Thousands flock to fabric art festival

Organisers of the Taupō Symposium 2013 Fabric Art Festival are putting the final plans in place before they open the doors to an expected 2500 people on 18 July.

Convenor Dianne Traveller said today that registrations for the event exceeded expectations, and she believes this is partly due to the high calibre of the international tutors travelling to New Zealand for the event.

“We have been simply blown away by the thousands of registrations,” said Mrs Traveller. “With participants coming from as far away as South Africa, the UK and USA, it is truly an international event. We can’t wait to showcase the best of fabric art technique and design from home and abroad to our participants.”

As well as the many international participants, the Symposium is also hosting 30 international tutors, including world famous Gwen Marston.

Gwen Marston is a US based professional fibre artist, author, and teacher. She has taught nationally and internationally for over three decades. She has written 26 books, two of which have won awards: Mary Schafer: American Quilt Maker won a 2005 Michigan Notable Book award, and 37 Sketches won a 2012 New York Book Show award.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome someone of Gwen’s calibre to the Symposium,” said Mrs Traveller. “Her passion, experience, enthusiasm and creativity are legendary, and we know those who were lucky enough to secure a spot in one of her classes will love every minute of it.”

As well as offering 150 different classes for participants, the Symposium also offers the public a chance to visit two exhibition spaces and view finished artworks up close.

“We have a large exhibition open at the Great Lake Centre for 6 days, and a special exhibition by Gwen Marston at the Taupō Museum,” said Mrs Traveller.

Taupō businesses are also getting involved by including fabric artworks in shop front windows through the town centre.

The Symposium is based at Taupō Nui a Tia College, and runs from 18-23 July, and more information can be found at www.tauposymposium.co.nz, or you can follow them on Facebook.

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