Community Education

A major role in my working life has been spent providing a community education service to individuals and groups in NSW. I have facilitated many activities and events about native fibre crafts on Country and throughout the far western catchment area.

I believe the more we exchange information about our environment the better we can care for and protect it. For the past decade it has been exciting observing across Australia the increase in people practicing native fibre crafts especially in the fashion industry.

Since the early 90’s whatever the job, I have always advocated for the importance of 1st nation cultural practices and protocols and native fibers. If you are interested in my approach to community education the price of my service is negotiable but excludes the cost of travel and accommodation. Duration and number of participants are other variables that affect my price.

Workshop activities include but are not limited to how to:

  • identify native fibers

  • harvest and prepare native fibers and

  • start and finish a woven item

The longer you spend time with me the more information we can share. I’m very proud of the 2008 signage I created that hangs on the entrance of my local hospital Bindawalla, a sign of things I teach.

For me, it is important to exchange information that protects our natural world.

I am proud to share with you an installation I was paid to do by my local hospital, Bindawalla. This work, inspired by the 2016 Fake Art Harm Campaign illustrates the steps I take to begin to weave.

I am open to developing ideas that can be put into practice for groups and individuals to learn how to:

  1. Harvest fibers when, where, and how,

  2. Start making an object or item from native fibers, and

  3. According to the available time and number of participants how to finish your woven design.

For more information or for my availability, please contact me.

Weaving a Future For Traditional Art

Article by Jennifer Cowley