Visit artist, educator and textile designer Annick Akanni in her studio and join her mother Dottie for an informal gathering in the courtyard to learn the art of fibre and hair braiding.

“Whenever mum braids my hair, we talk about life and share stories together.”

Akanni’s practice involves sharing creative knowledge and skills through community art workshops for children, young people and families. Meeting and connecting with a diverse range of cross-disciplinary creatives invites conversation and the opportunity to learn about different cultures.

Sat 16 Dec | 11 am - 12:30 pm & 1 pm - 2:30 pm
FREE | Suitable for all ages

Join African Australian artist, educator and textile designer Annick Akanni and explore storytelling through connection, texture, pattern, colour and sensory discoveries.

Sat 25 Nov | 1 pm - 2:30 pm
FREE | Suitable for all ages

Join inspiring tutor and MJAC artist in residence, Martien van Zuilen to create gorgeous 3D hand-felted flowers, using fine Merino wool and novelty fibres. The felting skills and finishing techniques you will learn can also be translated to a larger scale, for future projects.

Sat 20 May 2023 | 10am - 4pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs
$90 | $81 members | Materials included

In this hands-on fibre art workshop, combine the splendour of unspun wool fibres with the structural integrity of coiling techniques, to create a vessel. After the coiling is complete, use the ancient art of felting to transform the works into firm, sculptural forms. Other applications for this wonderous combo of techniques will also be shown, to provide inspiration for future projects.

Sat 6 May 2023 | 10am - 4pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs
$90 | $81 members | Materials included

Join renowned textile artist, Jan Rowe for a day of spontaneous, creative exploration as you work with a range of materials and quilting techniques to create your own unique composition and textile artwork.

This technique-based workshop focuses on abstract composition as participants ask, “what if?”, experiment and stretch the limits of their comfort zone.

Sat 26 Nov 2022 | 9.30am - 4.30pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs
$100 I $90 members | Materials List >

Learn the art of Japanese Shibori with textile artist in residence Phil Thomas. In this workshop you will prepare fabric for dyeing, learn a variety of folding and stitching techniques, use hot water dyes and a microwave to create some unique and beautiful fabric designs.

Sat 8 Oct 2022 | 9.30am - 4pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs
$100 | $90 members | Materials included

Ever wanted to dye your very own t-shirt and bag? Learn the basics of Procion dyeing on cotton in this colourful workshop. Helen will guide you through basic fabric printing and colour mixing with thickened dyes. Make your own fabric stamp and combine it with graffiti style marks in coloured dyes for a unique, one-of-a-kind look on a t-shirt and bag.

Fri 30 Sep | 12.30pm - 2.30pm | Suitable for 9 - 14 yrs
$60 I $54 members | Materials included - BYO cotton t-shirt 

Create something intricate and beautiful using the Japanese Patchwork method known as Boro (meaning tatters or patchwork). Textile artist Phil Thomas will show you how to transform repurposed fabrics using hand stitchery and layering.

There will be selection of sumptuous fabrics to work with, kindly donated by Handcrafters House.

Fri 9 Sep 2022 | 9.30am - 4pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs
$90 | $81 members | Materials included - BYO special fabrics

Explore the versatility of screenprinting and repurposed fabrics in this half-day workshop with Extricate artist Isaac Huggins. Make your own unique stencil design to enhance your fabric or clothing or use one of Isaac's pre-made paper stencils as you explore various silkscreen techniques, including paper-stencil printing, layering, how to achieve colour blending/gradients and the benefits of under-painting and post-print embellishments. 

Sat 27 Aug 2022 | 12pm - 3pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs 
$100 | $90 members | BYO found garment or fabric - prewashed, natural, untextured, mid/heavyweight fabrics are most suitable 
Midland Junction Arts Centre, 276 Great Eastern Hwy (Corner of Cale St) Midland WA

Images: By Isabelle Haubrich and courtesy of Isaac Huggins

Learn the art of 3D felting to create your own fantastic cuddly beast with artist Heather Davis. Colourful wool will be transformed into bees, cicadas, ladybugs, beetles and more, as we celebrate backyard biodiversity in this fun school holiday workshop.

Wed 13 Jul 2022 | 10am - 12pm | Suitable for 5 - 12 yrs (Children under 8 yrs must have a parent attend) 
$45 | $40.50 members | Materials included
Midland Junction Arts Centre 276 Great Eastern Hwy (Corner of Cale St) Midland WA

Image: Courtesy of Heather Davis

Join celebrated textiles artist Martien van Zuilen for a full day of felting to create a tall vessel. This hands-on class explores the sculptural qualities of handmade felt; students will learn about designing with wool and fibre blending, and how to add textural effects to create a unique tall form. Previous felting experience is not necessary.

Sat 25 Jun 2022 | 9:30am – 4:30pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs
$120 | $108 members | Materials supplied plus additional take home materials available to purchase from Martien on the day.

