Description

Established in 1976, the Australian Tapestry Workshop (ATW) is a centre of textile excellence, specialising in the creation of contemporary tapestries in collaboration with living artists, designers and architects. 

The ATW occupies a heritage-listed Victorian Free Gothic-style building in South Melbourne that was formerly the Harcourt Parry Drapery Emporium in Park Street. The building was erected in 1885 as a drapery establishment for the pioneer Victorian colonist Edwin Harcourt by prominent Melbourne architect T. J. Crouch, and was later adapted for use as the Patross Knitting Mills.

In 1976, a renovation by Peter Carmichael transformed what had become a derelict, dingy factory space into a spacious, light-filled studio — a perfect home for the establishment of the ATW. In 2001, further renovations were carried out by Williams Boag Architects to include new public areas, the wool shop, gallery space and weaving annex. Today, the large windows in the saw-tooth roof provide abundant light to an open and flexible creative space known as the ATW. The only workshop of its kind in Australia, the space is dedicated to the production of handwoven tapestries and ensuring that our specialist creative skills are kept alive.

What's On

Tour the ATW with one of our knowledgeable guides. Learn about its history, the building and the colour laboratory where the yarns are dyed for production. Gain special access to the weaving floor and chat to our weavers about the process of weaving and what's on the loom.

Children's Activities

Drop in to enjoy our weaving table: play with a range of colourful materials including wool offcuts, recycled fabric and paper. All skill levels welcome, and suitable for all ages.