Arts on Site: Embroidered Racquets with Joanna Anglesey

Sport history and local innovation meets story-telling and craft.

Join textile artist Joanna Anglesey for a hands-on workshop where vintage tennis rackets become canvases for embroidered art.

Inspired by the Alexander 100 exhibition, which celebrates Tasmania’s place on the international tennis stage, this session invites you to explore themes of memory, play, and material storytelling.

Begin your journey by wandering through the Alexander 100 exhibition to absorb the story of a passion that shaped local and global tennis history. Then, share the story of your own racket: Is it yours? Was it passed down through your family? Is it an Alexander, or another brand? Or maybe you found it at the op-shop?

You’ll then design your own embroidery and learn basic stitching techniques using wool and other materials. We encourage the use of discarded or repurposed materials to contribute to the layered storytelling woven into each piece.

Whether you're an experienced embroiderer or just curious to try something new, this is a chance to get creative, connect with others, and make something truly unique.

About the workshop

• This workshop is suitable for adults [18+] of all experience levels.
• Participants are requested to bring their own racquet for this workshop.

• The workshop's location is the Queen Victoria Museum, 2 Invermay Road, Invermay, Launceston.

About the artist

Joanna Anglesey is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans, textiles, painting, and drawing. She trained in Hobart, Adelaide, and Launceston, developing a richly diverse artistic foundation.

In 2013, Joanna completed a PhD exploring social and environmental critique through ephemeral public installations—transforming everyday spaces into thought-provoking experiences. Her work is deeply rooted in community engagement and creative collaboration.

Joanna currently coordinates Creative Connections at Interweave Arts, where she fosters inclusive and expressive art-making every Tuesday. She remains an active contributor to community art projects, bringing people together through creativity and shared purpose.

About the exhibition

Alexander 100 tells a uniquely Tasmanian story of creativity, community and global ambition.

Founded in 1925, the Alexander Patent Racket Company produced world-renowned tennis racquets and other high-quality sporting goods that helped shape Australian sporting culture.

This exhibition celebrates the centenary of the company and explores the innovation, design and marketing brilliance that placed a small Tasmanian manufacturer on the global stage.

Alexander 100

Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road, Launceston

30 August 2025 — 30 November 2025

Free entry | Open 10am to 4pm daily

About QVMAG's Arts on Site program

Our ongoing series will immerse you in a vibrant blend of art techniques, taking inspiration from our current exhibitions and with expert guidance from our passionate facilitators.

Find out more about this exciting series at www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Arts-on-Site

Also check out other Arts events in Launceston, Exhibitions in Launceston, Sports events in Launceston.