Fine Feathers in fibre and birdhouses

The “Fine Feathers” exhibition in May-June 2022 showcases the creativity of our Spinning, Weaving and Knitting and Felting Group members: there are many fibre forms to work with!

We’re also enjoying the quirky crafts of Bill Davies, birdhouse maker.

About Bill – from the Art Shed, Napier:

After hitch-hiking around Australia and working in Western Australia with Aboriginal groups, Bill returned to New Zealand and started a family. As he was always interested in horticulture he ended up running a commercial organic vegetable farm in Te Horo. Back injuries put paid to that so he retrained as a potter.

After 20 years potting he started dyeing fabric using plants and pigments found locally. In the background he was making bird-houses and they have taken on a life of their own. He loves searching for odd bits and pieces to decorate them with. Most are donated by people who have bought houses before. His flock is huge now, and his own house has many sparrow apartments on it!

Fabulous Fibre: basket weaving, wool craft and fibre artwork

“Fabulous Fibre” exhibition and sale of work, with guest artist Mary Moon, will showcase the work of our spinners, weavers, knitters, fibre artists and felters. Most of the work on display will be for sale.

Mary has been an artist all her life, trained in oils and watercolour, and also has a lifelong interest in crafts. Now retired, Mary is currently focusing on Raranga (flax weaving). She did a year long course with Te Wananga o Aotearoa, learning all aspects of Māori weaving and its cultural context.

All her weaving is completed according to tikanga, from the harvesting of the harakeke to the final whiri (plait). Mary says, “I love that the items are from locally sourced materials, hand processed and biodegradable. At the end of their useful lives they return to Papatūānuku.”

Mary will be at the Gallery each Sunday of the exhibition, demonstrating the art of Raranga.

As well as spun, woven, knitted, felted and hand-crafted fibre artwork, Vivien Adams‘ prize-winning machine knitting will be on display.

Kapiti Gallery: Thursday 3rd to Sunday 27th June 2021.

Hours: 10 am to 3 pm, Thursday to Sunday.

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We have a Woolcraft Winner!

Congratulations from Kāpiti Arts and Crafts Society to Vivien Adams, trophy winner in this year’s NZ Machine Knitter’s Society (NZMKS) competition.

Vivien won the Novice Cup in the 2021 competition which is part of the NZMKS festival, held this year in Stratford. The Machine Knitter’s Society includes members from Australia as well as New Zealand.

To win the cup, entrants have to enter four items: Baby, Adult, Non-garment, and competitor’s own choice. Entries are judged on presentation, fabric and seaming, finishing, design and degree of difficulty. The person who has the most points wins the trophy.

(“Novice” means the member hasn’t entered or won previous competitions, not that they’re a beginning knitter.)

You can see Vivien’s prize-winning work in Kāpiti Gallery’s “Fabulous Fibre” Exhibition in June; it will showcase the work of Kāpiti Arts and Crafts Society spinners, weavers, knitters, fibre artists and felters. Most of the work on display will be for sale.

Vivien, who is a member of Kāpiti Arts and Crafts’ Spinning, Weaving and Knitting group, is also newsletter editor for the NZ Machine Knitter’s Society, and her wonderful children’s knitwear is available through the Kāpiti Arts and Crafts Shop in Raumati Village.

As well as highlighting Vivien’s award-winning creations, the “Fabulous Fibre” exhibition will include traditional kete and other work by our guest artist, basket weaver Mary Moon from Ōtaki. Mary will be at the Gallery on Sundays during the exhibition, demonstrating basket weaving.

Fabulous Fibre exhibition and sale of work – Thursday 3rd to Sunday 27th June 2021

Kāpiti Gallery, 192 Matai Road, Raumati Beach.

Gallery opening hours: 10.00 am to 3.00 pm Thursday to Sunday

Group visits can be arranged outside these hours by contacting the gallery manager.

Evening Knitting Group starts 4 March

If you’d like to come to our Spinning, Weaving and Knitting group but can’t make it during the daytime, we’re beginning evening sessions, fortnightly from Thursday 4 March at 7.00 pm. Click here for details

We don’t hold formal classes, but our more experienced members are happy to share their knowledge—and if you know the basics, or are an experienced spinner or knitter, you can work at your own pace in friendly company. (We’ve called it a knitting group to begin with, but spinners, weavers and crocheters are welcome, too.)

Join during March 2021 and you’ll receive FREE a pair of knitting needles, an easy pattern and wool from our stash to get you started. If you’re a spinner, you can bring your own wheel, or borrow one from the group.

Once a core group forms, the time and frequency can be adjusted to suit members. Modest fee per session in 2021, or join the Society as a full member. Great location in Raumati Beach at the Kapiti Arts and Crafts Society workrooms.