With its first Patron on board and deliveries of hand made textile neurons starting to arrive at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, Neural Knitworks is now well underway.
Great timing considering that Worldwide Knit in Public Week begins next Monday! Why not get along to some of the events on offer in the next few weeks or start your own event by following the instructions on the Neural Knitworks page?
Professor Ian Hickie, Director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute, joins the project as its Patron and looks forward to hosting a Neural Knitworks event with mental health professionals and patients at the Institute’s Headspace Clinic in Sydney on 31 July.
“I’m pleased to support this hands on community awareness project that has relevance to people of all ages, including children, in raising awareness of brain health in relation to mental illness, ageing, Parkinsons, neurodegeneration and more,” he said.
Upcoming events
University of Sydney
When: Thurs 19 June from 12 to 2pm
Where: Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney
Disover the fascinating inner space of the brain with Professor Ian Hickie, Director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute and learn some surprising links between yarn craft and weight loss from Associate Professor Amanda Salis from the Charles Perkins Centre.
Neuroscientist and blogger Dr Sarah Mackay will share tips to help you keep your own brain sharp and healthy and science communicator Dr Jenny Whiting, tells how she became an avid crocheter. Best of all you will get the chance to create neurons with Pat Pillai and Rita Pearce, the two textile artists behind this project who will show you how to create colourful woolly brain cells of many shapes and sizes.
Lunch time knit-ins at UNSW
When: 12-1 pm Wednesday 18 June
Where: Museum of Human Disease, Ground Floor Samuels Building, UNSW
When: 12-1 pm 9 July
Where: Library Lawn, UNSW
Get together with students, researchers and brain experts and create some neurons towards the travelling textile brain installation as you natter about neuroscience.
Canberra Craft
When: 11am-3pm, Sunday 22 June
Where: CSIRO Discovery Centre, North-Science Road, Acton, ACT
Meet Pat Pillai and Rita Pearce, the artists behind this project and craft your own brain health as you learn how to knit, wrap, knot or crotchet textile neurons. Scientists from Alzheimers Australia Research Foundation will be on hand to talk to you about brain health.
School holiday fun in Bathurst!
When: 11 am Friday 4 July
Where: Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum
Learn how to make knitted neurons to be included in the National Science Week exhibition at this 1-hour workshop on at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. $12 (includes museum admission).
Bookings 02 6331 5511.
Campaspe (Northern Victoria)
Head to Campaspe Regional Libraries for two weeks of No Knit Neuron Craft activities as part of the July School Holiday Program at all of its branches in Echuca and surrounds. Hoping to send lots of neurons your way.
Get involved
Help the artists amass neurons towards their first textile brain installation that will be launched at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery during National Science Week 2014 by joining a knit in or hosting a Neural Knitwork event in your community.
