Brenda Gael Smith

Contemporary Textile Art

Resume of Brenda Gael Smith

artist, curator, teacher, mentor, writer & judge

Solo Exhibitions

  • 13 January – 14 February 2018: Natural Abstractions: Gosford Regional Gallery
  • 25 November – 20 December 2014: Dreaming in Colour: Grenfell Art Gallery

Juried Exhibitions

2025

  • Art Quilt Australia 2025: Approaching Equinox: Plundering Joy
  • Golden Textures 2025: Forza Vitale: Phosphorescence

2024

  • The New Quilt 2024: Forza Vitale: Breathe

2023

  • Art Quilt Australia 2023: Banksia Filigree
  • Minimalism: SAQA global exhibition Integrifolia #3: Stops & Starts

2022

  • Gosford Art Prize 2022: Banksia Filigree
  • Australia Wide Eight: a travelling exhibition of Ozquilt Network Inc Calliestemon Cascade
  • Dare to Differ 2022: Landlines: Canola Country
  • Fur Fangs Feathers & Fins: SAQA global exhibition Galah Gala
  • PETITE Miniature TEXTILES 2022: Wangaratta Art Gallery, Victoria Integrifolia #9: Wide Open

2021

  • Quilts=Art=Quilts 2021: Schweinfurth Arts Center, NY Acuity #5: Zemblanity
  •  One Step Further 2020 (exhibited in 2021): Integrifolia #6: Awakening
  • 2021 Quilts Unlimited: View Centre of the Arts & Culture (Juror Invitational) Integrifolia #3: Stops & Starts
  • Art Quilt Australia 2021: Shoalhaven Regional Gallery and Yarra Ranges Regional Museum Reforestation
  • The New Quilt 2021: Hawkesbury Regional Gallery Acuity #5: Zemblanity and Integrifolia #7: Emergence

2020

  • Revealed-the Regional Digitisation Roadshow: Wangaratta Art Gallery High Country Lupins #2
  • Quilts=Art=Quilts 2020: Schweinfurth Arts Center, NY Flotsam & Jetsam
  • Gosford Art Prize 2020: Integrifolia #5: Propagation
  • Australia Wide Seven (2020-2022): a travelling exhibition of Ozquilt Network Inc – Acuity #6: In a Twinkling of an Eye
  • PETITE Miniature TEXTILES 2020: Wangaratta Art Gallery, Victoria – Allagai: High Summer and Allagai: Suspended
  • Australian Textile Art Award 2020: Canola Country
  • Art Quilt Australia 2019 at Yarra Ranges Regional Museum: Integrifolia #5: Propagation

2019

  • Quilts=Art=Quilts 2019: Schweinfurth Arts Center, NY Integrifolia #3: Stops & Starts
  • Gosford Art Prize 2019: Integrifolia #4: Potential
  • Art Quilt Australia 2019: Integrifolia #5: Propagation
  • Modern Quilt Show Australia 2019: Harlequin Hexagons and Integrifolia #4: Potential
  • Dare to Differ 2019: Flotsam & Jetsam
  • One Step Further 2019: Landlines: Hill Country
  • Sydney Quilt Show 2019: Special exhibitor
  • Connections: SAQA Regional Exhibition: Big Data: Contraflow
  • Golden Textures 2019:  Central Gold Fields Art Gallery, Maryborough, Victoria Integrifolia #3: Stops & Starts
  • Season After Season: SAQA global exhibition Seachange: Whale Tracks

2018

2017

2016

  • Australia Wide Five (2016-2018): a travelling exhibition of Ozquilt Network Inc – Dyad #3: Leaning In
  • Modern Quilt Show Australia 2016: Secret Women’s Business – Only Women Bleed
  • Gallery Collection in Miniature: Wangaratta Art Gallery High Country Lupins #2
  • PETITE Miniature TEXTILES 2016: Wangaratta Art Gallery, Victoria – Dyad#2 and Wild Lupins #3
  • Art Quilt Elements 2016 Wayne Art Center, Pennsylvania, USA, High Country Lupins #3
  • Golden Textures at Quilt Expo at Beaujolais Dreamlines #5

2015

  • Tasmanian Art Quilt Prize 2015 History, Her Story:  Secret Women’s Business – Only Women Bleed
  • 2015 China International Patchwork Invitational Tournament and Patchwork Arts Show in Beijing, China.
  • Art Quilt Australia 2015: National Wool Museum, Geelong: Flying Colours: Galah Gala and Wild Lupins #2
  • Dare to Differ 2015:  Gallery M,  Adelaide: Kelp Forest and Landlines: A River Runs Through It
  • Gosford Art Prize 2015 Finalist: Gosford Regional Regional Gallery –  Forest and Tundra
  • Evolution, Change, Challenge: A Contemporary Quilt at Hazelhurst Gallery
  • Golden Textures of Australia at Festival of Quilts, Birmingham
  • Reconciliation 2015: Gosford Regional Art Gallery: Canberra:Meeting Place
  • Golden Textures 2015  Contemporary Art Quilt Exhibition, Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough, Victoria – High Country Lupins #3

