About Julie Coghlan

Pre-school Story Telling Felt Project 2011

Julie qualified as a Surface Pattern Designer (SIAD) in 1979 and has worked in the art and design industry ever since. An interest in textiles led her to study for a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Applied Arts at the Cumbria Institute of the Arts (now the University of Cumbria). She graduated with a first class honours degree in 2008. Other work has been experimental, working in water colour and oil painting techniques, design and sculpture. Since graduating Julie has opened Hesta Scene? with her close friend Karen a jewellery designer and photographer. Hesta Scene? is a small gallery/studio designing textiles, running workshops and primary school projects. She was appointed as a Creative Practitioner for Creative Futures Cumbria after completing a mentoring programme in 2009.

"I hope to inspire young people through a process of Design and Development into the exciting world of art and design. I would aim to develop confidence using Feltmaking techniques which I believe can be inspirational to the apparently least talented children. Staff would also benefit from acquiring Felt making skills for use in future projects. Feltmaking has become extremely popular in recent times and I have found that traditional feltmaking can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities."

Julie Coghlan