Detailed Art Retreat Event Description

Found Collected Dyed Stitched Workshop Retreat with Textile Artist Aukje Boonstra. Click here for the Art Retreat Itinerary PDF.

When

When Monday 8th to Friday 12th April 2024

Enrolments close 26th February 2024

Enrolling

Enrolment close 26th February 2024.

Click here to join us for this art retreat at Tin Dragon Trail Cottages.

About the Textile Art Retreat

This retreat-style three-day workshop, is held at a beautiful private property on the banks of the Ringarooma River in North East Tasmania.

Here, you will explore found and collected objects we all seem to gather at different times. You will discover what you can do with your treasures.

Found objects can include shells, bits of driftwood, smooth river stones, pieces of crockery, buttons, rusty iron, copper bits, feathers and much more.

Your found and collected objects may have stories you like to share.

Botanical Dyeing

Botanical dyeing also fits into this theme, as the plants we dye with, are mostly found, collected and stored. Examples of natural dye materials can be windfall in parks and bush and sea weed on the beaches, grown in our gardens and saved in our kitchens.

Aukje will demonstrate various ways of attaching your found objects onto cloth or clothing, as well as different embroidery stitches.

The end results of this workshop could be embellished piece(s) of cloth or garments, a soft sculpture, a book cover or a wall piece.

During the workshop there will be opportunities to read short stories and poems and to relax in nature. Writing, drawing and meditations are on the cards too, as are conversations about things which matter.

The pace will be gentle, the focus on feeling content and relaxed in a peaceful environment. Of course, food is part of the experience, too — with fabulous chef-prepared meals! Where is the afrt retreat?

What is Provided?

• Scheduled airport shuttle to/from Launceston
• All materials and equipment needed for the workshop
• Art tuition for the three-day art retreat
• 4 nights accommodation (live-in participants)
• All meals (lunch and mid-meals for day registrants)

What is not provided?

• Non-scheduled Launceston shuttles.
• Guests will need to provide their own lunches or snacks during shuttle transfers
  
• Beverages. In general, guests are responsible for purchasing their own beverages, including any alcoholic drinks.
• Airfares
  
• Travel insurance

 About Textile Artist Aukje Boonstra

My discoveries about the fascinating ancient craft of Botanical Dyeing will never cease to fascinate me.

It is the whole process of gathering, processing, the simmering in the dye pots and then revealing of the results, when it has cooled down is very satisfying.

Sitting and stitching can be done any time anywhere. Sitting on the deck on a nice day and hand stitch an art work or garment is one of life’s joys.

Gathering, Upcycling and Celebrating Slow Fashion

Tasmania is a constant inspiration to me. The botanical dyeing I do comes straight from nature. The gathering of leaves barks berries and flowers is a wonderful pass time. The details in nature’s marks I find fascinating.

I think of shells, scribbles on bark and rock formations. Ever since I became a mother I got interested in making clothing for my daughter and myself, as I always liked things to be different. Often the only way to that is to make it yourself.

Also making housewares such as curtains, table cloths, cushions, wall pieces, etc just the way I like it. I also did ceramics for some years. That became too hard as I lived with chronic backpain. After I had back surgery I started to attend textile art workshops at Moonah Art Centre in 1996. That was a life changer. I flew with it. Since 2000 I have conducted workshops statewide and later Australia wide. I keep learning and evolving.

Read Aukje’s Textile Artist Profile Story here.

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