Open Studio Weekend Countdown .......... 5 weeks to go!
During the Easter Weekend 9 of Birregurra's practicing artists invite you to discover their studios, providing an intimate and privileged insight into their arts practice.
The Weekend provides a rare opportunity for visitors to chat with the artists in their studios and view works in progress, pieces that didn't quite make it, and, of course, successful end results. Also, where possible, they may witness the creation of a new work. You are invited to experience the people, space, making process and ideas that unfold within the private studios of artists in and around Birregurra.
The Weekend provides a rare opportunity for visitors to chat with the artists in their studios and view works in progress, pieces that didn't quite make it, and, of course, successful end results. Also, where possible, they may witness the creation of a new work. You are invited to experience the people, space, making process and ideas that unfold within the private studios of artists in and around Birregurra.
The studios will be open Saturday, 19th and Sunday, the 20th of April, 10am - 4pm.
At 9 weeks out we started a countdown of a weekly artist spotlight, giving you a little taster about one of the talented artists each week.
The week 5 spotlight is on Wendy Dennis at Tarndwarncoort Homestead
Wendy & David Dennis run a Polwarth sheep and wool growing enterprise on their historic Birregurra property ‘Tarndwarncoort‘, established 1840 in Western Victoria. Polwarth sheep were developed by Richard Dennis at Tarndwarncoort in 1880, by crossing Saxon Merino sheep from Tasmania with Victorian Lincoln sheep. This progeny was then joined back to the Merino and bred to a fixed type. These un-mulsed sheep were named Dennis Comebacks and later renamed Polwarth after the local electorate. They are Australia’s first breed of sheep.
At the farmgate wool shop, four and eight ply worsted Polwarth yarn is sold in approximately two hundred gram hanks along with fleece and/or wool top that make any textile artist's dreams come true.
Being an accomplished textile artist herself, Wendy hand-dyes the wool for craft use, producing an unlimited colour palette that is something to behold.
During the Open Studio Weekend, Tarndwarncoort Homestead is one stop not to be missed.
As well as sampling the delicacies from the Courtyard Cafe, there will be Hay Rides for the kids to enjoy, workshops and Saturday night sees the official opening of the Ciderhouse Gallery.
Monica Provan, Chris Hoggard and Tim Lucas are the 3 local artisans that are exhibiting and demonstrating their workmanship in the beautiful surrounds of Tandwarncoort. (see their individual profiles amongst the 'Open Studio Countdown' post on this site)