Now for yet another delight, the first quilting workshop ever to feature in our annual conference adventure. At first, a bunch of us wondered how responsive members might be to something more kinaesthetic than our usual fare; would the scholars and writers slip out for a cuppa? But no! Jo Henwood’s imaginative, compelling facilitation, and the conviviality of attendees, combined to form a magical interlude. From the top of the theatrette, glancing down to the stage, all one could see was a carpet of bodies, moving like sea-fronds, kneeling, cross-legged, arching over each other for a snippet of this, a patch of that… and whilst I don’t have a photo of Jo herself at the workshop, there’s a spectacular glimpse of her (thanks Jackie Kerin!) on stage telling a story that same day. Just scroll down through the quilts and gorgeous fairy tale folk here. Can you spot Aladdin’s lamp? A frog, anyone? Or toadstools spun from Australian wool?

Lorena Carrington from Castlemaine provided insights into her artistic approaches, and previewed her illustrations for a forthcoming book “Vasilisa the Wise” with acclaimed author Kate Forsyth (it’s great when our members collaborate!), while Erin McCuskey from Ballarat, founding producer of Yum Studio, introduced us to her fabulist realm of Luxville by way of film, photography and her book “Luxville Dolls”.

Courtesy of Spike Deane, we’re beaming a photo of her superb glass sculpture for our inaugural Australian Fairy Tale Society Award. Each year, awardees’ names will be inscribed onto this piece, as part of our permanent national fairy tale collection. The frog is designed so that light beams through his eyes, carrying the magic of glass, like a golden ball through a well.

A wondrous day it was, our Winter Solstice conference, full of marvels and mayhem! As part of the Glen Eira Storytelling Festival, we gathered in the Theatrette, Foyer and Gallery Annex of Glen Eira Town Hall in Caulfield, to share scholarship and creativity on the theme of mattresses… peeling back layers, disguises, self-narratives, identities, provocations and intercultural overlaps here in Australasia. Our membership renewals have been at a record-high during this June-July buzz.

Over the next days I’ll be posting highlights, starting with the exquisite illustration by member Erin-Claire Barrow (this photo pre-framing), presented to a former AFTS president Belinda Calderone, recipient of the inaugural Australian Fairy Tale Society Award:

We’ll beam more about Belinda and her award here soon, including a brilliant sculpture by glass artist Spike Deane that is now part of the Society’s permanent collection. First I’d like to thank both Bel and another former AFTS president, Catherine Snell, for participating in the conference, along with several other former, incoming or continuing committee members.

Thanks Dr Robyn Floyd for initiating and arranging delicious catering and a fairy tale cake contest, including Snow White cupcakes by Rose Gorman and Princess & the Pea cupcakes by Kellie Floyd (photos by MC/storyteller Jackie Kerin):

Lastly for today’s post, here is our Keynote, Durgah Devi (Dee) Palanisamy, who explored layers of cultural perception through use of oral storytelling and puppetry:

Further highlights will include glimpses of the fairy tale quilting workshop and photos of other contributors and their art.

To those who attended, thank you. To those present in spirit only, we hope to meet you at a fairy tale ring. If you’re in Melbourne Thursday 20th July, please join us at the Athenaeum Library for A Fairy Tale Evening 6pm, $15 or $10 for members of Australian Fairy Tale Society, Storytelling Australia Victoria or Athenaeum Library.

Fey regards,

Louisa John-Krol

President, Australian Fairy Tale Society

Hey Ho again fairy tale folk,

Here now is our public conference programme for Saturday 24th June 2017, including titles of presentations. Please download & circulate as you deem suitable. Fey thanks x

“Sleeping Beauty”, fourth issue of Australian Fairy Tale Society’s Ezine, is awakening. Here is her Teaser/Preview, with exquisite design by Gypsy Thornton:

Herewith our announcement to media & arts promoters, presenting our 4th Annual Conference. There are two versions, for your convenience:

1. Simple format for easy copy-pasting: AFTS 2017 Plain Text Press Release
2. Whimsy, for those with a penchant for fey revelry: Curious ElvesAustralian Fairy Tale SocietyMay-June 2017Press Release

Do feel free to download them for sharing hither and thither. Perhaps you live near a library or university campus? A bookshop, gallery or performance cafe? Let your community know about us, and hey… if you haven’t yet joined or renewed your membership, or registered for this event, now is a great time to do so!

The Australian Fairy Tale Society is offering a bursary for attendance at our 2017 Conference, ‘So Many Mattresses:  Truth, Reality, Fiction on a European Bed’, to be held at Glen Eira Town Hall, Melbourne on Saturday 24 June.  This bursary will cover:

• Conference registration
• Transport up to $250
• Accommodation up to $100 per night for 2 nights
• A “fairy godmother/father” as conference mentor.

Here are two ways you can submit the form: Bursary Application Form

(1) print, fill by hand, scan & email to us; or (2) ask Jo or I to email you the word doc as an attachment, so you can type into it, and return that to us: austfairytales@gmail.com

We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible this year!

Fey regards – from your dedicated committee.