to be open from 8am-9pm daily although teaching is 9:30am-4pm (with an hour off for lunch). On Wednesday teaching hours are for the morning only; classrooms remain open; tutors have the afternoon off.
Presentations by Tutors: each tutor will give a half-hour presentation to the whole of the FORUM on a body of their own work, discussing (and showing) both thinking and making processes. It is anticipated that two tutors will speak in the late afternoon each day, 4:30-5:30pm.
Evenings will mainly be used as an opportunity for people to work late in their classrooms if they wish. Two evenings after dinner may be used for the ‘Open Studio’ Mentors and/or invited guests to give a talk. Also there will be the option of attending screenings of special visual material such as the American CRAFT series created by PBS. Details to come.

The Pricing Structure for the WORKSHOP component:
Single Room: all meals, morning & afternoon tea and Supper; Workshop with Australian tutor: $1020.00
(Cost with Overseas Tutor: $1070.00)
Shared Room: all meals, morning & afternoon tea and Supper; Workshop with Australian tutor: $925
(Cost with Overseas Tutor: $975)

THE PROGRAM for Open Studio Participants

Those choosing this option will use the week to pursue their own practice in a large shared studio space and have in-depth access to a Mentor both individually and as a group to further develop their own work. They will be able to hear all Tutor Talks; and may propose other ways to overlap with the traditional workshop program. We envisage perhaps two groups of 8-10 people, each with a Mentor, as part of the new Open Studio Component, depending on interest.

Who will be the Mentor(s) for those choosing the OPEN STUDIO option? Feedback was received from the first six people to choose this option (with great excitement). Accordingly, VICKI MASON was asked to be the 2013 Mentor and has accepted. While her practice is jewellery based, Vicki has a great eye for design and a ready comprehension of materials of all types. As well she has taught for RMIT and has obtained a Masters Degree, so is very familiar with how many kinds of people approach making.

Those opting for Open Studio need to be looking for a new kind of experience, and be willing to trust the process and, to a degree, to help define it.  The emphasis is NOT on the specific practice of the Mentor but on that person’s ability to bring a fresh and informed point of view. Vicki Mason will be pleased to share her working (and thinking) processes and those in the Open Studio workshop will spend some time as a group discussing the progress of their projects and sharing their own processes, as asked.

Regarding her approach to creating, Vicki Mason says: “My creative arts practice encompasses an approach to thinking and making that is underpinned by research. I seeks to ask what others think of similar ideas/concepts that I am interested in, what positions for example do other studio practitioners take in relation to similar topics. Projects are looked at in relation to previous practice and theory in the field so a body of knowledge can be built which ultimately informs the making and thinking behind the works that will eventually evolve in the studio.  Objectives and aims are put in place so that during the process of thinking and making, spaces emerge that enable potential answers to questions or hypothesis posed to be resolved.”

 Click here to find out more about Vicki Mason as an Open Studio Mentor

Is there a different cost structure for the Open Studio option? To hire someone to give up a week of their time to Mentor those in the Open Studio is virtually the same cost to TAFTA as hiring a tutor – travel, food, accommodation and a fee must all be paid. As well, ample classroom space must be hired that allows for a variety of practices to be explored simultaneously. The Mentor is available to assist students for a few hours each day with any issues or questions – or to critique their work. This is a social, creative environment that provides all the benefits of attending TAFTA’s Textile Retreat without a formalized agenda.

The Pricing Structure for the OPEN STUDIO component:
Single Room: all meals, morning & afternoon tea and supper; access to workshop space and mentor: $910
Shared Room: all meals, morning & afternoon tea and supper; access to workshop space and mentor: $815

Will only people working at an Advanced or Master level be welcome now at ‘Geelong’? EVERYONE IS WELCOME!- Beginners to Advanced… If you feel yourself to be something of a Beginner but know you have a strong commitment, and you feel attracted to the teaching / making style of a particular tutor (or wish to try the Open Studio model), this could be for you. Your own passion for textiles and/or interest in learning and growing should be what guide you. The FORUM is traditionally a welcoming event, the Textile Retreat will be no different.

Will traditional aspects of the FORUM continue ?- the Heathen Bazaar? – the Garage Sale? – the Traders? – the Installations and Exhibitions? – the Fun? Many auspiced FORUMs (and Forum-like events) have run over the years, all around the country – some much smaller than ‘Geelong’ but with all the value-adding that TAFTA’s FORUMs are known for – plus some innovations of their own. This is what is also intended for the Textile Retreat.

For more information and enrollment: Geelong 2013 ENROLMENT FORM

TUTORS and WORKSHOPS of the 2013 Geelong TEXTILE RETREAT

Please scroll down to view the available tutors and workshops for the 2013 Geelong TEXTILE RETREAT.

