white-on-white hand-knitted trees.

Basket weaver Jim Walliss provides a connection to the land with his traditional baskets made from native plant materials while Geoff Davis creates virtuoso conquistador round-edged braided leatherwork in Italian leather. Mike St Clair's turned and painted rose banksia vessels, Maurizio Zannetti's exquisitely turned and carved huon pine bowls and Neville Wostear's precision woodturned

silky oak and red ash bowls complete the Society's trio of woodworkers. Jeweller Michael Ripoll is exhibiting 50 silver rings, all made within a 50 day period (a ring a day) using only basic equipment and material at hand.

Completing the display are four unique and beautifully made applique and acrylic wallhangings by guest exhibitor Martin Roberts.

Men@Work is open until May 15 at Craft NSW, 104 George St, The Rocks, Sydney.

Left, Maurizio Nannetti huon pine bowl. Right, Neville Wostear silky oak bowl, gold leaf

Top Geoff Davis italian leather braided belt. Left Glen Doyle 'pelican' wire sculpture. Right Jude Skeers hand knitted wall hanging.

The guest exhibitor at the Men@Work exhibition in the Craft NSW gallery must be a very busy man.

A glance at his CV and you would be excused for thinking that this young man must have hit the ground running, from Limerick College of Art in Ireland to The University of Central Lancashire, to Bologna, back to London and finally, Sydney.

Martin has worked as a cutter/maker for such productions as Phantom of the Opera, Hamlet, Mary Poppins and Australia.

He has worked on films such as The Tailor of Panama, Rebel Heart, Ulysees and in various opera companies, including Opera Ireland, and Opera Australia - not to

mention several dance companies. He has also lectured in fashon design and textile imagery.

And in his spare time, he exhibits widely, most recently at the Tap Gallery and the Mardi Gras Visual Gallery in Sydney, winning several art prizes along the way. All within the space of 15 years.

Martin's artwork is a continuation of his work with textiles - an evolution of traditional techniques and ideas placed into a more contemporary visual context.

He combines layers of fabric collage and paint as a medium creating both 2 and 3 dimensional works.

www.martinroberts.com.au

Martin Roberts fabric applique and acrylic painting. Left 'Hilde', Right 'Meow Meow'

'Everyone has a different story to tell. I take inspiration from moments in my life, from the people, places and events that I see in it.'  Martin Roberts

Five calligraphers from the Australian Society of Calligraphers recently participated in the Brushed with Time exhibition at the Craft NSW gallery. The exhibition, planned as part of the City of Sydney's annual celebrations for the Chinese New Year, was the first time that the Society of Arts and Crafts of NSW has invited members of ASC to contribute to one of their exhibitions. We were keen to be a part of it to see how our works were accepted by a wider audience.

We were given carte blanche to interpret Chinese themes from a Western perspective, using the

colour scheme of red, black and parchment. The final display included 40 small calligraphic works plus an array of hand-made cards and books, intermingled with beautiful woodwork, hand-dyed silk or felted scarves, jewellery, ceramics and glass work by members of the society. Each calligrapher contributed a unique style of work to the exhibition - from works on canvas with a bold and contemporary feel to works on paper ranging from fine traditional off-hand flourishing and copperplate to simple understated capitals on oriental-style washed backgrounds; from a beautiful alphabet wall hanging created with oriental fabrics to a small book retelling an ancient Chinese poem.

We have striven to nurture, encourage and support the art and craft of calligraphy for 30 years now. Although based in Sydney, we have many interstate (and even overseas) members. We produce an informative magazine, Colophon, 4 times a year and also hold monthly workshops inviting tutors from Sydney, interstate and beyond, covering a wide range of topics and skills. We recently published a book, WordsWork, showcasing recent works of over 70 Australian and New Zealand calligraphers which we plan to market worldwide to promote our art-form to the general public.

