Two Hobart designers to attend high-profile Vitra Design workshops in Europe

Two Hobart designers will attend high-profile workshops in Europe in an Australian-first partnership between Arts Tasmania and the internationally acclaimed Vitra Design Museum.

Architect Poppy Taylor will leave for Europe later this year and artist-architect-sculptor Judith Abell will attend a workshop in 2009.

The Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts, Michelle O'Byrne, said the Arts Tasmania/Vitra Design Museum Fellowship is a fantastic opportunity for the Tasmanian designers to work with top international design practitioners.

"They will spend a week at the Domaine de Boisbuchet workshop of their choice and an exclusive tour of the Vitra Design Museum in Basel, Switzerland," Ms O'Byrne said.

"The workshops will feature renowned international designers, artists and architects and will focus on insights into the design process and the challenges of creativity, lateral thinking and practical design skills."

Ms O'Byrne said Tasmanian designers will improve their skills and build international networks, expertise and potential markets.

"The recipients were chosen on the basis of their ability to give back to the Tasmanian design sector," she said.

"This initiative is a direct result of design industry development and the global focus of Tasmania's Design Island held in May this year.

"It's a great example of how Tasmanian design can be sent to the world and how Tasmanian designers can benefit from international experience and exposure."

The Arts Tasmania/Vitra Design Museum Fellowship is sponsored by CIRECA (Centre International de Recherche et d'Education Culturelle et Agricole).