Launceston artist and TasTAFE textiles teacher Kay will open his exhibition Towards and Origin: Michael Kay, at the Academy Art Gallery on Monday.

As part of the exhibition, a master class on repp weaving will be held on August 11 with all proceeds being donated to The Examiner’s Winter Relief Appeal.

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“I wanted to do something that would bring people into the gallery, but also give back to the community in some way,” Kay said.

He said the Winter Relief Appeal was his choice because it didn’t give money to just one charity, and it helped those who were really vulnerable in the community.

“We are part of the community so, it wasn’t really about the money for me,” he said.

“It’s wonderful that we can make a small contribution.”

The Winter Relief Appeal raises funds for four Launceston charities.

Kay said one of his pieces took 18 months to finish and the exhibition includes some big and small pieces related to Cradle Mountain and the Cataract Gorge.

He said he wanted to convey the “sense of awe” he felt when he visited those places.

UTAS Academy Gallery director Malcolm Bywaters said the master class was a way to encourage people to interact with the exhibition and get them involved.

“We wanted to include the community in what we were doing,” he said.

The Examiner’s Winter Relief Appeal is turning 60 this year, and has a fundraising target of $60,000. The tally so far has hit $48,389.27 and the appeal will run until August 31. A cocktail party, hosted by The Examiner and the Launceston Chamber of Commerce will be held on on August 10.