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Brenda Gael Smith

Contemporary Textile Art

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Workshops and Presentations with Brenda Gael Smith

Upcoming Zoom Workshops

Join me for these upcoming Zoom workshops directly hosted by me:

  • TEXTplosion Zoom #1: 6-8am Thursday 6 August (Sydney time)
  • TEXTplosion Zoom #2: 7-9pm Thursday 6 August (Sydney time)
  • Abstraction in Action: from 5am 23, 24 and 30 July; and 27 August (Sydney time)
Book your place!

Upcoming In-Person Workshops

Upcoming in-person workshops. Please contact the event organiser directly:

  • Abstraction in Action, Melbourne MQG, Saturday/Sunday 1-2 August: book online
  • Carrefour European Quilt Show, Val d’argent, France: Streamlined Dreamlines: Powerful Freeform Piecing Designs, Saturday 19 September 2026.
  • Quilt Symposium 2026: Christchurch, New Zealand 1-6 October 2026: Abstraction in Action (2 days) and Zig Zag Pizzazz (1 day) Book online.

Information for Groups & Guilds

My teaching focus is on freeform piecing, effective design and the use of colour – to promote fun and encourage creative momentum. My presentations and workshops draw upon my experience and insights as an artist, curator, judge, quilt judging educator, writer and mentor.

I am excited at how technology enables us to effectively share our creative spaces and work side-by-side no matter where we are in the world and what time zone we are in.

I offer the following workshops and programs:

  • Presentations available as live virtual programs via Zoom for up to 100 participants.
  • 3 Hour Live Interactive Workshops: optimised for learning on the Zoom platform for up to 20 students.
  • Longer Format Workshops: designed for in-person classes or multi-segment live events.

Please email me for my availability and rates. I am open to tailoring a workshop or presentation that suits your needs. View the Serendipity Student Gallery.

3 Hour Live Interactive Workshops:

The following three-hour live, interactive workshops have been developed and optimised for learning on the Zoom platform and are available for up to 20 students.

In addition, there are two multi-segment workshops that explore different aspects of abstract design. They can be taken separately or together.

  • Riffing with Repetition: Explore the power of repetition to create unity and rhythm in abstract design using YOUR preferred techniques.
  • Abstraction in Action:  Learn how to create an abstract composition drawn from reality using YOUR preferred medium and techniques. Working from a personal source of inspiration found in nature or place, students will learn the basics of abstraction through observation, reflection and repetition.

Presentations/Lectures

All presentations are available in person or as live virtual programs via Zoom:

  • 45 minute digital slide show + Q&A
  • Up to 100 participants

Longer Format Workshops

In addition to the 3-hour workshops, I offer the following longer format, in-depth workshops for both in-person and virtual events. I can tailor content and timing for your needs.

I enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of retreat and symposium-style gatherings. Past assignments include the Australasian Quilt Convention (2009, 2010,2013 and 2022), New Zealand Quilt Symposiums (2015, 2017 and 2019), AQS Quilt Week Paducah (2013), European Patchwork Meeting (2014), Pacific International Quilt Festival (2018) and Quilt Encounter (2010 and 2012).

Click on images for workshop descriptions on my main design and teaching website or download my Serendipity Patchwork & Quilting Workshops Brochure.

View the Serendipity Student Gallery.

Abstraction from Reality
Bound to Please
Bound to Please
Circular Explorations
Circular Explorations
Creating with Felt
Creating with Felt
Improvisation Plus - a serendipity workshop with Brenda Gael Smith
Improvisation Plus
Lines of Beauty
Lines of Beauty
Logs and Ladders
Logs & Ladders
Modern X
Modern X
Stacks of Improvisation
Stacks of Improvisation
Strata Various
Strata Various

I acknowledge that I live and create on the land of the Darkinjung and Guringai people and recognise their continuing connection to this place. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all First Nations people.

