ATASDA - Australian Textile Art Surface Design Association
In 2020 I took on the job of re-establishing the Victorian group after a hiatus of 20 odd years of its presence being missed. With January meetings at the National Gallery of Victoria we kicked off each year coming together to build friendships, explore exhibitions and plan events for the coming year. 2021 Covid hit, tilting everything off balance. We learned the intricacies of zoom meetings where we could still come together without leaving home. We shared the pieces we were working on and for a time, banished the loneliness we felt at being locked down. Time slowed down immeasurably.
2022, when we were allowed out again, it seemed that time sped up and we were running to keep up with plans, catchups, classes, some zoom meetings, our first retreat at the old Lock Hospital, now a craft retreat and generally continuing to build our group. More people joined, our skills base grew and we became a richly divergent, amazingly talented group of women, passionate about their creativity.
2023. A very busy year with classes, NGV meeting to see the Alexander Mc Queen exhibition in January, Craft and Quilt Fair in July, our Loch retreat again in August and our Connections Pop up Exhibition and gallery in September. Lots of new members, fun, learning and community.
I stepped down as leader after the 3 years, leaving the direction finding to another amazing artist who will lead us on for the next three years. Bring it on!
ATASDA Members and their works at the Mt Evelyn Makers Day 2023:
