Your workshop was the best I have ever attended or likely to. It was so complete with our written work, discussions, meditations, ephemeral art, as well as all the great techniques and the total class commitment and enthusiasm. Rachel
BASKETRY WORKSHOPS
Join me for a range of basketry workshops and courses. Gift yourself the time to learn something new. It’s wonderful to create something from found organic material just using your hands and imagination.
“Thanks so much for an awesome weekend of weaving! It was wonderful to learn a range of weaving styles and enjoy great company.” Jane
“A fantastic workshop.” Jenny
“Thank you so much for the weekend workshop. It was lovely to learn your techniques with a great group of fascinating women” Venta
RANDOM WEAVE SCULPTURES
Join this fun filled full day workshop and learn the random weave basketry technique using the wonderful Bangalow Palm inflorescence.
The workshop is all about exploration and play – not perfection. So it’s perfect for those who think they have no creativity or artistic ability (we are all creative!)- or want to explore that quality more.
Experience and explore sculptural basketry techniques and learn how to create something from found organic material just using your hands and imagination.
It’s a small class so you get hands-on tuition from expert weaver, Catriona Pollard. Materials included, but if you have access to Bangalow Palm inflorescence then bring it along. Once booked, I’ll give you preparation notes.
Suitable for beginners, or intermediate weavers. If you’ve never done weaving before – perfect! You’ll love it and leave with finished basket or sculpture.
WEEKEND BASKETRY WEAVING RETREAT
Learn my favourite 4 basketry techniques in 2 days. You will be learning and exploring my favourite basketry techniques with materials you can easily access after the class so you can keep on weaving:
- random weaving with cane + inclusions
- random weaving with long leafy plants
- twining with jute with a pattern
- looping with paper string
- Bonus: cordage/string demonstration
By the end of this course you will be confident in multiple basketry techniques.
Tapping into your creativity, like all of my workshops, it is so much more than just learning techniques, it’s an opportunity to tap into powerful creativity that is ready to surface.
Learning at your own pace, in this hands on, practical workshop is all about exploration and experimentation not perfection. While learning basketry techniques, you will be reconnecting with your imagination and creativity.
It’s a small class so you get hands-on tuition from expert weaver, Catriona Pollard.
Suitable for beginners, or weavers who are looking to learn these techniques If you’ve never done weaving before – perfect! You’ll love it and leave with finished basketry sculptures and the confidence to do more.
Watch the ABC TV feature on my workshops:
About the tutor: Catriona Pollard
Catriona Pollard is a contemporary artist who uses traditional basketry techniques to transform foraged plant fibres into organic sculptural works. Her unique sculptural work offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and seedpods into works that investigate human’s personal connection with the natural world.
As a dedicated professional educator, she holds sold out sculptural basketry weaving workshops in Australia and internationally and teaches for design and craft centres. She holds demonstrations for organisations including Museums, and gives artist talks at galleries and community groups. She also established the online SchoolofBasketryArt.com with students from around the world.
Engaging audiences to build creative connection with the natural world is a fundamental part of her art practice and her teaching. By transforming organic material into sculptures, she presents an opportunity to be enchanted by the natural world and the stories it shares.
Through her sculptures, she uses nature as a way to connect with people that goes beyond physical beauty, but touches them in a personal and profound way. Ultimately aiming to reignite people’s relationship with nature for the wellbeing of both the human and more than human worlds.
She exhibits extensively in solo exhibitions, selected and group exhibitions. She has been a finalist in many art awards including 2023 International Art Textile Biennale, National Capital Art Prize, Environmental Art & Design Award (Awarded Highly Commended 2022), North Sydney Art Prize, Australian Fibre Arts Award, Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, Northern Beaches Art Prize Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW and Mosman Art Gallery.
Her artwork is profiled across major art and design media and is featured nationally in galleries, high end design spaces and private collections. Watch her talk about her art at ABC TV and Gardening Australia and read in the feature in Good Weekend, SMH/The Age. She is profiled in the Book: Woven Together: Weavers and Their Stories (Gingko Press). See her website for more talks and media.