Welcome to the Artisan hub -
Where Creativity Comes Alive!
A celebration of local craft and creativity
The Artisan Tent was first presented at the 2023 Bellingen Show. This year we are delighted to bring back this popular attraction, but not in a tent this time!
Welcome to the Artisan Hub, which you will find in the secure, all weather Luncheon Booth. This thoughtfully curated space promises a concentrated experience of creativity and craftsmanship and represents the heart of our community's creative spirit - where traditional crafts and skills are shared and where the joy of making things by hand is celebrated.
The Artisan Hub provides the opportunity for you to connect directly with our local artists in a unique setting - creating moments for conversation and connection, asking questions, observing techniques up close, and gaining insights into each artist's creative process.
Dorrigo Plateau Fibre Group
Since the late 1990s, this passionate collective has been keeping traditional fibre arts alive and thriving!
The Dorrigo Plateau Fibre Group brings together makers from diverse fibre modalities: Spinners & weavers, Eco dyers , Knitters & crocheters, Felters & milliners and so much more!
Their weekly meet-ups are engaging, collaborative occasions where members share experience and expertise with each other - and warmly welcome newcomers who wish to learn. This is skill-sharing and community creativity at its finest!
At the Artisan Tent, they'll demonstrate spinning, weaving, dyeing, felting and needlework - including their impressive Viking Loom in action.
Affiliated with the Spinners and Weavers Guild of NSW, this group embodies the heart of traditional craft and inter-generational knowledge sharing.
Briony Magoffin, Paper Daisy Lino Cuts
Meet Briony, a linocut artist and printmaker whose work celebrates the extraordinary beauty of Australian native flora and fauna!
Based in Scotts Head, Briony brings a unique perspective to her art - blending her background in conservation and science education with creative expression. Her prints are informed by field experiences, capturing the drama, character and intricate complexities of our local ecosystems.
"I want to inspire deeper connections with our precious biodiversity - from the idiosyncrasies of individual species to the ecosystems they inhabit."
Live Demonstrations: 10am, 12pm & 2pm both days.
Recent Achivements:
Highly Commended Nambucca Valley Bieenial Show 2025
Highly Commended Scotts Head Art Show 2025
Finalist, Northern Exposure 2026, Port Macquarie Glasshouse
Jerome Speekman
Meet Jerome, a master embroiderer whose vibrant, large-scale needlework celebrates the lush Australian landscape!
Inspired by the countryside near his New South Wales home, Jerome stitches native birds, animals, and flowers with astounding color and detail. His work depicts majestic forests, woodland spirits, and the natural world that makes us feel wonderfully insignificant.
An auto-didact who has been perfecting his craft for over 30 years, Jerome doesn't do "pretty" or "dainty" work - his embroideries are bold, big, and boundary-pushing. From realistic nature scenes to fantasy blue-skinned spirits playing among gnarled tree branches, each piece is a testament to the power of needle and thread.
"After so many ladies stopped me in the street exclaiming my work was amazing, it encouraged me to go from clothing onto wall hangings!"
Discover the extraordinary art of needlepainting at the Artisan Tent!
View more of Jerome’s work on instagram @needler2016
Wendy Tanner, leadlight creations
Wendy has worked in many media, but her main passion now is mosaics, using a variety of resources. She particularly likes using materials that have been discarded, giving them a new life and telling a story.
Wendy will be showcasing her beautiful stained glass windows and lead lights.
Follow Wendy on instagram @wintan
Lyn Green, spinner and maker of chooks
“Whilst I am passionate about spinning local alpaca fleece, I also love experimenting with a range of different sheep fleeces, camel, silk and even dog and cat fur! They all have different qualities and textures".
"My hand knitted comfort chooks are addictive to make, and I greatly enjoy ensuring that every chook is unique and individual. I first learnt to make the chooks as 'comfort' for children on the spectrum. However, I have discovered that they are greatly loved by a huge range of different age groups and seem to bring great joy! Which I simply love!"
Fibre artist Lynn Green will be spinning wool to make gorgeous knitted chooks. Whilst she is passionate about spinning local alpaca fleece, she also loves experimenting with a range of different sheep fleeces, camel, silk and even dog and cat fur, which all have different qualities and textures.
Lynn’s hand knitted comfort chooks are addictive to make, and she greatly enjoys ensuring that every chook is unique and individual. Lynn first learnt to make the chooks as 'comfort' for children on the spectrum. However, she has discovered that are greatly loved by a huge range of different age groups and seem to bring great joy! Which she simply loves!
Visit Lyn Green’s instagram page: @yarnologiemag
Dubravka Sabljak, ceramics (as well as an artist)
Step into a world where fantasy meets familiarity with ceramic artist and sculptor Dubravka Sabljak!
Dubravka creates curious otherworldly figures that blur boundaries - from expressive goddesses (part eagle, part female) to whimsical character-driven sculptures. Her work is influenced by nature and Gumbaynggirr country, and her creative practice is deeply rooted in healing.
"My sculptures tell stories - they're about transformation, symbolism, and finding beauty through life's adversities."
WORKSHOP DETAILS
These run for approximately 30 mins each
Saturday 10am - 10:30am Pinch Pot “Gum nut with lid” .
Saturday 2pm - 2:30pm Figurative Animals - Simple (Duck or Dog)
Sunday 10am - 10:30am Pinch Pot “Gum nut with lid” .
Sunday 2pm - 2:30pm Figurative Animals - Simple (Duck or Dog)
See more of Dubravka’s work on instagram @dubravkasabljakart
Rich Nerdgore, graphic artist
Rich 'NerdGore' Sampson, grew up in the wilds of the UK, honing his pen and ink skills on a steady diet of 2000AD, Warhammer and Dungeon & Dragons. Settling in Bellingen in 2015, Richard has spent many an early morning hour grafting away on illustrations for everything from Santa Cruz skateboards to Role Playing Games to t-shirts for a whole host of metal and punk bands. Lately he has completed book illustrations for the long running Lone Wolf gamebook series and fully illustrated the Italian edition of Four Against Darkness.
Nerdgore, aka Richy Sampson, draws nerdy shit, gory shit and everything in between. His illustration style is a bitching amalgam of 80's comics, horror movies, 2000ad, retro toys and fantasy art when it didn't totally suck balls. He counts John Blanche, Simon Bisley, Mike McMahon, Brian Bolland, Kevin O'Neill, Tim Vigil and Frank Frazetta among his greatest influences and feels that if he watched John Carpenter's The Thing every day for rest of his life, it wouldn't be too many!
See Rich's distinctive artwork at the Artisan Tent.
See more of Rich’s work on instagram @artofnerdgore
Alicia Kook (Vitality Bloom)- Japanese kokedama moss bowls bringing living art into your space
Discover the ancient Japanese art of kokedama with Alica from Vitality Bloom Nursery!
Kokedama - meaning "moss ball" - is a beautiful living art form that transforms plants into sculptural hanging gardens. These Japanese moss bowls are more than just plant displays - they're miniature ecosystems that bring nature indoors with elegance and simplicity.
Alica's kokedama creations blend traditional technique with contemporary plant styling, offering a unique way to connect with greenery in your space.
Whether you're a plant lover, looking for a unique gift, or simply curious about this meditative craft, come meet Alica and explore the serene world of kokedama.
