Community Yarnbombing Transforms Picasso Guitar for Hats Off To Country as a bold fibre art installation weaves together regional stories, music and creativity in the heart of Tamworth
Tamworth’s iconic Picasso Guitar sculpture will soon be wrapped in colour and creativity as the final installation of the Yarnbombing Project is unveiled during the 2025 Hats Off to Country Festival.
This vibrant celebration of community and craft will take place on Sunday 13 July at 11:00am in Bicentennial Park.
Presented by Arts North West in partnership with Tamworth Regional Council, the yarnbombing is the joyful finale of a two-year creative journey involving hundreds of artists, community groups, and fibre enthusiasts from across the New England North West. Regular Sunday workshops at Tamworth Regional Gallery have invited people of all ages and abilities to contribute handcrafted pieces, culminating in a large-scale textile intervention that celebrates connection, place and shared creativity.
“The Yarnbombing Project speaks to the way art can animate public spaces, draw communities together, and reflect the rich social fabric of regional life,” said Miranda Heckenberg, Acting Executive Director of Arts North West. “It’s a playful yet deeply meaningful expression of collective care – a work that’s both personal and public, ephemeral and powerful.”
The unveiling will feature live country music by local songwriter Carly Robinson alongside an interactive knit and crochet station where visitors can create and contribute their own small pieces on the day.
Warm drinks and soup will be available to purchase, creating a cosy and welcoming atmosphere.
“This people-powered artwork adds an unexpected and delightful layer to Tamworth’s cultural landscape,” said Bridget Guthrie, Director of Galleries and Museums at Tamworth Regional Council. “It’s a colourful, community-led activation that aligns perfectly with the energy of Hats Off To Country.”
The project has received contributions from across the region, with artists and community members in Armidale, Moree, Narrabri, and beyond, playing a part in its creation. Schools, aged care homes, and individual makers alike have all helped bring the project to life – a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines regional arts practice.
“Fibre art has a unique accessibility – it invites touch, memory, and participation,” said Heckenberg. “The act of making together, stitch by stitch, echoes the way communities build meaning through shared cultural experiences.”
The Yarnbombing Project draws on the global tradition of textile-based street art but brings a uniquely regional and musical lens to the concept. Wrapping the Picasso Guitar – a tribute to both sculpture and song – links Tamworth’s identity as Australia’s Country Music Capital with a broader story of community expression.
Event Details:
📍 Bicentennial Park, Tamworth
📅 Sunday 13 July 2025 | From 11:00am
🎶 Live music by Tamworth songwriter Carly Robinson
🧶 Interactive crochet and knitting station | Warm drinks and soup available
🎨 Free, family-friendly community art activation
Whether you're a music fan, maker, or festivalgoer looking for something a little different, the Yarnbombing Finale offers an unforgettable blend of colour, craft and culture – a living, growing artwork shaped by many hands and hearts.