What's On - October π±
October in Nelson, Atawhai, Tasman and Ruby Bay brings a gentle abundance for textile artists. KΕwhai, harakeke, clematis, and camelias bloom among tea tree and putaputaweta, while mossy bark, spring soil and driftwood offer rich textures that echo the language of felt, stitch and dye.
Colleen Plank's Contemporary Feltmaking Workshop a Resounding Success!
Colleen's recent Contemporary Feltmaking Workshop in Atawhai, Nelson was a beautifully immersive weekend of texture, colour and creative exploration.
Participants hand-formed striking wall pieces using natural fibres and wet felting techniques, guided by Colleen's expert eye for design and surface embellishment. The small group setting fostered deep inspiration and personal storytelling through felt.
If you'd like to be notified when Colleen's next workshop dates are released, please email us at info@nztextileexperiences.co.nz - we'd love to keep you in the loop!
General News
October in Aotearoa is blooming with fibre art energy - here's what's stirring across the country:
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Festival of Fibres 2025 - Threads for Change
While the main exhibition opens in April, October is the perfect time to begin preparing entries. The Creative Fibre National Exhibition features awards for handspun garments, weaving, art yarn, and sustainable design. This year's theme,Β Threads for Change, invites artists to reflect on transformation through fibres. -
Fibre Arts New Zealand - Workshop Announcements
Registrations are open for early 2026 workshops, includingΒ Print to Stitch, with Deborah Campbell andΒ Ink & MarkmakingΒ with Toni Mosley. October is a great time to join the Fibre Arts NZ mailing list to stay ahead of bookings. -
CTANZ Symposium & Vintage Textile Fair
The Costume and Textile Association of NZ is gearing up for it's annual symposium and Auckland's beloved Vintage Textile Fair. October sees early registration and sneak peeks of exhibitions and talks focussed on wool, heritage garments, and contemporary textile practice.
Heidi Lucas from Arts Council Nelson is leading the Nelson City Crochet Canopy Project - a vibrant community art initiative to create a stunning crochet canopy for a laneway in the Nelson CBD, and she's inviting contributions from all kinds, whether it's a group piece, an unfinished project, or a blanket ready for a new life Learn more or get involved via theΒ Arts Council Nelson website.
New Workshop in Mahana with Sally Reynolds: Contemporary Wall Hangings
We're thrilled to announce a brand-new Textile Collage Workshop with Sally Reynolds, set in the tranquil hills of Mahana, Tasman on 29 to 30 November 2025.
This two-day experience invites makers of all levels to explore the art of contemporary wall hanging through intuitive layering, stitch, and story-telling with recycled fabrics.
Sally's studio offers a peaceful, light-filled space where creativity flows and textures speak. Sally has a range of textile collage-related workshops, check them out here.
