Free Indigenous art workshops created by FNFD and Bonds will be led by Cairns artist Helena Loncaric at Cairns TAFE

A Cairns-based First Nations woman is one of nine artists to partner with Bonds to offer a series of free Indigenous creative workshops from today.

Cairns artist Helena Loncaric will lead the FNFD workshops in fabric painting, print making and fabric weaving. Picture: Brendan Radke

The workshops are part of the Activations Program, co-curated by First Nations Fashion and Design and Australian clothing brand, Bonds.

First Nations woman Helena Loncaric will lead the first creative workshop in her art studio at TAFE Queensland Cairns Campus.

“I became a teacher a long time ago through working with disengaged youths and also doing some relief work in high schools around Cairns with kids that found the normal kind of schooling just didn’t fit for them,” she said.

Cairns fashion business First Nations Fashion Design has partnered with Bonds Clothing for a series of workshops for aspiring designers to have their work transferred onto apparel. Cairns artist Helena Loncaric will lead the FNFD workshops in fabric painting, print making and fabric weaving. Picture: Brendan Radke

Highlighting the value of cultural empowerment through creative workshops, Ms Loncaric said drawing on her 30-year teaching career to foster a supportive space was important to her.

“If you’re an Indigenous woman and you just need to be with other sisters, mothers and grandmothers you know in a time of learning, sharing and creating, this is the workshop for you,” she said.

Participants will learn hands-on printing techniques on blank Bonds shirts, which they will be able to take home, as well as earring weaving.

“We’re going to be using a whole variety of methods, lino printing, also stencilling and using masking tape techniques that they can create onto a t-shirt, as well as a one metre piece of fabric which later they can take home and could use to sew into something,” Ms Loncaric said.

Participants will also have the opportunity to learn from several experts at Bonds HQ, who will cover areas of design, product development, merchandising and marketing. Picture: Supplied.

As well as teachings from artists including Ms Loncaric, those involved will learn from experts at Bonds HQ, who will cover other important areas of design, such as product development, merchandising and marketing.

Bonds head of marketing Kedda Ghazarian said the program was an “important step” and would help to create meaningful access for those looking to get into the industry.

“We are so proud to help provide pathways for young First Nations creatives through our partnership with FNFD,” she said.

Cairns artist Helena Loncaric said: “If you feel like you have something to say, come along and create together”. Picture: Brendan Radke

FNFD founder Grace Lillian Lee said the aim was to build partnerships with Indigenous communities and highlight First Nations contributions to fashion.

“FNFD endeavours to provide additional opportunities and networks for First Nations creatives with the aim to increase representation within the wider industry,” she said.

People can register interest via firstnationsfashiondesign.com

Originally published as Free Indigenous art workshops created by FNFD and Bonds will be led by Cairns artist Helena Loncaric at Cairns TAFE