Alison Pascoe | Artist, Craftsperson & Tutor
Alison Pascoe is a fibre artist, craftsperson, tutor and the founder of ASTRL Fibres ~ a Belfast studio dedicated to heritage craft skills, established in 2016. Her practice lives in the space between art and functionality; rooted in generational skills, shaped by a deep curiosity, and reflective of her love of colour, pattern and the natural world.
Born and raised in the foothills of Alberta, Alison studied sculpture and textiles at the Alberta University of the Arts before putting down roots in Northern Ireland. A lifelong maker inspired by her own family history of accomplished craftspeople, she launched ASTRL Fibres from a desire to build a creative life from her craft ~ one grounded with intention and a commitment to making with meaning.
Alison's work combines traditional macramé, passementerie, braiding and cord weaving techniques; handcrafted objects and artworks that embody a playful sense of place and storytelling. Her wider practice draws from the rich material worlds of basketry, ancient fibre craft and decorative arts.
In 2024 she was awarded a training bursary from the Heritage Crafts to undertake 1:1 training in passementerie, with leading passementerie artist Elizabeth Ashdown, alongside ply-split braiding with Julie Hedges and traditional Japanese braidmaking, or Kumihimo. With only a handful of artists across the UK and Ireland practicing passementerie, she is among a rare few committed to keeping this endangered skill alive and sharing it with new audiences.
Alongside her creative practice, Alison is an experienced tutor and community arts facilitator, running workshops, short courses and 1:1 tuition from her studio on the Woodstock Road in East Belfast. She has delivered sessions for organisations including the National Trust, Queen’s University Belfast, the Ulster Folk Museum, Brink!, the Crescent Arts Centre and Island Arts Centre.
For Alison, craft is more than just a skill ~ it's a mindful practice, a powerful form of connection, expression and a grounding way of thinking with your hands in a virtual age.
The Studio | 412 Woodstock Road
Nestled on the Woodstock Road ~ a neighbourhood with deep roots in industry, craft and making ~ the ASTRL Fibres studio is a lovingly curated shopfront space, bathed in natural light and a quiet oasis on a busy street in the heart of East Belfast. The studio is situated near to the original site of the Belfast Rope Works, which was at one time the largest rope manufacturing company in the world. The perfect address for a workshop dedicated to the craft of knots, braids and fibres.
The studio is a working artist studio, learning hub and consultation space. Designed to feel like a pause ~ an intentional step out of the hectic rush of everyday life. Whether you are joining a workshop, booking a 1:1 session or exploring a commission, you will find a relaxed and welcoming space to connect, slow down and think with your hands.
The studio is not a walk-in space and visits are by appointment only, with selected open days throughout the year. Alison would love to welcome you so get in touch to arrange your visit or to find out when the next open day is.
