Colac Makers' Space Inc.

05/06/2026

Call out for RED patterned FABRIC OFFCUTS suitable for collage.

Please leave your donations at the Makers Space in the bag provided.

Many Thanks

02/06/2026

Calling all artists, makers, performers, arts organisations and creative community members in Colac and surrounds.

Recent discussions about COPACC have highlighted the need for a stronger way for our arts community to connect, collaborate, share expertise and have a collective voice.

Join a facilitated conversation to explore the possibility of forming a Colac Arts Network and discuss other issues and opportunities across the sector.

📅 Sunday 28 June
🕑 2.00–5.00pm
📍 Kanyana, 55 Hesse Street, Colac

Facilitated by Liz Bishop, Investing in Rural Futures Community Facilitator (FRRR).

Please bring a plate to share for afternoon tea.

Please RSVP to Liz at [email protected]

Feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested.

31/05/2026

CrossXpollinatioN started back in 2016 as a fun, experimental textile project bringing artists, makers and community members together through fibre, thread and shared making. What began as a simple idea has grown into a much-loved program built on connection, collaboration and the joy of making things together.

Over the years it has taken on a life of its own, with each iteration layering new works, new people and new stories into the mix. The installations have become rich, immersive spaces where individual pieces sit alongside large collaborative works, creating something far greater than the sum of their parts.

One of the real highlights has always been the involvement of local schools and community groups. **St Mary's students participated in almost every school outreach program led by Veronica Phillips**, embracing opportunities to create, explore and engage with contemporary textile art. Many locals will remember the year the foyer was filled with hundreds of little birds made by students—a joyful installation bursting with colour and personality. CrossXpollination also became a regular part of the school's art program, with students able to walk from St Mary's to the various exhibition venues and back again, visiting almost every exhibition as part of their annual art excursions.

The exhibitions also attracted regular visits from residents of Mercy Place Colac, who enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the artworks, participate in conversations around creativity and share in the social connection that the program fostered. These visits became another important thread in CrossXpollination's story, reflecting its ability to bring together people of all ages through a shared appreciation of art and making.

At COPACC, CrossXpollination has sat within a wider celebration of textile and fibre arts, alongside exhibitions, workshops, installations and art prizes that invited people not only to look, but also to participate.

There won't be a CrossXpollination program this year, and its future now depends on the local arts community coming together to do the planning, fundraising and organising needed for it to return in 2028. For many in Colac, the project has left a lasting legacy of creativity, collaboration and community connection that would be wonderful to see continue.

31/05/2026

OFF AND CROSS | JULY 2026

Textile art is returning to Colac this July.

While CrossXpollinatioN is taking a break in 2026, local artists, makers and community members are coming together to keep the creative spirit alive through OFF AND CROSS — a month-long celebration of textiles, creativity and connection.

Discover exhibitions and installations throughout Colac, including works at the Makers Space, Tarndie, Colac Unearthed and participating Murray Street shop windows.

Look out too for *Seeing Red*, a collaborative community textile project inviting people of all ages to contribute to a striking public artwork.

More details, venues and events coming soon.

26/05/2026

Last chance to book for this fun workshop - this Saturday!

Leather Journal Workshop Saturday 30 May.
This is what you will make. Link to booking details are in the comments

25/05/2026

Here is another example of the technique we will be exploring this Sunday at the Makers Shed.

Heather used combungi. If participants have collected their own combungi it will need to be wetted and then wrapped in a  damp towel the day before to mellow.

24/05/2026

Drawing from life is on today at the Makers Space from 10am and Natural Dyeing at the Shed from 1.30pm

23/05/2026

SEEING RED

Who said rock songs can’t be about the menopause 🎸💥 No...