Dungog artist and biodiversity farmer Jane Richens is the 2026 Artist-in-Residence at the Fibre Makers Space, part of the National Trust’s Grossmann & Brough Houses in Maitland. Running through to the end of May, the residency invites visitors to drop into the Open Studio on Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am–3pm.
Jane’s work weaves together art, heritage and rainforest conservation. Drawing on historical research and hands-on making, she maps early vegetation, creates fibre from local plants and responds to garments and objects from the Grossmann House collection. Her current research spans bast fibres from local species such as Hibiscus heterophyllus, wearable forms inspired by historic dress, early regional maps, and traditional millinery techniques.
A key work in development is a life-size silhouette of a dress worn by Mary Capper in the 1870s, reimagined through locally sourced rainforest plant fibres.
Working across both studio and field, Jane grows, harvests and processes plant fibres, experimenting with methods such as ‘retting’ to understand their qualities. Visitors are encouraged to drop in, see the process unfold, and join the conversation.
The residency will culminate in an exhibition this July at Brough House, Maitland. Drop in on the Open Studio days Mondays & Tuesdays 10-3, until the end of May.
With thanks to the Fibre Makers’ Space, Grossmann House and the National Trust for enabling this Artist-in-Residence project and supporting the creation of a contemporary fibre dialogue with a historic collection.
Photos from
Left: Artist-in-Residence Jane Richens mocking up a Victorian bustle in preparation for a fullscale
silhouette of a Victorian garment inspired by a portrait in the historic Grossmann
House collection. Photo taken by Vicki Cornish.
Right: Artist-in-Residence Jane Richens’ initial mockup of a collar of a Victorian garment made
from the fibre of local rainforest plant Hibiscus heterophyllus. Photo taken by Jane Richens