NZAG Awards, Fri 1st Feb08

The New Zealand Art Guild Feb08 competition is underway and you are invited to the awards ceremony this Friday from 6:30pm at the Bruce Mason Art Centre in Takapuna, North Shore.

I managed a sneak preview of some of the other entries and it promises to be a fabulously interesting show! Exhibition entrants will be announced on Thursday but I am - somewhat optimistically perhaps - off to write my acceptance speech for the top prize, tee hee! Hope to see you there if you can make it.

"Don't miss - Opening Night and Award Ceremony for the NZAG ART AWARDS 2008. North Shore City Mayor Andrew Williams will officially open the exhibition.

When: Friday 1st Feb 6:30 pm
Where: Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland

Everyone is invited to attend what is a NZ first - a challenge based art awards. Free entry - drinks and nibbles provided."

More info here

Restitch - Sewing Skills

Restitch is a small UK company run by Mary Jo Hill which recycles unwanted adult clothes into a delightful range of children's clothing. The company is committed to producing locally made goods and helping to reduce landfill by rescuing good quality cotton and corduroy clothing that would otherwise end up there.

In a Restitch press release last year, Mary expressed her concern that many young people of current generations are growing up without the skills required for even mending clothes let alone making their own or customising shop bought items. This lack of skills gives increased power to high street companies as one of only a few means of sourcing clothing.

"...most people are unable to carry out straightforward sewing tasks like repairing tears, mending holes and following simple patterns... ...today’s consumer-driven society encourages clothes to be bought and thrown away rather than made in the home and repaired.

Hill says that unless people relearn these skills they face a world where fashion is entirely dictated by large high street retailers and people are unable to regain their individuality.

In an effort to encourage greater numbers to take up sewing, Restitch is making a selection of patterns available free on its website.
“By making these easy-to-follow patterns available free and online we are hoping to show today’s generation how easy it is to make new clothes from old or unworn ones. Every person should be able to pick up a needle and thread and sew,” says Hill."

Visit the Restitch site here / Full Press Release here