Image: Martien van Zuilen, Standing Tall, 2018. Courtesy the artist.

Learn how to craft your own whimsical basket or vessel using gathered materials, vines, fibre, willow, silk, wire and imagination with Liliana Stafford. 

Winner of the 2020, Castaways Scultpure Alcoa Major Award, Liliana describes herself as a story teller through art, finding inspiration and materials on regular walks in the natural wetland near her home. 

Sat 26 Feb | 1pm - 4pm | Suitable for 14+ yrs
$60 | $54 members | Materials included

Image: Liliana Stafford, Untitled, 2021, vines and fibre, 20 x 30cm. Photograph by Amanda Miller

Create your own unique textile design using block printing with Monika Lukowska in this hands-on 3-hour class. You will learn how to design, carve and print your own block on tote bags and calico whilst experimenting with colour, composition, and layering. Suitable for beginners and artists looking to extend their skills.

Monika is a printmaking artist and academic from Poland currently based in Perth, Western Australia. She works as a sessional academic and research assistant at Curtin University, is a Print Council of Australia Representative for Western Australia and a co-founder of Print Lab Australia.

Thu 24 Feb 2022 | 6pm - 9pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs
$75 | $67.50 members | Materials supplied 

Image: courtesy the artist

Explore Midland Junction Arts Centre’s exhibitions and studios for a taste of what’s on offer throughout the year. Visit on the Open Day to see local artists working in residence, join in a workshop or drop in activity, watch performances, taste yummy food, browse goods for sale and more.

Sat 30 Oct | 11am - 2pm
FREE | Suitable for all ages

Learn the basketry method of coiling using plant fibres foraged from the garden and local environment with HOLD artist Fiona Gavino. Participants will also learn how to recognise suitable plants for weaving, how to harvest and store them. This workshop is suitable for beginners and for those who have skills they would like to develop further. Materials supplied but you are welcome to bring along your own foraged materials to incorporate.

Fiona Gavino is a nationally recognised fibre artist and educator who applies basket making materials and techniques to create sculpture and installation. From 2012-2020 she was the Professional Development and Training Officer for ART ON THE MOVE. Fiona will be working in residence 18 - 31 October 2021. 

Sat 23 Oct | 10am – 4pm | Suitable for 13+ yrs 
$80 | $72 members | Materials supplied
Enrolment T&C’s >

Image: courtesy the artist

Join HOLD curator and artist Leanne Bray to create a vibrant coiled basket using rope and colourful recycled fabrics - inspired by basketry techniques and materials from across the Indian Ocean Rim.

Leanne Bray is a multi-disciplined artist who has designed, illustrated, lectured, and worked with textiles and many other mediums for over thirty-five years. She has exhibited and run her own gallery spaces and creative businesses in both Australia and Africa. Bray has also worked on many public art projects, activating spaces with her colourful designs.

Sat 16 Oct | 12pm – 3pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs   
$60 | $54 members | Materials supplied
Enrolment T&C’s >

Image: Leanne Bray, Each Stitch Counts, 2018, remnant textiles, thread, soft rope. Don't Jettison Everything, 2018, Mundaring Arts Centre. Photograph by Jess Boyce. 

Join HOLD artist Anne Williams to learn a range of weaving techniques to create a small pouch out of waxed linen and beads to hold something special to you.

Previously an art teacher, Anne Williams now shares her passion for textiles, through spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet, basketry, natural dyeing and pigment making through workshops and exhibitions with previous solo shows at Mundaring Arts Centre (2016) and Midland Junction Arts Centre (2019).

Sat 9 Oct | 12pm – 3pm | Suitable for 16+yrs
$60 | $54 members | Materials supplied
Midland Junction Arts Centre 276 Great Eastern Hwy Corner of Cale St Midland WA
Enrolment T&C’s >

Keep nimble little fingers busy during the school holidays creating colourful paper weavings with HOLD curator and artist Leanne Bray. Using paper and scissors and kids will make vibrant creations inspired by baskets in the exhibition.

Leanne Bray is a multi-disciplined artist who has designed, illustrated, lectured, and worked with textiles and many other mediums for over thirty-five years. She has exhibited and run her own gallery spaces and creative businesses in both Australia and Africa. Bray has also worked on many public art projects, activating spaces with her colourful designs.

Thu 7 Oct | 10am – 12pm | Suitable for 7-12 yrs
$35 | $31.50 members | Materials supplied
Enrolment T&C’s >

Image: courtesy the artist

Hear from a selection of Western Australia’s leading fibre artists and facilitators, as they discuss the rich and diverse practice of fibre art across the state as part of the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial.

Martien van Zuilen is a maker of felt, Convenor of Fibres West and is exhibiting in HOLD at Midland Junction Arts Centre until 30 Oct. 

