Our gallery features a series of dynamic public programs for children and adults. Watch this space for an exciting program coming soon.
Gallery public programs
Free textile workshops presented by the Naarm Textile Collective during the Thread — Tangles/detangles exhibition.
Thread painting on voile
with Di Ellis
Sunday 16 March, 2pm–4pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
A casual workshop of thread painting led by Di Ellis who will introduce you to her style of stitching. You will be drawing, then stitching emblems, birds, flowers, animals. Di will provide sheer voile to use as a base and embroidery thread.
Bring your own sewing kit, scissors, needles and threads.
We encourage you to share ideas and materials on the day.
Bookings essential.
Spinning Paper into Thread (Japanese tradition of Shifu)
with Elizabeth van Herwaarden
Wednesday 19 March, 2pm–4pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Shifu is a traditional Japanese method of spinning paper into thread. Mulberry paper is traditionally used however I mainly use recycled dressmaking pattern paper to spin my thread. We will begin the workshop by learning how to prepare the paper by folding, cutting, and then rolling it before spinning it on a drop spindle. We can experiment with different papers. I have even spun a brown paper bag into a thread.
The paper thread can then be woven on small, simple weaving frames we can make together. If time permits, we can also experiment with knitting and crocheting the thread and dyeing it with natural dyes.
If you have a drop spindle, please bring it along. Some will be provided
Bookings essential.
Upcycling Weaving workshop
with Erica Wells
Sunday 23 March, 2pm–4pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Learn the basics of weaving using upcycled textile threads. Small take home looms provided.
Please bring along any fabric, wool scraps, plastic bags or natural grass you would like to weave into a freeform weave artwork. Ideal for anyone interested in creating weave, with no waste.
Bookings essential.
Craftivism Workshop
with Nicole Kemp
Wednesday 26 March, 2pm–4pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Nicole Kemp will support, guide and empower your creative practice. Get started and create a small textile panel expressing your thoughts and experiences reflecting on the political and social events of our time. This is a safe space to speak out and express yourself freely.
Bring your own, sewing kit, scissors, needles, threads, and scrap fabric, doilies, fabric table napkins, tea towels, reuse and recycle.
Maybe you are already working on a piece, just bring it along too. We encourage you to share ideas and materials on the day.
Bookings essential.
Embroidery sampler workshop
with Nicole Gammie
Sunday 30 March, 2pm–4pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Come and learn some basic embroidery stitches to create an individual stitched frame that can be added to a door or bookcase.
Bookings essential.
Freeform knitting and crochet workshop
with Marg and Lynn
Wednesday 2 April, 2pm–4pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Come along and learn the basics of freeform, combining knitting, crochet and surface embellishment. Learn basic techniques of creating without a pattern or with many patterns and combining techniques to create a cohesive whole. Freeform can be used for many things. Beautiful bags, garments, blankets and sculptural art to name a few.
Bring along your own tools — knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn needle, scissors and yarns although a selection of yarns for the workshop will be available.
Specialty yarns that you have been holding on to are particularly fun to work with.
Bookings essential.
Improvisational Appliqué
with Ashley Mariani
Sunday 6 April, 2pm–4pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
In this free workshop we will explore shapes and motifs that hold significance to us and use them to create unique raw edge applique pieces. No skills required.
If you have an old piece of non-stretch clothing or textiles you are happy to cut up, bring it along. BYO sewing kit if you have it or use ours on the day.
Bookings essential.
Log cabin patchwork workshop
Time to slow it down and enjoy the making with Tamara Russell
Sunday 13 April, 10am–12 pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Suitable for all adults. All materials supplied.
Bookings are $5 and are available online from Tuesday 1 April
Join textile artist Tamara Russell for a workshop exploring the Log Cabin technique. Using precious scraps of cloth, this technique will allow you to slow down in a hectic world and take pleasure in simple stitches and processes. Create a 10 x 10 cm patch which could then be used as a coaster. Participants will learn how a simple running stitch can be used for connecting pieces to a background using the Log Cabin patchwork technique.
The workshop is suitable for both beginners and more experienced stitchers.
Live Sunday Sessions
Ensemble Liber
Sunday 13 April, 2pm and 3pm (two 45-minute sessions)
Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Ensemble Liber is a Melbourne based live music ensemble, composed of award-winning musicians Josh Dema on cello, Haram Kim on viola, and Kye Yim Loh on violin. Bringing exceptional performances from some of the most exciting string ensemble music to audiences since 2022, they will have their third string trio performance at the Council’s Gallery. The program will include a familiar staple of Beethoven, and lesser-known Hungarian melodies from Leó Weiner and Zoltán Kodály.