More information about the society, calligraphy classes and purchasing a copy of Wordswork can be found on our website, www.asoc.org.au

Linda Upfold

Heather Courtis

Robert Howe

Top Susan Tyler Bottom Elaine Witton Right Linda Upfold

Deni Gliddon, 'Scatterings 1'

The Fibre Alchemists group was formed in 2007 by a number of aspiring and established artists who felt that they would benefit by working within a supportive and nurturing atmosphere, where ideas could be developed and skills and experience shared.

The group is made up of ten extraordinary textile and fibre artists who have an abundance of talent and a diverse range of knowledge. As a group, and individually, we strive to develop and expand our knowledge of textile and fibre as an art form. No restrictions are ever made as to the media explored. Paint and dyes, wire and thread, paper and silk, natural and synthetic materials are all equal partners in the quest for fulfilment.

The group has two sides - one which is light and fun and is demonstrated in collaborative ventures of 'Exquisite Corpse' or deconstruction and reconstruction of perhaps an evening dress or, as displayed here, school hats.

The other side is our art. We work to express ourselves in a variety of media and styles which reflect the personal interests of the individual artist.

Each piece in the exhibited collection was inspired by a book of the artist's choosing hence the name the Fibre Alchemists Book Club'. It was to be expected that a group such as Fibre Alchemists would chose a diverse range of books and then not verbalize their response to a book but set about creating a piece in fibre.

Fibre Alechemists Exhibiting: Deborah Baker, Sue Bellantonio, Chris Cox, Helen Evans, Deni Gliddon, Bronwyn Hunter, Gail MacDonald, Julie Richardson, Christine Wiltshier

Gail MacDonald, 'Entry 1991'

Chris Cox, 'My Ralli Bag'

Group of Hats

A 'men only' exhibition with, silver, basketry, wirework, timberwork, fabric and leather, by Geoff Davis, Michael Ripoll, Mike St Clair, Glen Doyle, Jim Walliss, Maurizio Nannetti and Anatole Muschinski with guest exhibitor Martin Roberts.

when 19 April to 15 May, 2011

where Craft NSW 104 George Street The Rocks Sydney 2000

p 9241 5825 w www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/exhibitions.htm

The Acquisitive Prize is $2500. In addition there is a First Prize in each of 8 sections worth $750 each and a Students' Section and a Mayor's Award of $750 (for Narrabri Shire Residents only).

when 6 - 15 May, 2011

where The Crossing Theatre, Narrabri NSW

p 02 6792 4859 w www.australiancottonfibreexpo.org.au

An exhibition by members of Fibre Alchemists of work inspired by their favourite books.

when 17 May to 29 May, 2011

where Craft NSW 104 George Street The Rocks Sydney 2000

p 9241 5825 w www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/exhibitions.htm

This exhibition celebrates the simple but profound beauty of the everyday, the divine in the domestic scene in acrylics and pastels, and the joy of handcrafted ceramic forms with organic additions.

when 13 May to 8 June, 2011

where Shoalhaven City Arts Centre

p 02 4422 0648 w www.shoalhavenartscentre.com.au/may11.html

Spun, woven, knitted, and felted wool, mohair, possum, cotton and other diverse fibres make up this exhibition of fibre design from the members of The Society of Arts and Crafts of NSW.

when 28 June - 31 July 2011

where Craft NSW 104 George Street The Rocks Sydney 2000

w www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/exhibitions.htm

The Macarthur Textile Network will be holding its second Textile Expo on the theme Textiles - without Boundaries. Come along to see our Textile Exhibition, to purchase supplies from a select group of invited stall-holders or to join in a free mini-workshop. (Image, Vicki Davenport)

when 27 and 28 May, 2011 10am-4pm daily

where Camden Civic Centre, Oxley Street, Camden

p S. Wilson 02 4655 8234

The Wollongong Handweavers & Spinners Group Inc celebrates its 50th Anniversary with an Annual Exhibition and Sale. Entry fee is the cost of a raffle ticket only. Demonstrations of spinning and weaving. Proceeds support Crohns Disease Research.