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Contact

Brenda Gael Smith
Contemporary Textile Art

brenda@brendagaelsmith.com

PO Box 131, Avoca Beach
NSW 2251 Australia

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Serendipity Studio News

Sign up for periodic updates from my studio - new artwork, exhibitions, workshops, tutorials and other news

On exhibition

  • 9 November 2025 – 31 January 2026 Performance Arts Culture Cessnock
    AHEAD OF THE CURVE
  • Integrifolia #3
    26 February – 1 March 2026 Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival – Hampton, Virginia
    Minimalism
Thanks to @melbmqg for hosting Abstraction in Acti Thanks to @melbmqg for hosting Abstraction in Action in Melbourne last weekend. Together we explored abstraction in concept and in practice. The resulting compositions were inspired by a range of subjects from silverware to umbrella ferns; alliums to brick walls; Melbourne skyscrapers to Egyptian ruins; artichokes to Luna Park. Such fun!

I look forward to teaching this workshop again at @quilt_symposiums_2026 There are some spaces available and I would love for you to join me!

Repost @melbmqg with @use.repost
・・・
Our MMQG group was fortunate to have Brenda Gael Smith come and spend a weekend with us, opening our minds to all the possibilities of abstraction in our textiles, art & quilting.  It was a wonderful two days of colour, shapes, lines and trying to let go of all the quilty rules we’ve been conditioned with.  Many commented on how liberating the exercises were and we look forward to seeing some of the pieces completed soon.  Thanks so much Brenda! @brendagaelsmith #abstractioninaction #textileart #modernquilting
How do you come up with new designs? My recent wor How do you come up with new designs? My recent work Elephant in the Room (40x40cm) is about difficult conversations. The underlying composition has its genesis in newspaper clippings and paper collage. It’s dynamite! 💣💥

Join me next week for my TEXTplosion Zoom Event and learn how to harness the power of paper collage to generate abstract designs. This 2-hour introductory presentation explores: fragmenting text; isolating and highlighting areas of interest; playing with enlargement, exaggeration and distortion; coalescing lines and shapes; converting 2-tone designs into colour; and digital tools. 

There are two session times on Thursday 6 August Sydney time.  Zoom #1 is in Wednesday afternoon US/Canada time and Zoom #2 is on Thursday morning UK/Europe time.

Booking link in my profile. I will share a set of resources and the recording will be available for 30 days. 💣💥

#TEXTplosion! #brendagaelsmithworkshop
Join me on Zoom for TEXTplosion! Book online for: Join me on Zoom for TEXTplosion! Book online for:

 💣 TEXTplosion Zoom 1: 6-8am Thursday 6 August (Sydney time)
 💣TEXTplosion Zoom 2: 7-9pm Thursday 6 August (Sydney time)

Harness the power of paper collage to generate abstract designs. This 2-hour introductory presentation explores: fragmenting text; isolating and highlighting areas of interest; playing with enlargement, exaggeration and distortion; coalescing lines and shapes; converting 2-tone designs into colour; and digital tools. Zoom 1 is in Wednesday afternoon US/Canada time and Zoom 2 is on Thursday morning UK/Europe time. Includes 30 day access to the recording.

#brendagaelsmithworkshop #learnwithbrenda
Thanks to @peppermintpatcher and @the.skyelife for Thanks to @peppermintpatcher and @the.skyelife for sending me photos from “Opposites”, the @saqaart Oceania Regional exhibition currently on display at the Craft & Quilt Fair at Darling Harbour in Sydney until tomorrow afternoon (Saturday 18 July).

Night and day are often framed as opposites: darkness and light, moonlight and sunshine, rest and activity, asleep and awake. However, night and day can also be viewed as interdependent forces in a continuous cycle. Each defines and deepens the other. Day brings outward motion, visibility and engagement, while night offers inwardness, reflection and renewal. Together they create a
rhythm of life. Night and day function as a continuous pulse,reminding us that balance is not found in opposition but in the steady movement between them. 

#brendagaelsmithart #nightandday

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