What is a feltmakers convergence?

A Convergence is a gathering of felt makers, and the sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas is the underlying theme. The Southern Hemisphere Feltmakers Convergence has been happening bi-annually since 1990. Each convergence is a little different, reflecting the fact that a feltmaking group in a different location hosts it entirely voluntarily. A convergence is an amazing event and some feltmakers have been attending them over many years ensuring lifelong friendships. The convergence program differs from year to year as it is traditionally largely made up of feltmakers who volunteer their time to share their knowledge, ideas and experience of feltmaking. A convergence attendee can expect many inspiring tutorials, workshops, opportunities to display your work, a fashion parade, installations, community group projects, lectures, professional development, informal demonstrations, a place to felt to your hearts content, traders trading their supplies, many networking opportunities, and much laughter and camaraderie with other feltmakers. It is a whole week immersed in the wonderful stuff of felt. Eat, sleep, and drink felt if you are that keen! It covers every aspect of felt making and is suitable for all levels of experience, wherever you are at with your own feltmaking journey. The 12th Convergence will be held in The Illawarra Region of NSW Australia, 1st-6th September 2013. It will be hosted by The Illawarra Feltmakers inc. Come along, learn, share, felt and have fun.

Applications for enrollment are expected to go out October 2012. If you would like to be on the email list please let us know. 12thfeltconvergencesh@westnet.com.au


Saturday, 7 September 2013

Sunday, 25 August 2013

Collecting the Yurt

A 975km trip to collect the yurt for Convergence.
Read about the Yurt http://www.martienvanzuilen.com/the-yurt-project.html


Past the the big Merino



Into Merino country



Jo with the Yurt doorway


Pricilla loaded

Yurt exchange team




Tuesday, 13 August 2013

Exhibition Open- Feltportation set up

Here is a sneak peek of Feltportation set up.

Exhibition is Open from
Wednesday 14 August – Thursday 12 September 2013
Opening Event: Wednesday 4 September, 3pm
Gallery will be open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm



Friday, 2 August 2013

What is Feltportation?


Feltportation Exhibition
Wednesday 14 August – Thursday 12 September 2013

An exhibition curated by Anita Larkin of 13 contemporary artists, who use felt in conceptual artworks, bringing an ancient craft into a modern context. Feltportation explores how felt can be used as an insulation material, allowing the transference or interference, of objects, materials, sound, warmth, and of spirit.
Felt is a material that has been used in nomadic cultures across the Asiatic steppe for centuries, and has been instrumental in the flow of people across these lands. Feltportation provides a platform for an exchange of ideas about the use of felt as a medium for contemporary artmaking, and how profoundly it can speak about our humanity, and the transference of objects, words, sound, and energy between us all.

FCA Gallery at the Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong
Faculty of Creative Arts, Upstairs in Building 25 University of Wollongong

Gallery will be open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.

  • Julie Brennan
  • Anna Gunnarsdottir
  • Brigitte Haldemann
  • Bettina Jacoby
  • Anita Larkin
  • Mollie Littlejohn
  • Catherine O'Leary
  • Jade Pegler
  • Donna Mckinnis /Giselle Penn
  • Giselle Penn
  • Sarah Louise Ricketts
  • Martien van Zuilen
  • Leiko Uchiyama

 There will be a full colour catalogue printed of the works in this exhibition. If you are interested in purchasing a copy: theillawarrafeltmaker@westnet.com.au