when Saturday 18th June, 2011 from 9:30am - 4pm

where Fairy Meadow Community Centre, Prince's Highway, Fairy Meadow.

p Shirley Connor 02 4228.9292 w wwww.whsg.50.com

The 2011 Sydney Quilt Show will showcase an exhibition of more than 350 member quilts; Art to Wear 2010-Twitchers all of a twitter - Aussie Bird; Art to Wear Guest Exhibitor - Wendy Wright; Best of Australia quilts (Best of Show quilts from across Australia for 2010) and a selection of contemporary quilts by guest exhibitor Lisa Walton.

when 22-26 June, 2011

where Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour

p 02 4422 0648 w www.craftfair.com.au

The 2011 exhibition Annual Manual: A guide to Australian Design Now exhibition will showcase emerging design talent sought from across Australia. A prize will be awarded to one finalist, and this will comprise an opportunity to exhibit in the Object Project Space, as well as $1000 to contribute towards producing this work.

when 9 April - 19 June 2011

where Object Gallery, Sydney (Surrey Hills)

The Australian Society of Miniature Art holds a National Awards Exhibition annually open to non members as well as members. Prizes are awarded for different techniques and recently introduced is the category of a 'portrait in any media'. Call for entries is open to non members as well as members of ASMA Closing date: Friday 17th June 2011

when 8 - 23 July 2011

where Workshop Arts Centre 33 Laurel Street Willoughby NSW

w www.asma-nsw.com/4.html

The extraTexture Group will be holding their first exhibition in Balmain with a wide range of skills in textile, quilt and embroidery Arts. Exhibition items will be for sale as will other interesting smaller items. The members of extraTexture met through, and are members of ATASDA (Australian Textile and Surface Design Association).

when 30 and 31 July 2011 10 am - 3.30pm

where Watchhouse, 179 Darling Street, Balmain

p 02 6792 4859 e Cindy Cooper cindyinoz@yahoo.com

Finalists of Sydney's Powerhouse Museum's International Lace Award have been chosen by five international and Australian judges from an outstanding field of 700 entries. A major international exhibition of over 135 spectacular designs from 22 countries around the globe.

when July 2011 - April 2012

where Powerhouse Museum, Sydney

w Powerhouse Museum

Dimensions in Leather Conference 2011

Workshops in leather with Australian and overseas tutors.

Make a Sheridan carved CD case with Les Bond.

Make a whip with Peter Stower.

Learn the ins and outs of purse and handbag construction to give that professional look to your bags. Understand the various waddings, interfacings, and metal hardware commonly used in handbags. Tutor, Helen MacRitchie.

In this class you will learn new ways to use your embellisher. You will become familiar with a variety of artistic options through demonstrations and practice, gaining insight and experience into the endless creative possibilities of the embellisher/needle felting machine.

This two day 'Printing on Clay' workshop will cover the techniques of silkscreen printing images on to clay by using the Riso/Gocco machine. A day will also be spent perfecting the Photocopy Lithography method, a type of direct printing from photocopies onto leather hard clay. Participants can expect to learn two printing techniques that can be used in a variety of ways. Tutor, Petra Svoboda

Basic and beyond very aptly describes this two-day workshop. On day one you will be introduced to basic papermaking using recycled paper and some pre-cooked plant fibre to create beautiful papers that can be used for stationery, cards, artist's books and other works of art. You will find that you create uniquely individual papers that you can't buy in the shops. With some experimentation you will take your papers beyond the basic. Tutors, Jill Elias and Marie Waterhouse

As a follow up to the basic and Beyond Papermaking Course Jill Elias will offer a weekend workshop to extend your knowledge of plant fibre papers. Almost anything growing in your garden can be formed into papers that range from translucent to richly textured. You will be shown how to prepare, cook, beat and form the papers that will be unique and can be used in a range of art works.