Wearable Art Workshops
Wearable Art Mandurah is more than just a competition, it's a year-long professional development program, offering opportunities for artists and community members to learn and grow through the magic of wearable art
Volunteer Performer Workshop
Sunday 28 August
18+ years - 2:00pm-3:30pm
Under 18 years - 4:00pm-5:30pm
Coodanup Community Hall
Wearable Art Mandurah is seeking Mandurah-based community members to join us onstage as volunteer performers for our 2022 Showcase performance on October 15-16.
This opportunity is open to people of any age (12+), background or experience to take part in a 5-minute movement routine as part of the Showcase finale, with some other opportunities also available. Some dance or movement experience may be helpful, but isn’t required – the most important thing is that you’re enthusiastic, positive and happy to get involved!
To get involved: please join us for a free movement workshop on Sunday 28 August at Coodanup Community Hall, where you can learn more about the opportunity, meet the Showcase Creative Director Helen Duncan and show us what you can do. If you can’t make the workshop, we are also open to receiving footage of your performance skills via video.
For more information: read this Information Pack for more details on the opportunity. For enquiries, please email wearableart@mandurah.wa.gov.au or call 08 9550 3842.
To register your interest: complete this Registration Form and tell us a bit about yourself!
Upcoming Workshops
Keep an eye on this page for the announcement of new Wearable Art Mandurah workshops in 2022.
Introduction to Paper Cutting | 7 November 2021
Introduction to Paper Cutting: Paper Wearable Art Workshop
Sunday 7 November
3:00pm – 5:00pm
David Grays Arena, Platinum Room
Attendance free, registration essential
Join professional paper artist Anne Gee in an inspiring paper cutting and design workshop.
This workshop will guide participants through the discovery and experimentation of paper cutting, and how it can be applied to wearable art. Participants will explore various artists and their techniques while learning the basic skills of design.
This is a beginner-friendly paper cutting design workshop (differentiated for students with experience) covering specific cutting and knife skills, and providing attendees the opportunity to produce their own unique piece to take home!
Anne Gee is an award-winning artist from Cottesloe, whose arts practice includes illustration, intricate hand-crafted paper-cut works, ink pen maps, drawings, paintings and three-dimensional paper sculptures under glass. She has more recently focused on public art, ephemeral light installations and collaborative projects into larger scale sculptural works in both metropolitan and regional Western Australia.
Starting Small: Mini Wearable Art | 7 November 2021
Starting Small: Mini Wearable Art Youth Workshop
Sunday 7 November
10:30am – 12:30pm
Billy Dower Youth Centre
Suitable for ages 8-18
Attendance free, registration essential
Do you know a creative young mind who wants to create wearable art, but doesn’t know where to begin?
Join artist, Jodie Davidson, in a 2 hour workshop exploring the development of ideas and inspiration to build your own wearable art garment. Participants will get the opportunity to put their creative minds and hands to work, building a mini prototype out of easily sourced materials to further understand construction, joining methods and stability. A mini catwalk will be provided for an afternoon display of designs during the 2021 Wearable Art Mandurah Showcase – Relaxed Performance.
Jodie Davidson is a skilled wearable art designer and facilitator and has participated in Wearable Art Mandurah as a 2017 Wearable Art finalist, 2018 Wearable Art Whispers Project Designer, Headpiece Challenge Youth Coordinator and 2021 Youth and Tertiary Coordinator.
Insights: Showcase Artist Talks | 6 November 2021
Insights: Showcase Artist Talks
Saturday 6 November
10:30am – 1:00pm
David Grays Arena, Platinum Room
Before you see the amazing Wearable Art Mandurah Showcase, hear the inspiration and hard work behind the garments.
Seven incredible artists, all with different backgrounds and experience-levels, will provide unique insight into their process of creating wearable art for this year’s competition. See how they wove, glued and stitched their way into the Showcase performance or In the Fold exhibition!
Featured artists: Jacqueline Gibson (Bubble), Renate Jamieson (Bodies of Water, The Colourful Apocalypse), Terryll Osborne and Renee Nsengimana (Tertiary Pairing Project), Ardea M (New Again, presented at the In the Fold: Paper Category Exhibition), Monica Goodall and Philomena Hali (Menos).
Designer Reviver | 4 June 2021
Designer Reviver - Networking Event and Panel
Friday 4 June
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Make Place, 38 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah 6210 WA
Free attendance - registration essential
Come together with other Wearable Art Mandurah Designers to relax, revive and refresh before the mad scramble for submissions!