A crucial figure in the development of contemporary fibre sculpture in Australia, Nalda Searles' exhibition Finders Keepers is on display at Mundaring Arts Centre until 30 Oct. 

Sharyn Egan is a painter, weaver and sculptor exhibiting in multiple Indian Ocean Craft Triennial exhibitions and presenting a workshop at Mundaring Arts Centre on 19 Sep.

Pip Hoy is a mixed media artist working in appliqué, embroidery and quilting and current Vice President of WAFTA.

Sat 2 Oct | 11am – 12pm | Suitable for 16+ yrs   
FREE | Bookings essential | Light refreshments included after the talk

Image: Martien van Zuilen, Interlude I (Emerge) (detail), hand-felted, stitched, dyed, 43 x 20 x 17 cm. Courtesy the artist.

Join HOLD artist Tania Spencer in the school holidays to make funky, bright and cheerful flowers using flagging tape. Kids will discover how to use round knitting looms as a weaving tool, a technique that can also be used with wool. After the workshop kids can either install their flowers in Tania's installation outside the arts centre or take them home.

Tania Spencer is a multi media artist and often works with recycled and found materials. Living and working rurally from Lake Grace, Tania has exhibited since 2000 across Western Australia as well as in Adelaide, Sydney and Japan.

Thu 30 Sep | 10am - 12pm | Suitable for all ages
$35 | $31.50 members | Materials supplied
Enrolment T&C’s >

Image: courtesy the artist

Create a small bag or phone/drink bottle carrier using recycled t-shirts and an upcycled bottle loom with HOLD artist Anne Williams during the school holidays and learn about the history of basketry and bag making.

Previously an art teacher, Anne Williams now shares her passion for textiles, through spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet, basketry, natural dyeing and pigment making through workshops and exhibitions with previous solo shows at Mundaring Arts Centre (2016) and Midland Junction Arts Centre (2019).

Wed 29 Sep | 10am - 12pm | Suitable for ages 9 – 16yrs
$35 | $31.50 members | Materials supplied
Enrolment T&C’s >

Image: Photograph by Jess Boyce

Join HOLD artist Tania Spencer for an introduction to working with wire. You'll learn how to make a caged armature for hollow forms, animal or figurative sculptures. Using the techniques of binding and looping along with twisting and wrapping, you will complete one small piece during the workshop.

Tania Spencer is a multi media artist and often works with recycled and found materials. Living and working rurally from Lake Grace, Tania has exhibited since 2000 across Western Australia as well as in Adelaide, Sydney and Japan.

Sat 25 Sep | 12pm – 3pm | Suitable for 16+yrs
$60 | $54 members | Materials supplied
Enrolment T&C’s >

Image: courtesy the artist

Join celebrated textiles artist Martien van Zuilen for a full day of felting to create a tall vessel. This hands-on class explores the sculptural qualities of handmade felt; students will learn about designing with wool and fibre blending, creating textural effects and using elementary stitch to create a unique tall form. Previous felting experience is not necessary. 

Martien van Zuilen is an established felt artisan and fibre artist based in Perth, Western Australia. She uses wool fibres, mixed media and collected objects to create complex felted forms, sculptural works and distinctive objects which are exhibited internationally. You can see Martien's work in HOLD 4 Sep - 30 Oct.

Sat 18 Sep 2021 | 9:30am - 4:30pm | Suitable for 13+ yrs
$99 | $89.10 members | All materials supplied
(Additional take home materials available to purchase from Martien on the day)
Enrolment T&C’s >

Learn how to craft your own whimsical piece of nature using gathered materials, vines, fibre, willow, silk, wire and imagination with HOLD artist Liliana Stafford. 

Winner of the 2020, Castaways Scultpure Alcoa Major Award, Liliana describes herself as a story teller through art, finding inspiration and materials on regular walks in the natural wetland near her home. Liliana will be in residence as part of HOLD 30 Aug – 12 Sep and you can view more of her work here.

Sat 11 Sep 2021 | 12pm - 3pm | Suitable for 14+ yrs
$60 | $54 members | Materials supplied
Enrolment T&C’s >

Image: courtesy of the artist.

Learn the art of Orizome with Ingrid Mulder of Crow Mountain Paper. Orizome is a traditional Japanese technique that combines paper folding and dip-dyeing to create decorative patterned paper. In this half day workshop with Ingrid, you'll learn which paper to use and traditional folding styles while experimenting with a range of coloured dyes. Participants will leave with a range of beautiful papers that can be used as book or journal covers, in card making and box covering, for wrapping a special gift or papercraft.

Having studied and worked at the Washi no Sato Papermaking factory in Japan for over 12 years, Ingrid has a wealth of paper making expertise to impart on new students.

Sat 29 May | 12pm - 3pm | Suitable for 13+ yrs
$80 | $72 members | All materials supplied
Enrolment T&C’s >