2014

  • Quilts=Art=Quilts 2014, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY: Desert Tracks: Not Terra Nullius
  • Australia Wide Four (2014-2016): a travelling exhibition of Ozquilt Network Inc – Neptune’s Necklace #2
  • Progressions 2014: Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery: Tundra and Forest
  • Australia Quilts:  European Patchwork Meeting 2014 guest country exhibition
  • Reconciliation 2014: Gosford Regional Art Gallery: Desert Tracks: Not Terra Nullius
  • PETITE Miniature TEXTILES 2014: Wangaratta exhibitions Gallery, Victoria – High Country Lupins #2
  • AQC Challenge 2014: Ten: The X Factor

2013

  • Art Quilt Australia 2013: People Place & Nation: CraftACT, Canberra: Desert Tracks: Not Terra Nullius and Canberra: Meeting Place;
  • Brother International Quilting Contest 2013 – Eco Challenge:  Forest;
  • Dare to Differ 2013:  Gallery M,  Adelaide: Flying Colours: Eclectus Parrots and Tundra;
  • FREE – AQC Challenge 2013: Flying Colours:  Uncaged
  • Golden Textures Contemporary Art Quilt Exhibition, Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough, Victoria April 2013 – Dreamlines #5;

2012

  • Australia Wide Three (2012-2014): a travelling exhibition of Ozquilt Network Inc –Wild Lupins and Flying Colours: Crimson Rosella;
  • Gosford Art Prize 2012 Finalist: Gosford Regional Regional Gallery –  Hope, Promise, Bounty: Reap What You Sew;
  • PETITE Miniature TEXTILES 2012: Wangaratta exhibitions Gallery, Victoria – Pyrenees #3, Poppy Field
  • Regeneration: Contemporary Quilt Textiles 2012: Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Sydney, Regrowth and Hope, Promise, Bounty: Reap What You Sew;
  • Selections from the Del Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection 2012: Visions Art Gallery, San Diego, Evergreen

2008-2011

  • Dare to Differ 2011: Gallery M – Marion Cultural Centre, Desire Lines#5: After the Rain and Turf
  • Seven Deadly Sins – AP&Q AQC Challenge 2011: Desire Lines #7: Lust in the Log Cabin
  • One Step Further 2010: Whitehorse Art Space, Box Hill, Victoria – Desire Lines#6: Spark! and Shining Through
  • Australia Wide Two (2010-2012):a travelling exhibition of Ozquilt Network Inc – Tussock
  • The New Quilt 2010: Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Sydney, New South Wales Desire Lines#5: After the Rain and Turf
  • PETITE Miniature TEXTILES 2010: Wangaratta exhibitions Gallery, Victoria – Milk Chocolate
  • Remember – AP&Q AQC Challenge 2010: Timelines #1: Remember the Date!
  • One Step Further 2009: Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Victoria Desire Lines #3: Running Hot & Cold
  • Fantasy – AP&Q AQC Challenge 2009: Dreamlines #1: Magic Carpet 
  • Re-fabricating Environments 2008: Braemar Gallery, Springwood NSW – Afterglow and Acacia Bloom
  • Dare to Differ 2008: Prospect Gallery, Adelaide, SA – Grass 
  • My Place travelling exhibition (2008-2010): Tudibaring – Place where the waves pound like a beating heart.

Special Projects

Twelve by Twelve International Exhibition Program

  • Twelve by Twelve:The BOOK!April 2010Australasian Quilt Convention, Melbourne, Australia
  • May 2010 Gosford Regional Gallery, NSW Australia
  • June 2010 Textile Art Festival, Brisbane, Queensland
  • September 2010 Craft & Quilt Fair, Hamilton, New Zealand
  • September 2010 Craft & Quilt Fair, Christchurch, NZ
  • April 2011 Midsomer Quilting, Chilcompton, UK
  • August 2011 Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, UK
  • November 2011 International Quilt Festival, Houston, USA
  • April 2012 International Quilt Festival, Cincinnati, USA
  • July 2012 International Quilt Festival, Long Beach, USA
  • September 2012 North West Quilting Expo, Portland, Oregon, USA
  • February 2012 Craft & Quilt Fair, Palmerston North, New Zealand (Colourplay)
  • April 2013 Australasian Quilt Convention. Melbourne, Australia (Colourplay)
  • May 2012 Pinnacles Gallery, Townsville Australia (Colourplay)
  • July 2013 Midsomer Quilting, Chilcompton, UK (Colourplay)
  • August 2013 AQS Quilt Show, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA (Colourplay)
  • September 2013 North West Quilting Expo, Portland, Oregon, USA (2012 Series)
  • October 2013 AQS Quilt Show, Des Moines, Iowa, USA (Colourplay)
  • September 2014 European Patchwork Meeting/Carrefour Européen du Patchwork (Colourplay)
  • October 2014 Association Belge du Patchwork exhibition (Colourplay)