This free event provides an opportunity for you to chat with other designers about their work, get or give advice on the creative process, or commiserate about some of your less successful attempts. This catered event will also include live music and a special panel featuring:
- Michelle Boylan (Metro Modelling)
- Sacha Mahboub (WAM Wardrobe Manager)
- Carolyn Marks (CASM Curator)
Together our panellists will discuss their experiences managing previous WAM events and exhibitions, some of the DOs and DON’Ts that they’ve picked up along the way, and what draws them back to Wearable Art every year, especially in a post-COVID world.
This is a free event, however registration is essential.
Styling and Photography | 6 June 2021
Styling and Photography Workshop - with Metro Modelling and Stephen Heath Photography
Sunday 6 June
11:00am - 2:00pm
CASM Workshop, 63 Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah 6210 WA
$46.53 attendance fee
With the WAM submission deadline approaching, this workshop will provide valuable insight on making your garment look amazing for pre-selection!
Michelle Boylan and Dean Philips of Metro Modelling will guide you through the process of designing hair and makeup for your garment, and how to communicate that in your Dressing Instructions for Judging Day.
Then Stephen Heath of Stephen Heath Photography will show you how to photograph your entry for pre-submission with minimal resources, and how he gets the best out of your garment in a professional photo shoot.
Wearable Art staff will also be on hand to answer questions about this year’s program.
Designing a Successful Garment | 22 May 2021
Designing a Successful Garment with Nasrin Qasemi
Time: 11:00am-1:00pm
Location: CASM Workshop, 63 Ormsby Tce, Mandurah
Suitable for all ability levels. Cost: $26.09
This 2-hour workshop with Nasrin Qasemi offers insight into the challenging but rewarding process of creating Wearable Art, in particular her award-winning piece Coral. During the first hour of the workshop Nasrin will present two Wearable Art garments, discussing her inspiration, the techniques she trialled and used, and the challenges she faced throughout the projects. The second hour of the workshop will be open to questions and discussion. Participants are welcomed to share their own challenges and triumphs, and together with Nasrin and the other attendees, inspire one another. Wearable Art Mandurah staff will also be in attendance to respond to any questions about the program. Nasrin was the recipient 2019 Wearable Art Mandurah Tertiary Highly Commended award, Bronze Medallist in the 2019 World Skills Australia award, and received the WA Designers to Watch Award for best Zero Waste Garment.
Dyeing to Upcycle | 8 September
Dyeing to Upcycle
Time: 9.30am-1pm
Location: CASM Workshop, 63 Ormsby Tce, Mandurah
Suitable for beginners. Cost: $60
In this 3.5 hour workshop, participants will learn safe, environmentally friendly techniques for upcycling a range of secondhand materials, particularly cotton fabrics. Content will include pre-dyeing steps (scouring, soy, alum and tannin mordants), dyeing with a range of local, sustainably sourced materials and post-dyeing steps (iron bath, mark-making with modifiers).
Students will learn through a practical, hands-on approach and discover the difference that each step makes to the colour range and fastness of dye outcomes. Techniques learned in this workshop are transferable to a wide range of fibre art mediums that can be utilised in future Wearable Art garments. A strong focus of the workshop will be on safe experimentation, record-keeping and environmental responsibility.
All materials and equipment provided and includes afternoon tea. Students will take home workshop notes and samples of the cloths as reference materials.
Backpack Garment Support | 14 June
Backpack Garment Support
for ages 16yrs+
When: Friday, 14 June 2019.
Time: 8:30am - 5pm
Cost: $185
Location: Coodanup College Trade Training Centre - Corner of Wanjeep St & Steerforth Drive, Coodanup
Ever wondered how to balance unusually shaped garments on the body?
Working with assorted hand-tools, learn how to design and construct a basic aluminium backpack frame.
This Wearable Art workshop is suited to advanced makers who have an interest in altering body shape/silhouette but have been experiencing difficulty balancing load and weight.
Louise Grimshaw is a lecturer in prop design at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
Very limited spaces – book early!
Cost includes all materials needed.
Secrets to Zero Waste Pattern Making | 15 June
Secrets to Zero Waste Pattern Making
for ages 16yrs+
When: Saturday, 15 June 2019.
Time: 9.30am - 1.30pm
Cost: $95
Location: ManPAC Dance Studio
South Metropolitan TAFE lecturers Mladen Milicich and Lisa Westover Piller unearth the secrets and inspiration behind zero-waste fashion design.
As passionate designers and pattern makers of sustainable fashion, Mladen and Lisa will guide workshop participants in the design and creation of a zero waste garment.
This four-hour workshop will include materials and equipment.
Headpiece Workshop with Jodie Davidson | 16 June
Headpiece Workshop with Jodie Davidson
for ages 11yrs+
When: Sunday, 16 June 2019.
