Valerie Kirk is an artist and tapestry weaver, teacher and public figure who has made a significant contribution to her discipline nationally and internationally. She studied art and design at Edinburgh College of Art, specialising in woven tapestry and fashion. As a graduate she worked in the Australian Tapestry Workshop, Melbourne and taught in communities and colleges, worked as an artist-in-residence, exhibited and lead community tapestry projects. In her studio she explores ideas about identity and belonging through drawing, collage and the tactile medium of woven tapestry. During 2004-2019 she was commissioned to design and weave six major tapestries for ANU, University House, and her work is in the National Gallery and both private and public collections.

Avi Amesbury completed a BVA Ceramics at ANU School of Art & Design and now lives and works on the Far South Coast of New South Wales. Everyday she enjoys going into her studio to explore ideas and concepts, and to work with clay. She has participated in exhibitions and festivals across Australia and overseas, including in Japan, Croatia, Scotland, Hungary, United States of America and Israel. My work is also in public and private collections and art galleries. 

Valerie Kirk invites you into her creative studio world to see work in progress – reference materials, drawings and collages taking shape, woven tapestry samples on the loom. Learn about the process of tapestry through seeing the materials and tools, talking to the artist and watching a demonstration. There will be 100 artworks on the walls, textile brooches, cards and textiles collected on educational tours to Asia for sale.

Avi Amesbury presents exhibition and production ceramics from her studio near Bermagui. She demonstrates how she works through concepts and observation to develop refined, high quality individual pieces which are exhibited nationally and internationally. There is also a range of black and white ceramics from her production range for sale on the day.

B+W Porcelain Tableware Collection (image supplied by artist)

valeriekirktapestry.com / aviamesbury.com.au

View all week two open studios.