Anne Kelly

It has been an absolutely jam packed and almost too-busy year, but wonderful!

It was the last year of catching up on courses and exhibitions booked before the pandemic. I said to a colleague recently, probably 3 years of exhibitions and travel crammed into one. Thanks to an amazing cohort of exhibition and workshop partners, it all happened. My patient, supportive family and friends have made it possible and helped me to celebrate forty years of living and working in the UK.

The year started with a really special and well-received exhibition at the Harley Foundation Gallery in Worksop.

‘Well Travelled’ was touring from Ruthin Crafts in Wales, and was great to see it on display again in a new setting. I gave some workshops and a talk at the gallery, as well as at the nearby Hope and Elvis, I’m returning in 2024.

I started to prepare for my rescheduled visit to Australia in February, making and collecting objects to take with me, including this workbox.

I had a lovely exhibition in February and March at the wonderful Timeless Textiles Gallery in Newcastle, Australia. It was great to be able to teach there and travel to the Grampians Texture event, teach in Gippsland and back to Sydney and Berry.

I also had a small piece on display at the Tama Art Gallery, as part of a group show. Always so well looked after in Australia – thanks to all my hosts and workshop partners, you know who you are !

It was a quick turnaround and then off to France in April to teach at Le Manoir aux Ecureuils in Thiviers, near Limoges. Beautiful manor house and delicious hospitality. Looking forward to returning in 2024.

I was then off to Nantes, where I was an invited artist at Pour l’Amour du Fil. I had an amazing huge stand and lots of visitors – a wonderful experience. Thanks to Carole and Aurore for all your support.

Another very satisfying and exciting part of my practice this year has been designing kits with wonderful partners Loop London here in the UK

and French General in the USA…

The beginning of May was a chance to make some new work and get ready for a busy summer! I made two jackets from beautiful Australian fabrics gifted to me on my visit there, they are both currently on show in The World of Threads Exhibition in Canada, on until January 14th.

I was also pleased to prepare work for my show at the Batsford Gallery, later in the year. ‘China House and Garden’ was a new piece. It was inspired by a wonderful exhibition at the British Museum, which I wrote about for Embroidery Magazine.

It was lovely to return to France in June to the superb Studio Preniac with a talented group and some more brocante finds…

I did manage to have a lovely holiday with family later in the summer and started this piece with some gifted and found pieces – a happy time.

I was delighted to be a part of the final exhibition at Unit Twelve’s former gallery ‘Thirteen’ and taught a workshop there as well. Looking forward to teaching in their new space in March 2024.

It was a privilege to be a part of the first ‘Stitch by Stitch’ Exhibition in Oswestry, organised by Suzette Smart and Alison Holt. It was a great collection of work and they are already making plans for 2025!

It was also a super experience to be a part of the Festival of Quilts, Sustainable Quilts category. The judges thanked me for ‘rescuing the quilt’ – which was found in a junk shop in America. I mended it before adding embroideries and applique.

I gave many talks this year, in person and online. You can get in touch with me on this website.

I was pleased to give a talk and workshop online for the Embroiderers Guild.

I had a very exciting week in September recording my online course for Fibrearts Take Two. The team were incredibly professional and have created a very special course ‘Collections as a Catalyst’ , which will be available later in 2024. You can register your interest online now.

I arrived in the UK forty years ago and wanted to commemorate this anniversary as well as the launch of Textile Portraits.

I had a lovely meet the artist and book signing event at the Batsford Gallery in October.

I was invited to America before the pandemic to teach and it was lovely to finally be able to combine it with a family visit.

I taught in three venues, signed books and finished with a lovely weekend at French General in LA. It was a treat to work with Kaari and her team again – thank you all!

There is a new doll kit available at Loop, Folk Doll is inspired by vintage American dolls. I’ll be teaching there again next year and you can see all of my workshops with spaces here.

Wishing you and yours a very happy and healthy holiday season, and as a thank you to all my colleagues, students and customers, I’m offering a FREE Christmas Hearts pattern with instructions for you on my shop page here.