Holiday opportunity for young Whanganui fibre artists

Susan Shand is hoping to encourage young talent with school holiday felting workshops. Photo/Bevan Conley

Whanganui is something of a destination for fibre arts enthusiasts and one local artist is offering to pass her skills to the next generation.

Felt-maker Susan Shand is offering two school holiday workshops for young learners at the YMCA tomorrow and says she is certain to discover some talent.

"It is such a satisfying activity and children will take home their own place mat or bunting at the end of the workshops."

Shand holds workshops for older students in her Felted studio at the old Chronicle Building on the corner of Rutland St and Drews Ave where she shares the space with her nephew Jack Mitchell-Anyon's cafe and gallery, an arrangement that works well she says.

The glassed-in space was once the office of the Wanganui Chronicle secretary and Shand says it provides wonderful light for her to work in.

"People love this environment and sometimes customers in the cafe see me working in here and want to come and join me."

Shand recently held Whanganui Artists Open Studios workshops in her studio with fellow artists Alice McDonald and Nicola Van Weersal.

"We had a lot of visitors and we really enjoyed it," she says.

"Adult learners work well in this space but I thought the YMCA would be a better space for children because they like to move around a lot."

Felting is an art form she learned more than 30 years ago and pursued as a hobby while raising her children and working as an early childhood teacher.

"It has now become my work and I love it - there is always something new to learn and I feel like I'm still developing my skill."

Shand will run two workshops tomorrow, the first from 9am-12pm and the other from 1-4pm.

"The recommended age is 9 but some parents will know their younger children will be able to participate."

The workshop cost is $25 and parents wanting register should contact Susan Shand at susanshand@gmail.com or phone her on 0212626919.