Frequently Asked Questions

This 5-day creative residential workshop is a memorable, life-affirming artist’s retreat.

This event is ideal for:

Artists of all skill levels who would like to focus on learning from the best, the most popular and the most interesting artists and craftsmen from around the world
Hobbyists who want to chill out with interesting and like-minded people while learning something inspirational and creative

No matter where you come from, you’ll find the venue and the ambience at a Fibre Arts Australia event just fabulous!

The week is FABULOUS!! With only adults attending, it is a time when we are all ready for a week of learning and creative inspiration!

You’ll finally get the time to focus on your project without distractions, and you’ll love being supported by an incredible community of professional and amateur artists.

Glenys Mann, Founder of Fibre Arts Australia, together with her business partner Nonie Sutcliffe run all events. Glenys and Nonie are onsite and available at every event.

Belinda Gonsalves, Ginnie Dawson, Angie Truscott and Zoe Ferguson make up the rest of the team that supports Glenys and Nonie during the events.

Fibre Arts Australia hosts six events per year, three in Ballarat and three in Toowoomba.
Workshops venues are Ballarat Grammar and The Glennie School.

Both venues offer boarding facilities, an industrial kitchen with our own chef and spacious workshop areas.

Workshops are open to students between 7am and 9pm daily, with tutors available in the classroom between 9am and 4 pm.

Every day and evening offers something different, including exhibitions, slide show presentations from tutors, a raffle, a formal evening and even an auction. You can choose to do as little or as much as you like.

The general daily routine is as follows:

• 7am to 9am: Breakfast in the Dining Hall
• 10.30am: Morning Tea in the traders area
• 12.45 – 1.30pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall
• 3pm: Afternoon Tea in the traders area
• 5pm: Happy Hour in the Dining Hall
• 5.45: Dinner in the Dining Hall, followed by slide shows

Tea and coffee stations are always available. A detailed itinerary will be sent to you prior to your event.

To get to Ballarat Grammar it is an easy 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne. If you are flying in, arrive at Tullamarine airport, Melbourne and catch an Airport Shuttle bus to Ballarat. These buses leave every hour.

If you are attending the Toowoomba event, it is an easy 1.5 hour drive from Brisbane. If you are flying, fly to Brisbane airport and get a shuttle to Toowoomba and we will collect you.

We supply all accommodation and meals whilst you are at a Fibre Arts Australia event if you want to live-in.

You can also choose to be a Day student and find your own accommodation.

The rooms are very comfortable and you can choose single or twin share. The Toowoomba venue offers semi-private rooms, which simply means that the walls for your room are not fully enclosed.

All linen and bedding is provided, but you will need to bring your own pillow.

There is ample parking on site.

Ground floor accommodation is available upon request and our friendly staff are willing and able to help with your luggage.

Each of our venues has a professional kitchen and chef to cater for all dietary requirements.
Please ensure you communicate any special requirements on the enrolment for or email Nonie at: nonie@fibrearts.net.au.

The facilities at the school are modern and spacious. Each venue has a dedicated arts centre, where most of the workshops are held.

You will be sent a requirements list for your workshop after enrolment. This is concise and allows you to carry a lot or a little!

Sometimes the tutor needs to supply specialised materials for the class to use. The cost for this is spread amongst the students and paid back to the tutor or Fibre Arts Australia if bulk supplies are necessary.

Normally 10 minimum and a maximum of 15 students attend each Fibre Arts Australia workshop.

Yes! Specialist textile and book traders at Fibre Arts events provide an opportunity to purchase or order textile supplies. They usually have EFTPOS facilities available.

Tutors and students will have the opportunity to sell their own work on the first and last night during the event. Only handmade products are to be sold, or publications of your own work, ie. books, DVDs. Pop up shops are free. Contact us to book! It is a great place to show everyone what you make.

Fibre Arts Australia created The India Project to provide clean drinking water and other essentials to the marginalised Bajanya community in India. To find out more, click here.

For years now, Fibre Arts has been hosting two ‘compact’ exhibitions, displaying and selling 10×10’s and 15×15 artworks in any medium. Artists are invited to donate or purchase artworks, with funds raised going towards The India Project.

Other fundraising opportunities throughout the event include a raffle and auction on the last evening of each event.

Each year, Fibre Arts Australia offers financial support to students who may be going through difficult personal or financial hardships. If you or someone you know from our community needs some support, please let us know.

Absolutely! A Fibre Arts Australia gift voucher is a thoughtful present and is always well received by loved ones. Please contact Nonie at nonie@fibrearts.net.au to arrange something special.

Fibre Arts Australia’s liquor license is not covered for BYO. A small bar offering wine and soft drink is open between 5pm – 8pm daily.