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: $35
Location: Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah | 63 Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah
Create a headpiece a la Wearable Art style. Express your history, tell a story or begin to play and see where it leads. You’ll be surprised! Focussing on creative reuse of commonly found materials discover how to screw, tie, stitch and bind them together and produce your own wearable art headpiece.
Creating Sculptural Forms | 27 October'18
Creating Sculptural Forms
Wearable art and Powertex with Ashley Hay
This workshop will explore a range of innovative techniques for creating extravagant sculptural forms and incredible textures in wearable art, using the Powertex medium.
During this full-day workshop you will create a wearable art piece for part of the body, experimenting with Powertex liquid sculpting medium, poly pipe, Styrofoam, cardboard, fabric, paper, alfoil and masking tape. Come along and be inspired... get hands-on and go home armed with ideas! Includes Colourtrix metallic effects.
From the attendees at the 2017 workshop, many were 2018 Wearable Art Mandurah winners!
Here’s what two designers had to say:
230 Safety Bay Road, Safety Bay (behind Zocalo Mexican Restaurant)Materials Cost*:
$35 for registered Wearable Art Mandurah entrants
$45 for Non-participants*The facilitation of this workshop is sponsored by Powertex Australia - the only cost is for materials. The regular workshop and materials fee would normally be $195 per person.
All materials and tools supplied by Powertex Australia.
Creative Reuse in Wearable Art | 25 Sept, 2-3 Oct'18
Creative Reuse in Wearable Art
for 18 Years Under
Following the success and the number of Youth entrants in the 2018 competition, Jodie Davidson will again present practical instructions and ideas to plan and create a wearable art garment for the 2019 competition. The series of three workshops include:
Workshop One:
Concept, development and planning followed by working with found and freely sourced materials to create effects and patterns for your garment
Workshop Two:
Getting the pieces together. Begin constructing your garment including headpieces and accessories
Workshop Three:
Construction
A wide range of materials will be provided, however, participants are encouraged to bring along any of their own materials if they wish to.
When:
- Tues, 25 September 9am – 3pm
- Tues, 2 Oct 9am – 3pm
- Wed, 3 Oct 9am – 3pm
Where: Lakelands Library & Community Centre
Cost: Free for aged 18 and under.
Headwear in Wearable Art with Louise Grimshaw | 26 August'18
Photo by; Stephen Heath Photography www.stephenheathphotography.com
Headwear in Wearable Art
with Louise Grimshaw
This full-day workshop will guide participants through the construction process of making a stable and secure basic wire headdress frame. It includes wire-bending techniques, soldering processes and upskilling technical abilities to create a wearable art headdress frame suitable for individual designs.
When: Sunday 26 August 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
Where: Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah Workshop
Where: 63 Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah
Cost: $145 includes materials and equipment.
Participants to supply their own respirator suitable for soldering and safety glasses.
About Louise Grimshaw
Felt the Body | Martien Van Zuilen
Felt the Body: armatures, frames and skeletons in handmade felt
Location Date and Time Cost
MPAC Dance Studio 11-12 June 2018 $200 for 2 day workshop
Ormsby Terrace
Mandurah, WA 6210
Join renowned felt artist Martien van Zuilen and learn a range of techniques to include armatures, frames and skeletons into handmade felt. Using wool and other natural fibres and materials, you can expect to finish an assortment of hand-felted samples applicable to all manner of art projects and creative ideas. The possibilities to incorporate armatures in handmade are truly endless; in this workshop you will discover what is possible and how.
Handmade felt is the oldest textile known to humankind; the contemporary applications of transforming wool fibres into one-of-a-kind wearable works of art are truly amazing.
This is a workshop suitable for all levels of experience; whether you are a keen beginner or an experienced feltmaker, the techniques and ideas presented in this class will cater for and fascinate all.
About Martien van Zuilen
Martien van Zuilen is a felt artist and tutor living in Perth, Australia. She exhibits her high-quality and distinctive felt art nationally and internationally. Since the late 1980s she has delivered felt-making workshops at all levels of experience; throughout Australia, in Europe and the USA. Martien is the founder of the Victorian Feltmakers, the current editor of Felt, Australia’s national felting magazine and the Convenor of Fibres West Inc. In 2013, she completed her PhD in Anthropology with an ethnographic thesis on the significance of women’s textile art in Australia. Martien’s artwork is published in numerous international publications, including Showcase 500 Art Necklaces (book), Textile Fibre Forum, Felt Matters, ViltKontakt, Fiber Art Now, Yurts Tipis and Benders (book), FELT, verFilzt Und zugeNäht, Pots and Pods for Feltmakers, Adventures in the Third Dimension (book), and Worldwide Colours of Felt (book).
www.martienvanzuilen.com
Creating Movement in Wearable Art | Helen Coleman
Location Date and Time Cost
CASM Workshop Sun. 10 June 2018 $55 for 2 hour workshop
63 Ormsby Terrace 10:30am-1:00pm
Mandurah, WA 6210
Explore the possibilities of motion in this Wearable Art workshop with award winning artist, Helen Coleman. Helen will share practical advice learned during the design process for her 2017 Architectural garment, Icarus Rising.
