New Life is an upcoming exhibition at Hive, showcasing contemporary woodcraft by members of the North West Woodcraft Guild and exploring ideas of reuse, learning and collaboration.
Below, Guild member Anne Williams shares her story in her own words.
Being a product of a 1970s high school education, I was refused the opportunity to participate in woodworking classes at school. “That is not for girls” was what I heard.
This attitude continued throughout my life, even at home, although I showed interest in my father’s mower repair business. It wasn’t until I came to Ulverstone, Tasmania, in 2013 that things changed.
Every time I saw the local Men’s Shed group out and about, I asked if they had women members. Understandably, recognising their mission, the answer was no. Eventually, the Ulverstone Community Shed did open their doors to women and I joined the group. There, I had the opportunity to learn basic skills using machines that had originally made me feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Gradually, I became comfortable using the machines, made some wood projects and even mentored new members.
Having a very supportive partner, one year I received membership to the North West Woodcraft Guild in Ulverstone as a Christmas present. Since joining the Guild, I have realised my dream of working with wood and have participated in many workshops, learning more detailed use of machines, making simple and more complex projects, pyrography, carving, kumiko, hand tool use, marquetry and woodturning. I am ready to try anything.
In the last four years, using these skills, I have inspired two projects that have been part of Hive exhibitions in the Art Gallery space. My first project was curating a quilt sampler using different woodworking techniques, which involved many of the Guild members contributing using their particular skills. The quilt was featured in the 2023 exhibition and can now be seen in the Guild workshop area, proudly on display.
This year, I have curated the making of a screen that will be used in the Guild to disguise the lunch area. It will be a central piece in the upcoming exhibition at Hive. This year’s exhibition has the title New Life. The screen incorporates timber from lost wood stashes, old Venetian blinds and local macrocarpa. Once again, it was a team project, allowing members to use known skills and learn new ones.
The screen has given new life not only to the wood used, but also to my second chance at working with wood.
– Anne Williams
Anne’s work forms part of New Life, an exhibition by the North West Woodcraft Guild at Hive, Ulverstone. The exhibition runs from 14 February to 3 May 2026.
More information, including exhibition and opening event details, is available at https://www.hivetasmania.com.au/our-events/exhibition-opening-new-life/
