Exhibitions connected with an international conference exploring the interface between textiles, art, design and fashion fills the art centre with fascinating examples of fabric craft and collaborations.

The Hall Gallery offers SPOT an intriguing display of mostly red, black and white tapestries by Amy Duncan. Here are contemporary works that weave the circle within the square, a curved line on a rectangle surface, to create well balanced compositions. The precise, minimal imagery seems to vibrate with spatial tension. Duncan's large Blue Circle holds the eye as we're certain the bubble is floating, albeit slowly, toward the centre of the slate grey ground.

The Main Gallery is filled with intriguing organic forms that sit on plinths and hang from the ceiling. CROSSINGS is a result of local artist Megan Kirwan-Ward's on-going collaboration with women textile artists from West Sumatra as the works exhibited are inspired by plant forms from both 'islands'. Ottomans, cushions, and quilts suggestive of ferns hidden in the undergrowth, odd seed pods and familiar leaf forms are superbly constructed in a variety of warm coloured fabrics. After recovering from the awe that hits you upon entering the gallery, take the time to investigate each sculptural form and hanging quilt, to appreciate their precise stitching, rich hues and textures. Also appreciated are the 'palettes', small blocks covered in fabric that suggest the artist working out her colour schemes and stitch patterns. KirwanWard's excellent skills are exceeded only by her ability to translate nature's wonders into objects that nurture wonder.

Walking into Gallery 3 turns wonder into wanderlust. In her first solo exhibition, PARALLAX, Ainsley Hillard transforms the white cube of the gallery into area of subtle displacement. Suspended from the ceiling are delicately woven strips of fabric that are at once transparent and wear a pattern of subtle hues. Walk amid them and they move, breathe and they seem to respond. We're in a forest of icicles but they're warm, weave through stalactites but they're flexible. This ever changing visual environment goes beyond the visual experience to offer an almost organic environment. If needed, the participant can fix their eye on the array of excellent 'sprays' arranged on the wall, constructions of wire and delicate fabric that call to mind coral or floral entities.

Not to be overlooked is the Kathleen O'Connor Gallery as that's where Maggie Baxter offers us A STITCH IN TIME. Here the earth colours and traditional techniques of Kutch  northwest India inspire the artist. Silk shawls are draped over 'shoulders' suspended from the ceiling while rugs and throws hang on the wall. All are magnificently decorated with printed, appliquéd, embroidered, or woven linear patterns. Despite some delicate patterns, all the works show a strength of form and function. She displays the art of textiles as craft at it's best.

Then when you think you're totally textiled out, pop into the Cafe Gallery for a look at Annie Trevillian's BASS GARDENS SERIES of hand dyed silk scarfs and screen printed panels. Inspired by a park in the Canberra suburb of Griffith, Trevillian draws on the seeds, cones, and branches of the Atlas and Deodar Cedar trees for decorative motifs in her work. These are gentle works in warm hues that reflect the mood of their subject.

Stitching, printing weaving and wonder await the visitor. Enjoy these fine exhibitions.