Anne Kelly

2023 so far has been very busy for me – so much so that I haven’t updated my blog for quite some time…

I was delighted to return to Australia for a visit that had been postponed due to the pandemic. I taught a total of eight workshops and was treated to some wonderful hospitality throughout.

My first workshop was at Timeless Textiles, in Newcastle, on portraits, also the first time I had delivered it – wonderful work.

My exhibition ‘Portrait Pieces’ coincided with the exhibition and was great to share with students.

I was privileged to be a part of the wonderful Grampians Textures in the Grampians area north of Melbourne. Fantastic work (above) from students on a two day ‘Birds’ course and a four day ‘Australian Landscape’ workshop.

I was pleased to have ‘Hidden Owl’ included in a tutor’s exhibition at the nearby Ararat TAMA Art Gallery.

I had a wonderful time with the Best Yarn Society south of Melbourne, making ‘House and Home’ work.

I then returned to Textile Fest in Berry, for a one day ‘Birds’ and a two day ‘Pet Portraits’ workshop, a selection of work above.

My final workshop was with Atasda in Sydney, a very talented group.

A wonderful visit with Tara Axford at the beautiful newly redesigned Art Gallery of New South Wales was a fantastic end to the trip. Hoping to return in 2025, watch this space.

After a very short turnaround, I went to France to Le Manoir aux Ecureils, a very beautiful home and studio run by Laurence and family. Folk Art themes and a talented group.

I was honoured to be a featured artist at Pour l’Amour du Fil in Nantes this year. A beautifully curated and busy event, thank you to Carol and her team.

I have really enjoyed making some new kits this year for workshops at home and abroad. Above ‘Garden Scroll’ for French General and below ‘Folk Fable’ for Loop London. Both now sold out – thanks to Kaari and Susan for the collaborations.

I returned to France in June to the lovely Studio Preniac near Cahors. We were inspired by the gorgeous wildflowers nearby and the work made by students was stunning. I am returning here in May 2025.

2023 remains busy and all of my courses with spaces are on my website.

I have work currently on display at Unit Twelve as part of their exhibition Thirteen.

My piece ‘Stay at Home’ is on display at the Willow Gallery in Oswestry as aprt of the ‘Stitch by Stitch’ exhibition. It also features on the cover of my new book ‘Textile Portraits’, which is published on 14 September and is available to preorder.

I also have some small pieces and ‘Park Walk Books’ at the Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge in an exhibition called ‘A Sense of Place’, opening July 2.