Or click on the name of the tutor you would like to view

Anna Davern (VIC)

Sue Dennis (QLD)

Philomena Hali (NT)

Pat Hickman (USA)

Susan Lazear (USA)

Hilary Peterson (NSW)

Els van Baarle (The Netherlands)

Some courses are full and others are filling fast. Hurry to make your choice.

MARK-MAKING: HAND-STITCHING AS PERSONAL EXPRESSION with ILZE AVIKS is full.

TEXTILES DRAWING AND IDEAS with RUTH HADLOW is full.

JEWELLERY FROM SUBLIMATION PRINTED METAL AND PLASTIC

ANNA DAVERN (VIC)

is one of Australia’s most respected contemporary jewellers. Her practice straddles the visual arts, jewellery and fashion. She gained her undergraduate degree in Jewellery and Object Design at Sydney College of the arts and her post graduate studies and subsequent Masters degree were completed at RMIT. Anna works from the Northcity4 studios in Brunswick Melbourne. She exhibits regularly and has held 2 major solo exhibitions at Craft Victoria, Melbourne. She has been represented in numerous Australian and international group exhibitions and is an experienced tutor.
Sublimation printing is a very simple technique of transferring dye to plastic using heat. In this class, electronic files of images and photos will be printed and then transferred to a variety of flat media, including acrylic and plastic coated sheet metal. A variety of techniques will then be taught to create items of jewellery from the printed material focussing on cold joining techniques and the incorporation of found objects. Students will be given very basic instruction in the use of photoshop so will need to know how to operate a computer (but not at an advanced level). This class is suitable for experienced makers as well as non-makers. Materials fee of $75 per person, payable to the tutor in class; most materials supplied by tutor.

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TEXTILE SOUVENIRS

SUE DENNIS (QLD)

began quilting in 1990 and since that time she has exhibited in Australia and internationally in solo, invitational, juried and touring shows. Now an award winning art quilter with a distinct style, Sue is recognised for her original work that incorporates numerous surface design techniques and stitch. She is drawn to colour and the textural possibilities of the quilted surface. Her designs are heavily influenced by the dramatic Australian landscape, having lived and travelled widely throughout the continent. But she is also at home printing and rubbing surfaces in overseas locations, creating unique fabric for future use. Her prize winning work is represented in public and private collections. “What Would You Take?” was the winner of Australian Quilts in Public Places 2001 and acquired by the Immigration Museum, Melbourne.

Through her extensive travels the tutor has discovered the rewarding possibilities of creating her own one-off ‘souvenirs’ and will share design ideas and useful tips as students define the nature of their own exclusive works through visual texture, pattern and layers. You will begin a journey of exploration and discovery of the rich local environment while creating unique fabric ‘souvenirs’ using surface design techniques and the element of stitch. Techniques include dyeing, sun printing, rubbing, mono printing, direct printing, layering, hand stitching and machine quilting. Colour, design and composition will be discussed and experienced. Originality is encouraged and assisted. This class is suitable for all levels. Materials fee of $10 per person, payable to the tutor in class.

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COMBINING TRADITIONS: BOJAGI MEETS SHIBORI

PHILOMENA HALI (NT)

is a practicing Textile & Fibre artist whose work has achieved international recognition. She passes on her skills through numerous workshops , and has been involved as Artist in Residence in schools throughout the Northern Territory and Tasmania. She exhibits nationally and internationally by invitation, most recently in Hong Kong 2011 for the International Shibori Symposium. As well as having work purchased for many private collections, she has been acquired by museums and galleries around Australia. Having a passion for texture, fabric and fibre drives her to create unique one-off items in her own practice, mostly resonating with the colours of her environment in Central Australia. She designs, dyes and manipulates fabric to create sculptural wearable works that often feature shibori, one of her greatest passions. In 2012 she was successful in obtaining a grant to attend the Korean Bojagi Forum and do extra study while in Korea.
This workshop will celebrate Korean Bojagi – fabric piecing, using traditional hand sewing seaming techniques – and Shibori –the Japanese technique of resist patterning and dyeing. You’ll create your patterned, lightweight fabrics in the workshop using shibori dyeing; then incorporate them into work for enhanced colour and design. Various Korean embellishments will also be shown. Some prior Shibori or resist dyeing experience is useful. Samples will be produced, with encouragement to begin a work in progress. A passion for hand sewing will go a long way but for those who may wish to speed things up, after day 3 of the workshop there is the option to use a sewing machine if you wish to bring one. Materials fee of $15 per person, payable to the tutor in class.

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STRUCTURE AND SKIN

PAT HICKMAN (USA)

was, until recently, Professor of Art and Head of the Fiber Program at the University of Hawaii. She now lives and works in the Lower Hudson Valley and is affiliated with the Phoenix Gallery in NYC. Hickman exhibits her work extensively and has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards. She twice received NEA Individual Artist’s Grants. In 2005, she was elected a Fellow of the American Craft Council. She is Past President (2010-2014) of the Textile Society of America. Hickman curated travelling exhibits: Innerskins/Outerskins: Gut and Fishskin and Baskets: Redefining Volume and Meaning. Her work is in several major collections, including the Oakland Museum, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Hawaii State Art Museum, and the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. She is a very experienced tutor, having offered workshops around the USA and internationally.

