Frome feltmaker invited to USA

Frome-based felt artist Gladys Paulus will be teaching her feltmaking skills in the United States next summer. 

Gladys has been teaching feltmaking to the Frome community since 2009, and was recently invited to teach two three-day mask-making masterclasses at Felters’ Fling, an eight-day event held on Snow Farm in Williamsburg, Massachusetts.

Gladys, who has been working with felt since 2005 said, “Being a relative newcomer, it’s quite an honour to be asked! It doesn’t make much sense to travel all the way for just a week, so I’m hoping to teach in venues in Michigan and Oregon,  and taking the opportunity to visit a friend as well.

“It’s been great to introduce so many local people to the ancient craft of feltmaking over the years, but at the end of last year I decided to take a break from organising workshops in Frome in order to free up some time and concentrate on developing my own work further.

“However, I didn’t expect an invitation from the US and when it came it was a bit of a shock surprise! I’ll be teaching alongside some felt artists whose work I admire very much, and I’m excited and nervous in equal measure.”

Gladys is also planning to teach in venues in her home country the Netherlands, Scotland, and  France in the coming months. 2014 has been a busy year for her, with some work touring in a felt exhibition organised by the National Centre for Craft & Design, international commissions, and her masks being used for a music video, CD cover and Harrods Magazine fashion feature. She has also been collaborating with Welsh performing arts company Citrus Arts. Examples of her work can be seen at www.gladyspaulus.co.uk

Gladys is on the lookout for a new studio in Frome; anyone with a suitable, affordable space can contact her on info@gladyspaulus.co.uk or call 01373 467884.