Selected Bibliography & Videography

Modern Quilts: Improvising Using Stacks of Solids

  • Quilting Arts magazine (February-March 2012) celebrates art quilt collaboration and includes an in-depth Q&A article about the Twelve by Twelve project.
  • Patchwork- und Quiltjournal (February 2012) celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special edition. It includes an article about the Twelve by Twelve exhibition of the Theme Series at Festival of Quilts in Birmingham in 2011.
  • More than thirty projects in Australian magazines such as Australian Patchwork & Quilting, Down Under Quilts, Quilters Companion, Down Under Textiles, Australian Homespun and Australian Country Craft
  • Four Fantastic Quilt Finishing Techniques, instructional DVD and article Quilters Companion, May 2009.
  • Meet A Quilter Profiles, Down Under Quilts, March 2006 & Homespun, October 2008.
  • By the Dozen, profile of the Twelve by Twelve Collaborative Art Quilt Project, Quilters Companion, November 2008.
  • Global Quilting, profile of the Twelve by Twelve Collaborative Art Quilt Project, Down Under Quilts, November 2008.

500 Art Quilts  1000 Artisan Textiles  DUQ Cover Issue 94 (March 2006)

Prizes & Awards

  • 2024: Forza Vitale: Phosphorescence Third Prize: Modern Quilt (Negative Space) QuiltNSW Sydney Quilt Show
  • 2023: Iconic Inflorescence Second Prize: Modern Quilt (Negative Space) QuiltNSW Sydney Quilt Show
  • October 2022: Integrifolia #6: Awakening Modern Quilt category, Sydney Quilt Show 2022
  • July 2019:  Integrifolia #4: Potential First Prize: Small Quilt category Modern Quilt Show Australia 2019
  • June 2019: Integrifolia #3: Stops & Starts Judges Commendation Modern (Open) category Sydney Quilt Show 2019
  • June 2018: High Country Lupins #5 Judges Commendation Art Quilt (Open) category Sydney Quilt Show 2018
  • November 2017: Blue Delphiniums 2nd Prize Small Quilt Modern Quilt Show Australia 2017
  • June 2017: Landlines: Tussock Country  Judges’ Commendation, Art Quilt (Open) Category Sydney Quilt Show
  • August 2015: Flying Colours: Galah Gala Third Prize Wall Quilt (Professional) and High Country Lupins #3 Judges Commendation Art Quilt (Open) category, Canberra Quilters Exhibition.
  • June 2015: Dreamlines #7:  Dreaming in Colour Third  prize, Small/Wall Quilt (Professional ) category, Sydney Quilt Show.
  • September 2013: Flying Colours: Eclectus Parrots Second prize, Art Quilt (Open) category, Canberra Quilters Exhibition.
  • August 2011:  Lorikeet – Dreaming First prize, Tiny Treasures, Canberra Quilters Exhibition.
  • June 2009:  Dreamlines #3  – First prize, Art Quilt (Open) Sydney Quilt Show
  • June 2009: Savannah -First prize New Traditions from Old Favourites
  • September 2009:  Acacia Bloom– Second Prize Art/Pictorial Category Australian Machine Quilters Association Show
  • August 2009: Rose Moderne – Third prize, Tiny Treasures Canberra Quilters Exhibition
  • August 2008: Acacia Bloom –  1st prize, Mixed Media Quilt (Open), Canberra Quilters’ Exhibition
  • June 2006: Making Waves –  1st prize, New Interpretations of a Traditional Block (Amateur), Sydney Quilt Show

Training

  • Creative Skills Certificate – Patchwork & Quilting 7802-10, The City & Guilds of London Institute (July 2004).
  • Judging Skills Certificate awarded by Jeannie Spears, NQACJ (November 2007).
  • QuiltNSW Judging Education Pilot Program (2014-date)

Judging & Jurying Assignments

  • 2025: Kuwait Textile Arts Association – solo judge
  • 2025: Aotearoa Quilters Great New Zealand Quilt Show – co-juror and co-judge
  • 2021: Quilts Unlimited 2021 at VIEW Center of the Arts & Culture NY – juror of selection
  • 2019: Quilts Across Queensland (EKKA)
  • 2018 Pacific International Quilt Festival – Mid-Century Mod and Wearable Art competitions
  • 2018 State of the Art Quilt (Queensland) – solo juror
  • 2017 National Quilt Symposium, Christchurch, New Zealand – chief judge and juror
  • 2016 Festival of Quilts, The Quilters’ Guild of South Australia Inc
  • 2014 Sydney Quilt Show, The Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc
  • 2014 QuiltWest, The West Australian Quilters Association Inc
  • 2013 Festival of Quilts, Auckland Quilt Guild
  • 2012 Pearl Challenge, 30th anniversary challenge of The Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc
  • 2010 Quilters Showcase, Victorian Quilters Inc

Memberships & Associations

  • QuiltNSW – Exhibition Secretary (2005-2007), Sponsorship & Publicity (2010), Webmaster and Quilt Show Subcommittee (2005-2023); and Convenor, Judging Education Program (2015-date). Awarded life membership 2016.
  • Ozquilt Network Inc – Secretary (2008-2010), Website Subcommittee (2007-date) and Exhibition Subcommittee (2015-date).
  • Modern Quilt Guild (2015-date)
  • Studio Art Quilts Associates

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