This workshop will encourage participants to explore visual ideas suggested through openwork textile structure, primarily that of knotted netting and knotless netting. Reserving space for air and the importance of what is “not there” will be built into conceptually based quick studies and studio projects, both 2-D and 3-D. There will be exploration using a variety of materials, including the use of gut (hog casings), Hickman’s signature material, using it as both structure and skin in netting. The workshop is less a “how to”, more an experience in discovery, questioning, and ongoing ways of working. No previous knowledge of these textile structures is required, just a willingness to explore and learn. A small materials fee will apply.

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CLOTHING DESIGN AND THE CLOTH THAT MAKES IT

SUSAN LAZEAR (USA)

is a Professor of Fashion at Mesa College in San Diego where she teaches various fashion courses including textiles, ethnic and historic costume, and pattern design. Susan designs wearable art, unusual fine art & crafts and is a computer graphic artist.  In addition to her teaching she combines her skills in the creation of a line of software for knitters, sewers, and textile artists under the Cochenille Design Studio name. She travels extensively, observing the world of design and knits; and she has taught design workshops around the world. Level of experience: participants should have some sense of clothing patterns and a background in sewing and/or knit construction.
Want a challenge to create in the Project Runway mode? Working with your own handwoven, hand or machine knit fabric and/or with any other fabrics of choice, students will plan, design and draft patterns for simple, yet unique one-of-a-kind garments. They may use software (provided); hand-draft; or base their style on ethnic costume. Considerations of hand, drape, combining textiles/embellishments, and choosing appropriate styles etc. will be discussed. Construction of garments will occur and critique will allow all to learn collaboratively. No materials fee.Below you can see Susan Lazear, and a garment (plus accessories) that she designed and constructed – weaving by Robyn Spady. Susan Lazear did the sublimation printing and felting for the inner top.

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DYE-PRINT-STITCH

HILARY PETERSON (NSW) teaches in many mediums with TAFE NSW and through private workshops. She completed her Master of Arts – Visual and Performing Arts at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, in 2002 and has been teaching adults and children since 1994.  Prior to this she studied Colour and Design in Sydney and was a successful Printed Textile Designer working in Australia and London for many years.  She exhibits regularly and has work in private collections in the UK, Europe, the USA and Australia.  Her work has appeared in Textile Fibre Forum magazine and she has tutored previously for TAFTA FORUMs. in both Geelong and Orange, NSW.

     Using plant dyeing, and simple printing techniques, such as lino/ easy carve blocks and mono printing, with fabric and paper you’ll create small works that may be assembled in a variety of ways.  They may take the form of codex books, scrolls etc or small stand alone, individual artworks.  Working from your own references to develop a personal style, you’ll learn how to exploit the different techniques to best effect in combination with fabric, paper and stitching.  As well as demonstrations, individual assistance will be provided throughout the workshop to cater for beginners as well as more advanced students.  Students will be guided in the process of bringing into being work that encompasses their personal vision.  In addition to finished pieces students will be encouraged to create a sampler book of dyed and printed fabrics and papers as a permanent record of methods and processes. This will become a valuable resource for future reference. No materials fee.

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CREATING CONTRAST – Going Wild with Dye and Wax

ELS VAN BAARLE (The Netherlands)

worked for many years as an art-teacher in various schools, and in adult education. During this time she began to develop her own work in textiles, having a fascination for the interaction of wax, cloth and dye. Since 1990 she has been exhibiting her batiks internationally and has won numerous awards. Her work has been published in books such as “Dutch Quilts” by Ria van Els in 2007 and the US publication, “The Art Quilt Collection” in 2010. Her inspiration comes from ancient times, remains of structures ravaged by wind and weather. Subtle colours and textures are obtained by layering wax and dye processes together with paper and threads – in the way an old wall reveals details when observed up close. After more than 40 years of work on her art, she has become an internationally renowned tutor and artist.
The underlying theme of this workshop will be CONTRAST. Participants will design one-of-a-kind fabric as they explore the many possibilities of working with wax on both fabric and paper. Traditional tools will be used (the tjanting and the tjap or copper stamp) to make a contemporary piece of cloth. By repeating the steps of wax/dye/wax/dye, the fabric gains depth. Towards the end of the week collage-style exercises will be undertaken with fabric and paper to create working samples. Some prior knowledge of colour-mixing is essential although prior work with wax is not. All levels of experience welcome although students do need to be willing to experiment. Estimated materials fee of $35 per person.

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Click here to download the Geelong 2013 ENROLMENT FORM