Our next Arts on Site workshop draws inspiration from the thylacines—many hidden in plain sight—featured in the exhibition Gentle Protagonist: Art of Michael McWilliams.
About the workshop
Led by felt artist Melinda Hill, this two-day workshop invites you to recreate the extinct thylacine using needle felting techniques while exploring McWilliams’ captivating works.
Workshop highlights
Day 1: Saturday 22 February, 10am-3pm
- Begin with an exclusive tour of the first public exhibition of the acclaimed Tasmanian artist, Michael McWilliams. As you wander through the gallery space, uncover the many thylacines hidden within the iconic artworks and take note of their physiology, expressions and presence.
- Return to the Creativity Centre to learn the foundations of needle felting with Melinda, creating a base structure for your thylacine using wire and wool.
Day 2: Sunday 23 February, 10am-3pm
- Rejoin your fellow workshop attendees to bring your creation to life by completing the body of your thylacine.
- Revisit the exhibition to connect with the spirit of the thylacines—are they observing you or looking away? Reflect on your role and perspective as a viewer, and consider your relationship to the artwork.
- Return to the Creativity Centre to infuse your felted thylacine with emotion and expression, refining your creation to take home as a unique piece of art.
This workshop offers an enriching opportunity to develop your needle-felting skills while gaining a deeper appreciation of Michael McWilliams’ art. Join us and ignite your imagination, giving new spirit to the thylacine in this engaging and reflective workshop.
About the workshop
- This 2-day workshop is suitable for adults [18+] with some experience in needle felting and are curious to explore art and develop their skills.
- Participants must attend both sessions to complete their thylacine.
- The registration fee includes all materials.
- The workshop's location is the Queen Victoria Art Gallery at Royal Park, 2 Wellington Street, Launceston.
About the artist
Melinda Hill
Inspired by a profound love of animals, Melinda began needle felting in 2022 and she has been felting every day since. She found the technique to be highly therapeutic and quickly developed a passion for creating and working with wool. As her skills advanced, her creations became remarkably lifelike, leading her to sell them at local markets and online.
Her artistic style blends realism with whimsy, capturing the inquisitive and soulful expressions of the animals she sculpts. For Melinda, there is nothing more gratifying than witnessing an animal 'come to life' from the wool.
About the exhibition
Gentle Protagonist: Art of Michael McWilliams
QVMAG presents the first-ever public exhibition of the works of much-loved Tasmanian artist, Michael McWilliams.
McWilliams is one of Australia’s most successful and widely recognised artists. His quirky and whimsical landscapes, depicting wildlife and domestic and feral species in Tasmanian bushland, farmyards, gardens, and houses, have captivated audiences around Australia and internationally. His works project a great affection for his subjects and, while often humorous, can also carry a darker observation on human effects on the environment.
The exhibition is the first holistic survey of McWilliams’ art, exploring his life and career, his place in the canon of Australian and international art, and his empathy with the wildlife and natural environment of Tasmania. This is a must-see experience for all Tasmanians and anyone who loves the Tasmanian countryside. But be prepared to be watched.
Gentle Protagonist: Art of Michael McWilliams
Art Gallery at Royal Park | 2 Wellington St, Launceston
14 December 2024 — 23 March 2025
Free entry | Open daily | 10am to 4pm | January 10 am-5pm
About QVMAG's Arts on Site program
Our ongoing series will immerse you in a vibrant blend of art techniques, taking inspiration from our current exhibitions and with expert guidance from our passionate facilitators.
With monthly workshops held across our two sites at the Queen Victoria Art Gallery at Royal Park and the Museum at Inveresk, participants can explore photography, sketching, drawing, watercolour painting, oil painting, textile design, and interior design.
Arts on Site provides the perfect opportunity for seasoned artists and curious beginners alike to elevate your artistic skills and connect with a community of creators.
Find out more about this exciting series at www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Arts-on-Site