House Portraits with Anne Kelly

Saturday 8th March 2025 - new date 2025

10:00-4:00

Adult workshop

(but GCSE and A-Level students are very welcome to join in. It will be a great skills workshop for those taking art)

WORKSHOP:

In this one day course with author, artist and tutor Anne Kelly you will be working to create an evocative and nostalgic fabric picture of your choice of a house or place (building) that holds a special memory for you. As a tutor, Anne has noticed that following the pandemic there is a desire for connection with environment and home.

Anne says: I love to honour and repurpose old textiles, using hand and machine embroidery, vintage thread and string to add texture and character. My work has been described as 'small worlds' trapping and preserving pieces of embroidery and objects within it. I use a ‘netting- like’ machine embroidery stitch over the whole surface of the work. I further embellish with hand stitching and couching using a variety of media.’

So on this workshop you will start by using basic but effective techniques taken from Anne’s books. Anne will show you how to create a mixed media collage using items from your fabric collections and charity shop finds. Your piece will be embellished and richly decorated to create a special souvenir or gift. It can also be added to a larger piece at a later date if desired.

Materials and fabrics will be provided but you may find a deeper connection to your work if you bring some of your own pieces. It’s also helpful if students choose colours that suit their house/building, and bring the printed image to work from.

Artist / Maker / Tutor:

Anne is an award-winning textile artist, author and tutor based in the UK, exhibiting and teaching internationally. She received a Fine Art degree in Canada and was awarded two consecutive Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grants to travel to the UK, continuing her studies at Goldsmiths College in London.

Her five books for Batsford represent her project and collaborative work. Anne’s heavily embroidered fabric collages are reminiscent of tapestry work and her signature stitching technique is applied to a variety of surfaces. She uses mixed media and print to further embellish her work. Anne ‘s work is represented in private and public collections in the UK and abroad.

Her major solo exhibition at Ruthin Craft Centre in 2021 ‘Well Travelled’, was described by ‘Embroidery’ magazine as ‘a delight to behold’. This exhibition toured to the Harley Foundation Gallery in Welbeck. She has had solo and two person exhibitions in France, the Czech Republic, Australia and Canada. She is listed in the Crafts Council Directory, and a member of the Embroiders’ Guild UK, the European Textile Network and the Society for Embroidered Work.

What is included in the ticket price?

All equipment and materials that you need for the workshop are included. Some people like to bring extra bits and pieces but the studio is packed with all sorts of inspirational art materials, fabrics and threads that you may access.

Tea, coffee, biscuits and cake! Lots of cake!!

Where will the workshops take place?

In Beth’s inspirational studio at Insole Court, Cardiff. CF5 2LN