Adult Art Class: Tapestry Weaving
with Terry Dunne

Expert weaver Terry Dunne will lead a full day workshop in the art of tapestry weaving. This special workshop coincides with Tony and Jane O’Malley The Shared Studio, a building-wide exhibition which includes the installation of Jane's loom holding her final tapestry, still unfinished. Terry was commissioned by Tony and Jane to weave their paintings as tapestries, with the first commission of five of Tony's paintings in 1983, giving him unique insight into the artform and translation of the O'Malley's paintings to tapestry pieces. 

• Participants will learn how to set up a warp for tapestry weaving on a small frame.
• Weaving techniques of colour blending and hatching as well as weaving shapes and curves will be covered.
• A sample piece will be completed by each participan on the day to take home with you.
• All materials and equipment will be provided on the day.
• Participants should bring a notebook and pen.

About the artist:

Terry Dunne was born and educated in Dublin and now lives and works in Wexford. He is affectionately referred to as Terry The Weaver throughout much of Ireland having built his reputation by working on many commissions for tapestries, rugs and woven art pieces.

He graduated from Dun Laoghaire Art School in Dublin and further honed his weaving skills at Kilworth craft workshops in Cork. Terry was awarded the Sir Alfred Beit award in 1980 and in subsequent years received National Craft Awards in Ireland in 2002, 2008 and 2010, as well as a Crafts Council Bursary in 2009 to develop his practice.

Terry has completed many tapestry commissions over his forty year career, many for corporate collections as well as churches, hospitals and a cathedral. He has been a member of Contemporary tapestry artists Ireland as well as Interconnections and The Timelines tapestry group

Terry has taken part in many touring exhibitions, exhibiting throughout Ireland, USA, UK and France.

His work is always inspired by nature and he is always looking to find new materials not usually found in woven art pieces. Such found materials include tree bark, willow, driftwood, paper, pine needles and palm fibres amongst others.