The FE McWilliam Gallery in Banbridge is calling young people aged 14 – 18 to join an artist-led workshop exploring ‘Sculptural Linen’ on Thursday, May 2.
Creative professionals Rachel Fitzpatrick and Heather Richardson will be on hand to help participants delve into the world of 3D textiles.
Those who come along can create their own sculptural linen artwork using a range of constructed textile methods. We will also test out mark making techniques to explore the use of text on linen.
The event is suitable for all skill levels, but would be perfectly suited to students seeking to add interesting new samples to their portfolio for school or college.
This ‘Lab Night’ session is the second in a new series of evening workshops for young people at the FE McWilliam Gallery. It is being offered as part of the Linen Lab project – an initiative encouraging young people to explore linen in new ways and experiment with a range of creative processes.
Rachel and Heather are part of a team of eight artists and designers currently working with 13 local schools as they develop new work for a gallery exhibition in October 2019.
Artist and designer Rachel Fitzpatrick uses a variety of tactile materials to create playful one-off installations and limited edition pieces. Rachel enjoys the challenge of transforming heavy-duty industrial textiles and fabrics into beautiful commissioned works of art or affordable design products.
Rachel has collaborated with a wide variety of major corporate clients across the globe. Her work was recently presented by Global Arts Affairs Foundation in the 16th Venice Architectural Biennale.
Writer Heather Richardson’s work combines words and textiles to explore memory and family history – making connections between writing, garments and visual artefacts.
She is particularly interested in everyday textiles such as clothes, and how they can become a text in which a story is told, through the use of stitch and other embellishments.
Heather’s background is in creative writing. She has published two novels as well as short stories, poetry and creative nonfiction.
She currently works as a lecturer in Creative Writing for the Open University.
Linen Lab is part of a wider programme called Connected – a new creative initiative jointly funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Local Government Challenge Fund and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
‘Connected’ is building collaborative creative partnerships between local audiences, artists and cultural venues in the borough.
Event details: Thursday 2nd May 2019, 7pm-9pm. Location: FE McWilliam Gallery. Please note there is a small £2 registration fee. To book: visitbanbridge.com/events