The workshop will begin with a theory session using Icarus Rising as an example, focusing on the creation of articulated segments, practicality, durability and wearer comfort. Helen will then guide students in a hands-on exercise, where they can consolidate and explore new information by creating an articulated sculpture that conforms to the human body.
All materials and tools will be provided but students are welcome to bring their own materials to incorporate into their sculpture if desired.
About Helen Coleman
Helen is an emerging mixed media artist from Mandurah, Western Australia. She works primarily with natural and salvaged materials, with a belief that nothing (and no-one) is ordinary.
With a strong background in science and information technology, Helen loves to experiment with new techniques and create art pieces that share information and inspire others. She enjoys being involved in projects that have a strong social or environmental message, or that push the boundaries of existing knowledge.
She is currently an artist-in-residence at the Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah gallery, where she is exploring the ecodyeing potential of Mandurah’s local plants
Creating Form with Fibre | Kate Campbell Pope
Location Date and Time Cost
MPAC Dance Studio 8-9 June 2018 $200 for 2 day workshop
Ormsby Terrace
Mandurah, WA 6210
In this 2-day workshop, participants will learn a variety of innovative techniques to work with textiles and natural fibre materials. Methods include coiling, twining, netting and random stitch to create evocative 3D forms.
You can expect to create a range of samples, including vessels and pieces which sculpt around bodily form. The relationship between fibre art, wearable art and the body more conceptually will also be explored. Make sure to bring a notebook or visual diary to record your ideas for future projects!
Workshop structure:
Day 1:
Introduction/Workshop outline
Process 1: Random stitch to create a vessel – examples, demo, participant exploration
Lunch
Process 2: Coiling – examples – traditional/contemporary, demo, participant exploration
Talk/Slide show – Fibre and the Body, including anatomical, historical and cultural references
Free Exploration, including drawing and further working with techniques shown
Day 2:
Feedback and Discussion following Day 1 – ideas germinating
Process 3: Netting – as structural, for draping, or infill – examples, demo, participant exploration
Lunch
Process 4: Twining – examples, demo, participant exploration
Talk/Slide Show - Fibre and Form – what is possible and how??
Final discussion and questions
About Kate Campbell-Pope
Kate is a visual artist who as well as exhibiting widely, has worked in community arts, public art, teaching, curating, and mentoring. She has participated in group exhibitions locally, nationally, and internationally in Chile and Japan.
Kate has a strong affinity with fibre/textiles in her practice, often using low tech processes such as hand stitch and adapted basketry techniques.
Her work often draws on references from local flora and the natural world, and conveys ideas around regeneration and growth, ephemerality and place.
Creative Reuse for 18 Years Under | September & October
Are you curious about wearable art but need guidance?
Join 2017 Wearable Art Mandurah finalist Jodie Davidson as she presents many practical instructions and ideas, including:
Inspiration to clear the blank canvas and find that starting point
- Practical play using repurposed materials
- How to make your wearable art count this year using scale, colour, texture, repetition and rhythm
- Application clarification and criteria, including valuable tips on what the judges are looking for.
Do you need inspiration?
Spend time at our ‘inspiration station’ full of books, images, DVD’s and wearable art ideas to ignite your imagination.
About Jodie Davidson
Jodie is a multidisciplinary visual artist with a varied practice combining the natural environment and urban development. She has worked with community groups in city and regional areas promoting creative ‘play’ to find inspiration. She uses predominantly recycled and natural materials in sculpture, textiles, illustration and writing to produce artwork that reinforces her belief in sustainability.
BOOKINGS ESSSENTIAL
Click here to registerWhen
Wednesday 27 September 12.30 – 4.30 pm – Concept development, planning and design
Tuesday 3 October 12.30 – 4.30 pm Construction
Wednesday 4 and October 10.00 am – 4 pm - Construction
Where
Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre
Cnr Flavia Street and Cobblers Avenue Falcon
Cost
Free for 18 and under
Wearable Art: Creating Sculpture | Saturday 23rd September
Wearable Art: Creating Sculpture | Saturday 23rd September
This workshop focusses on building structure and foundation and explores methods of construction.
