Vrouw Wolle ~ Viltacademie

Design Ideas for Feltmakers

August 23-24-25, 2025
by Anita Johnson

This workshop is complete.

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How can feltmakers create innovative forms and new designs? This creative workshop begins with playful methods of drawing, doodling and collage on paper. Methods of collage (cutting, re-joining and chance occurrence) can be an interesting way to develop resist designs that will then be used to make felt shapes. Initial inspiration will be drawn from looking at everyday objects. Anita will then lead students through fun ways to develop a three-dimensional shape in felt from two-dimensional drawings. The intricacies of calculating and planning a unique resist shape will be shared with each student according to their own project as it evolves. Layering, slotting, making holes in, or twisting the resist will be explored as ways of creating unusual felt sculptures, vessels or hats if you prefer. Bored of making felt from the same resist shapes? Then this class will give you the skills for a lifetime of new ones.

Please note you do not need to have any drawing experience for this class just a willing spirit. It is a feltmaking class – not a drawing class. The course is aimed at people who already have basic skills in feltmaking, that know how to use a resist and want to discover how to develop your own designs in feltmaking.

Please be patient, more photos will follow soon!

Anita Johnson is an Australian sculptor and feltmaker who graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Sydney College of The Arts, The University of Sydney. Currently studying a Doctor of Creative Arts at The University of Wollongong, her research and art practice focuses on concepts of repair and care utilising felt, textiles and found objects. Johnson has exhibited her sculptures in The NSW Art Gallery, Sydney, The Hungarian National Gallery, The Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award, The Museo del Tessuto, Italy, The Blake Prize, Sydney, The Australian War Memorial Art Collection, Canberra, The 6th International World Textile Art Biennial of Contemporary Art, Mexico, Sculptural Felt International, Netherlands and Australia, The 2nd Tamworth Textile Triennial, Australia, The 5th Beijing International Art Biennale, The Australian Design Centre, and the 10th International Biennial of Contemporary Textile Art, MIFA - Miami International Fine Arts, USA. Exhibiting as Anita Larkin from 2000 to 2021 she is currently represented by Defiance Gallery in Sydney - www.defiancegallery.com Johnson has taught feltmaking since 1994 within Australia and internationally, developing her own methods from a sculptural perspective of the forming and use of felt. She conducts sessional lectures in this field at The National Art School, Sydney. Anita is a generous and patient teacher with 30 years of experience in feltmaking techniques within the realm of sculpture.

www.anitajohnsonartist.com

10am tot 17pm (studio is open from 9.30am)

Price: € 495

Included: homemade lunch, drinks, biscuits and sweets, excl. materials

Location: Studio Vrouwwolle, Kapelstraat 81 (behind the Citroëngarage), B-2910 Essen

the list of materials will be sent 6 weeks before the start

Experience : yes

This workshop is complete.

Put me on the waiting list
Design Ideas for Feltmakers
Creation Anita Johnson