Take a fresh look at slow fashion and artful living
With many Sunshine Coast residents experiencing a much slower way of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, now is a great time to take a fresh look at how we live and Sunshine Coast Council’s fabric – Slow Fashion, Artful Living program could be the perfect place to start.
Celebrating the rich talents of Sunshine Coast artisans and designers, fabric brings art and sustainability together in a curated program of design and artful lifestyle activities.
Community Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said the Sunshine Coast was attracting and supporting a local textile and fashion industry that had a strong understanding of the value placed on environmentally conscious design, handmade and sustainable production.
“This is the third and final year of our fabricprogram, and the variety of events on offer provides a great opportunity for the community to get involved, be better informed or simply inspired to bring to life our healthy, smart, creative vision,” Cr Baberowski said.
“There are many ways we can all embrace small positive changes that can have a big impact on the way we live and our impact on the environment.”
Over the next few months, you can immerse yourself in a program of workshops including shoe making, mending, cooking, sewing, repurposing and embroidery, plus exhibitions, professional development and more.
Here’s a taste of what’s on offer in September:
Bookings can be made at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/fabric
What: Sustainable Costings For Artisans
When: Thursday 10 September, 9-10.30amand 11am – 12.30pm
Where: Arts and Ecology Centre, Tanawha
Cost: $10
Details: Explore how to achieve a sustainable creative business, looking at what you need to include in your costings, and how to set retail prices. This short introduction is targeted at Artisans and Designers to create a template to help create financial sustainability. This workshop is designed in an open format using pen, paper and calculators, it can be applied to whatever software the participant prefers to use in their work situation.
Maximum of 14 participants per session.
What: Open Studio and Artist Talk with Anne Harris
When: Friday 11 September, half hour booked talk/tour between 10am – 2.30pm
Where: Arts and Ecology Centre, Tanawha
Cost: Free
Details: 2020 The Unseen – During the 250th Anniversary of Captain Cook’s east coast voyage, Anne is using the original source documents and specimens that Sir Joseph Banks and Solander collected and looking for the ‘Herstory’ intuitive responses to these plants. The research then explores aspects of creative practice finding ways to share the stories through natural dyeing, fibre and ink, looking at stories of place and people. Posing the question what will be revealed and what will be healed. This will be an informal talk and share some of the research and work created during the April Creative Spaces residency.
Maximum of six guests per tour.
What: Botanical Colourings 2020 exhibition
When: 19 September – 12 October, 10am – 3pm
Where: Arts and Ecology Centre, Tanawha
Cost: Free
Details: A sumptuous exhibition showcasing the work of the Sunshine Coast Natural Dyers Interest Group artists. Textile and fibre art, fashion, wearable art, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media highlight the rich diversity of nature’s colour palette. Presented in partnership with Creative Spaces. Maximum of six people in the exhibition at one time. Allow 10 minutes to view the exhibition.
What: Botanical Colourings demonstrations
When: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 18 September and 12 October, 11am– noon
Where: Arts and Ecology Centre, Tanawha
Cost: Free
Details: Observe the techniques of natural dyeing and patterning at these free demonstrations presented by the Sunshine Coast Natural Dyers amidst the artwork of the Botanical Colourings Exhibition. Maximum of six participants per session.
What: Dyeing fabric and fibres with botanicals
When: Sunday 27 September, 10-11.30amand noon-1.30pm
Where: Arts and Ecology Centre, Tanawha
Cost: $30
Details: In this exciting three-hour workshop with Jenai Hooke you will be guided through dyeing fabric and fibres with botanicals from your garden, so you can continue your explorations at home. Maximum of eight participants per workshop.
Living Smart: Want to grow and use edible flowers or learn how to make tea? Try these fabulous ideas at home thanks to Living Smart:
- Beautiful blooms: How to grow and use edible flowers – www.livingsmartqld.com.au/articles/beautiful_blooms_how_to_grow_and_use_edible_flowers/
- Tea Blending with Monica Naples – www.livingsmartqld.com.au/articles/tea_masterclass_plastic_free_-_monica_naples/
To view the full program, visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/fabric
Program participants and audiences are advised that all events will adhere to strict COVID-Safe Plans aligned to current Queensland Health advice and regulations.
The fabric program is supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund and the Sunshine Coast Council Living Smart program.
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
