THE ACT (Australian Capital Territory) - Canberra

SELLING YARNS 2: Innovation for Sustainablity to be held from Friday 6 March - Sunday 8 March 2009 at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra, in association with the exhibition, ReCoil, Change & Exchange in Coiled Fibre Art curated by Margie West. The aim of the conference is to demonstrate that through cultural practice a dialogue can be had that draws all interested parties together for the benefit of a rich and sustainable indigenous culture. Contact Valerie Kirk on (02) 6125,5833 of Adam Blackshaw on (02) 6208.5230; workshops@sellingyarns.com The website is www.sellingyarns.com

Art Quilt Australia 09 is an initiative of Ozquilt Network Inc and Craft ACT. Entry forms (entries close 24 July 2009) are now available for the first major art quilt exhibition staged by this group, to be held at the premises of Craft ACT in Canberra from 7 November – 19 December 2009. The exhibition is open to Ozquilt Network members and residents of Australia: www.ozquiltnetwork.org.au or email Barbara Macey at bjmacey@melbpc.org.au or Choy-Lin Williams at choy-lin@mpsconsult.com

At the ACT Heritage Library (Level 1, Woden Library, Woden) until 14 August: ESSENTIAL, prepared in association with Craft ACT - an exhibition display by emerging curator Victoria Clarke, “a collection of objects that unite practicality and beauty in original ways. Artists include Ann McMahon, Elizabeth Kelly, Robert Foster, Tae Schmeisser, Margaret Brown, Eva Schroeder, Oliver Smiht, Jennifer Robertson, Peter Minson and Blanche Tilden. Phone (02) 6207.5163 – ring to ascertain opening hours.

THE CANBERRA SCHOOL OF ART TEXTILES STUDIO is holding an Open Day on Saturday 30^th August from 9am-4pm; all welcome. Demonstrations, exhibitions, raffles and sales. ANU School of Art, Childers Street, Canberra. Phone (02) 6125.5833. Be there!

At CRAFT ACT (Gallery 1) until 24 August 2008: BASELINE: Remnant Grasslands of Weereewa/Lake George, an exhibiton of works by Beth Hatton and Christine James who have created works inspired by the area, identifying with the significance it holds for local indigenous communities and subsequent settler populations. Craft Act is located on Level 1, North Building, 180 London Circuit, Civic ACT: www.craftact.org.au A one-day public forum is planned for Friday 15 August “designed to initiate community exchange by addressing issues of preservation and care of the land, and the role of the arts as an agent for social discourse.” As well, CAROLINE HUF presents weaving in and out of time in Gallery 2: “Through Huf’s frame by frame (photographic) process she simulates decay through the process of weaving discarded packaging and modelling plasticine.” Huf is a cross-media artist and her film is Craft ACT’s contribution to VIVID, National Photography Festival.

Textile Network ACT: this organisation, a community based non-membership group commenced in 1993 and regularly holds talks on the 2nd Thursday of each month, commencing 7:30pm at the Canberra School of Art Theatre (upstairs) – charge of $5 at the door. Details from Marlene Greenwood, newsletter editor for the group on e-mail whimsy@webone.com.au.

The ACT Textile Arts & Surface Design Association encourages textile/fibre arts in all forms in the Canberra region. Their new website for members is: www.acttextiles.org.au A Newsletter is available through Heather Aspinall: stoiver@ozemail.com.au