About
Gallery76 is proud to present Threading Lightly, an exhibition and events programme exploring sustainable textile and fibre art.

EXHIBITION
30 May – 28 July 2025
Featuring 25 incredible Australian and international contemporary artists working at the intersection of innovation, creativity and environmental consciousness. Their artworks all 'thread lightly' on our planet, being made of at least 75% sustainable materials. Also included in the exhibition will be pieces from the collection of the Embroiderers' Guild NSW which illustrate the history of eco-friendly practices in textiles. Open weekdays 9-4 / weekends 10-2. Free entry.

EXHIBITION OPENING: Threading Lightly
Saturday, 31 May, 4pm-5.30pm
Join us to celebrate the opening! The exhibition will be officially opened by our special guest, Dr Alison Gwilt, Professor of Design, UNSW Art & Design.

PANEL DISCUSSION: From Waste to Wonder - The Creative Potential of Discarded Materials
Saturday, 21 June, 2.30pm-3.30pm
From $15 + booking fee
This panel will explore how discarded textiles and fibres, often seen as waste, can be transformed into compelling, sustainable artworks. By examining the emotional, historical, and ethical dimensions of repurposed materials, we will discuss how artists can reimagine waste and create works that hold meaning, challenge perceptions, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Alana Clifton-Cunningham, Lecturer at UNSW, will facilitate a discussion with panelists:
- Rachael Cassar - a researcher and designer at the University of Technology Sydney, specialising in sustainable fashion practices.
- Brook Morgan - a contemporary artist, maker, and arts educator. She is the Special Collections and Experiential Learning Coordinator at UNSW Library.
- Catriona Pollard - a contemporary artist who uses transforms foraged fibres and recycled metals into sculptures which investigate human connection with the natural world.

TALK: The Importance of Darning Samplers with Alison Snepp
Saturday, 28 June, 3pm-4.30pm
From $15 + booking fee
Darning Samplers are the epitome of Threading Lightly.  Today we see them as historical embroideries worked by skilled teenagers, but this is just the surface of the subject.  This talk will explore the diversity of different types of these intricate samplers while putting them in the context of their time and bringing the relevance right up to today. Alison Snepp has been a professional embroiderer since 1981. Her passion for embroidery has seen her teach it extensively, study in significant museum and private collections, lecture on many related topics and author seven books. Her love for embroidery has even seen her organise and lead a small embroidery tour to England.

PLAYDATE: Raiding the Pantry with Judith Burns
Tuesday, 15 July, 10am-1pm
Come prepared for playtime! Enjoy a fun morning experimenting with ways to repurpose common foil packaging items, such as coffee pods and tomato paste tubes, to add some bling to your stitching. Essential materials will be supplied, but we will also welcome contributions from participants - a list of common pantry and sewing stash items will be distributed in advance. A $5 cash contribution on the day is appreciated.

JUNIOR STITCHERS WORKSHOP: Sports Bag
Thursday, 17 July, 10am-2.30pm
From $50
This school holidays session is designed for children aged 5-16 years, who will make their own Organic Cotton Sports Bag to take home. All workshop materials provided, but children should bring their own lunch and drink. (To book using a NSW Creative Kids Voucher, please phone 9743 2501.)

Get directions

Gallery76 @ Embroiderers' Guild NSW
76 Queen St, Concord West NSW 2138

Contact Event Organiser