www.handmadeincygnet.com
Handmade in Cygnet’s annual Open Studio Art Trail is now in its fourth year.
The big news this year is the launch of the Cygnet Tartan by Vicki Taiwo. “Bring Forrit the
Tartan” is the motto of the Scottish Tartan Society. Tartan has become popular as it
symbolises the spirit of family, clans and in this case district. 30 years ago, Vicki moved to
Tasmania as a weaver with a passion for natural dyeing. Over this time, she became
particularly interested in the way native plants provide a trace of place through their dyeing
qualities. This led Vicki to consider the uniqueness of the Cygnet area and how she could
portray this with colour dyes and textiles.
Vicki designed Cygnet Tartan to celebrate this environment, the blue for the sea and sky;
black and red for the swans, always in pairs; the green of the eucalyptus. The tartan is made
from Australian wool and was dyed at The Waverley Woollen Mills in Launceston.
Vicki is the founder of the Handmade in Cygnet Open Studio Art Trail and this year will be
joined by thirty new and returning local artists and makers who will again fling open the doors
of their studios and workshops on Easter Sunday and Monday and invite the public to observe
their creative practices and chat about their creative lives.
The creative community of the Cygnet area continues to grow and thrive and Handmade in
Cygnet Open Studio Art Trail offers visitors and locals alike the opportunity to discover the
area’s creative output and the ‘hidden gem’ nooks and crannies that inspire the area’s artists
and makers.
The printed trail map, including participant information, is available at Cygnet Community
HUB, Balfour House (Cygnet), Huon Valley Visitor Centre (Huonville), Geeveston Visitor Centre
and other selected outlets. An interactive trail map and full-page participant information is
online at www.handmadeincygnet.com.
Vicki Taiwo, Ginger Nutt
