They appreciate the art, but it's just not their cup of tea.

This is the common thread shared between Manning Fibre Group.

The group, that has been running for roughly two years, prefers an experimental relationship with fibre.

Rather than only sewing, they mould, burn, dye and play with numerous techniques and materials to achieve their desired effect or an effect they never knew existed. Pat Land, the convenor of the Manning Fibre Group said the idea for the group was sparked after completing her advanced diploma in fine arts at Great Lakes TAFE.

She had met fellow artist Faye Collier through the course and both had asked "well, what's next?" and decided to start a group.

"It isn't a formal set up," Pat said.

"I contact members, we come along to the gallery and basically give a 'show and tell' on what we've been working on."

Pat describes the monthly 'catch ups' as a great social time, and motivating to get projects underway.

Currently the group's first exhibition 'Transition: Contemporary Textile Design' is exhibiting at Manning Regional Art Gallery until June 7.

The mix of techniques found in the exhibition is broad, and even educating on what fibre can do.

Pat Davidson, an experienced textile artist and Faye's sister, travels from Newcastle to be part of the group.

Pat has exhibited throughout the Hunter region and has now taken to using "just about anything" to create her fibre art.

For the exhibition Pat uses traditional weaving techniques to create baskets out of materials found in the home - including a used packet from Jatz biscuits.

For Pat the message of this fibre art is simple "Don't throw anything away!"

"There need not be any waste," said Pat.

"If you take time you can make things out of it.

"Waste can be beautiful."

Following interest from the public the Manning Regional Art Gallery staff have decided to put on a free 'taster day', where members of the fibre group will set up short demos and hands-on activites on the techniques used in the exhibition.

"Visiting members of the public can then move freely between the different activities and maybe stay longer where there interests mostly lie" convenor Pat Land explained.

The day will be held at the gallery from 10.30am to 2pm on Saturday May 23. The Manning Fibre Group will demonstrate a number of techniques including weaving, stitching, rust dying, eco printing with shibori techniques, saori weaving, lino cut printmaking and flax weaving.