In the design process, the creation of wearable art needs to consider but not be constrained by certain practicalities - balance, safety, durability, fit.
You will get a chance to explore different materials and production techniques and begin to understand how your own work might take shape.
Bookings Essential
When
Saturday 23rd September from 10am to 4.00pm
Where
Kanga Paws Workshops
The Old Police Station, 45 Henderson Street, Fremantle, WA 6160
Cost*
$158.51
WAFTA @ Wearable Art Mandurah 2018 with Louise Wells, winner Avant Garde | Saturday 30th September
WAFTA @ Wearable Art Mandurah 2018 with Louise Wells, winner Avant Garde.
Would you like to enter Wearable Art Mandurah in 2018?
Says Louise: “I have loved being a part of this competition over the past four years, making lots of great friendships in this wonderful community of designers, and there are many, many opportunities to have your work shown. It’s going to be loads of fun! I hope you can join us, places are filling fast!”
Along with making her own garment for the 2018 competition, Louise is running a five month long – one day per month program WAFTA @ Wearable Art 2018, starting 30th September. This program will move step-by-step through the processes and challenges to create and enter your work in the upcoming 2018 competition. Louise is going to share her successes and disasters!
The program will cover:
- Concept development
- Material choices
- Tips and techniques
- Judging criteria
- Mentoring and instruction
- Pre-selection photography
- Artist statements
Click below for further details and to book and pay online
Book OnlineSuitable for Beginners, Tertiary Students, Groups (1 or 2 people) and Individuals.
Foam Fabrication for Costume | Sunday 8th October
Foam Fabrication for Costume
This workshop introduces different types of foam and their use in costume and prop making.
After exploring the properties of each, students will progress through the various stages of foam construction from shaping, moulding, bonding, sewing, laminating, detailing and finishing.
We will look at adhesives, paints and fabric finishing and get your hands on working, shaping and fabricating your own piece to help you understand how this course applies to your own projects.
Bookings Essential
When
Sunday 8th October from 10am to 4.00pm
Where
Kanga Paws Workshops
The Old Police Station, 45 Henderson Street, Fremantle, WA 6160
Cost*
$158.51
Creating Sculptural Forms | Saturday 28th October
Wearable Art at Powertex with Ashley Hay
This workshop will explore a range of innovative techniques for creating extravagant sculptural forms and incredible textures in wearable art, using the Powertex medium.
During this full day workshop you will create a wearable art piece for part of the body, experimenting with Powertex liquid sculpting medium, polypipe, Styrofoam, cardboard, fabric, paper, alfoil and masking tape. Come along and be inspired... get hands on and go home armed with ideas!!! Includes Colourtrix metallic effects.
From the attendees at the 2016 workshop, three were 2017 Wearable Art Mandurah winners!
Here’s what they had to say:
Helen Coleman, winner Architectural: Last year I knew what I wanted to make for Wearable Art, but not how to do it. By the time I had finished Ash's Powertex workshop I had the techniques I needed to create Icarus Rising.
Carol Hazel, facilitator of Silver Chain, winner Powertex Award: It is versatile and easy to use. Ashley covered many techniques in the workshop which proved valuable in the making of Sands of Time.
Marie Gallin, winner (with Jude Tupman) Wearable Art Mandurah Artist of the Year: Thank you, Ash, for so generously sharing your creativity and experience with us all.[/box]
Bookings Essential
When
Saturday, October 28 from 9am to 4.30pm
Where
Powertex Australia
230 Safety Bay Road, Safety Bay (Behind Zocalo Mexican Restaurant)
Materials Cost*
$35 for Registered Wearable Art Mandurah entrants
$45 for Non-participants
This workshop is now closed for registration.
*The facilitation of this workshop is sponsored by Powertex Australia – the only cost is for materials. Regular workshop and materials fee would normally be $150 per person.
All materials and tools supplied by Powertex Australia. www.powertex.com.au
Making Wire Structures: Headwear Art | Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November
Making Wire Structures: Headwear Art
Have you ever wanted to make a showgirl style headdress but don’t know where to start? This is exactly the workshop you’ve been looking for!
Come along and be guided through the construction process as you learn to make and decorate a basic wire headdress frame.
Throughout the 2 day workshop participants will learn to explore wire-bending techniques and soldering processes.
This workshop will up-skill your technical abilities so you can confidently create any headdress of your own design.
Bookings Essential
When
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November
Where
Great Southern Workshops
Porongurup Hall, Porongurup Road, Porongurup, Western Australia
Cost
$295 + $48 material fee