Paint as cloth - workshop and exhibition with artist Katey Smoker

Experience an alternative to traditional painting.

Guided by artist Katey Smoker, discover how paint can exist beyond the canvas and frame.

Katey will show you how to transform paint into tactile cloth-like forms and exhibit them later alongside hers at Fabrik Arts + Heritage, South Australia's premier centre for textile arts.

The workshop

During the workshop you will transform acrylic paint into flexible, cloth-like sheets that can be draped and displayed in a similar way to fabric. Through layering and experimentation with colour, you will learn the technique for creating thin, tactile surfaces that explore how paint can mimic the texture and movement of fabric.

This workshop is perfect for artists, makers, and curious beginners interested in pushing the boundaries of paint and exploring its sculptural, fabric-like possibilities.

The exhibition

You will make at least two sheets, one of which will be displayed in the 'Paint as Cloth Participants' Exhibition' at Fabrik while the other will be taken home for display or use in future projects.

Your artworks will be on public display at Fabrik from 4 November to 13 December 2026.

About the workshop facilitator

Katey Smoker is a contemporary visual artist investigating paint as a material with physical presence. Through casting and layering, she forms structures made entirely from paint, using repetition to build texture and examine how the medium can hold itself in space.

Based in Adelaide, she holds a Bachelor of Contemporary Art and a Bachelor of Metallurgical Engineering. This combination informs her approach to material and structure, where an understanding of how substances behave allows her to work with acrylic as both form and support, rethinking how paint can exist beyond the surface.

Katey is also an experienced workshop facilitator who has a passion for sharing her creative interests, skills and knowledge with other artists and art-curious members of the community.

Other things you need to know

• Paint as cloth will unfold in 3 parts.

  • The first part is the 2-hour workshop.

  • The 2nd part involves Katey taking your artwork to her studio where she will prepare it ready for public display.

  • The 3rd part will be the 'Paint as Cloth Participants' Exhibition' at Fabrik.

• The workshop fee covers materials and the public display of your artwork.

• The location, signage and promotion of the 'Paint as Cloth Participants' Exhibition' will be subject to Fabrik's discretion.

• The Paint as Cloth Participants' exhibition will not by accompanied by an opening reception.

• Participants will be informed about the post-exhibition collection of their artworks at the workshop on the 11th of October.

• Suitable for participants at all skill levels, 18 years and older.

• Wear art workshop appropriate clothing.

• Bring your own optional snacks. Tea and coffee provided.

• If your circumstances change and you can no longer attend this workshop, please email niki.vouis@ahc.sa.gov.au before 5pm, Thursday 1 October 2026. We cannot issue refunds after this time and date.

Need to know more?

Contact the Fabrik Public Programs Officer - fabrik@ahc.sa.gov.au - subject heading 'Paint as Cloth inquiry'

Here's Katey and examples of workshop outcomes on display.

Banner image credit: photograph taken by Darren Clements.

Inclusion in the Fabrik mailing list

By registering for a Fabrik workshop or event your name and email address will be added to our contact list. This means from time to time you will receive Fabrik program updates by email. If you wish to opt out, please email the Public Programs Officer (nvouis@ahc.sa.gov.au) directly with Contact List Opt-Out in the subject heading and your full name in the message.

Parking at Fabrik when attending a workshop. Please refer to the helpful diagram.