Inspire Mark extended!

With the good news that the exhibition will be touring to the National Needlework Archive in Newbury in the autumn, I'm pleased to say that our 'Inspire Mark' award has been extended to the end of 2012. So pat yourselves on the back - we are well and truly part of the Cultural Olympiad of 2012.
The project will also continue to inspire young people because a selection of work will be going to Langley Academy for use as inspiration for art and art textiles students.

Quick photos of the work on view in Bracknell

Because most of the time the exhibition will be 'view through window only' we tried to put small things in the window so they had as much chance to be seen as the larger wall pieces. Already whilst hanging it we had people asking when it would open, and stopping to look closely at the small works.

We are now showing at Gallery@49, Bracknell

See a selection of pieces at the recently opened Gallery@49, on the corner of Crossway and Broadway in Bracknell town centre. View at any time through the big windows, or come in and chat to one of us during 'doors open' on every Friday and Saturday between 2nd and 17th December, from 11am to 3pm. For more information see: http://www.reorsa.org/ (organisers of Gallery@49)

Review

A couple weeks ago I got a cryptic email from Jane which prompted me to open my issue of the Quilter straight away instead of saving it for during lunchtime.

A great review by Lois Bellew of the Exhibition at the Slough Museum. Very special comments.

That was a lovely surprise.

Also, the dates for one of the next outings for the exhibition is at the end of the article.
It will be at the National Needlework Archive, Old Textile Centre, Newbury, Berkshire 19 September to 26 October, 2012.

We have also been asked for some of the pieces to go to Langley Academy which has connections with the Museum. The chosen pieces will go on display alongside the Museum Artefact which inspired it.

AND...the newly opened Bracknell Gallery has asked us to show some of the work in their gallery space. We are in the process of working it out, but it will probably be 3 weeks from the last week in November this year - 2011.
So, it goes on with a life of it's own!

Positive feedback ...

Shortly after the exhibition came down, Annie Hamilton gave me her thoughts about the exhibition:
"... how very apt her [Heather Brand's] work was in the middle of the window at Slough museum - as a Slough resident I thought her piece [Follow the Sun] captured the essence of the place beautifully and I recognised the design straight away as I walk over the original each week! Also, to Mary [Parry], her quilt [Trading Estate] was much admired by myself and other residents with artistic bents as an excellent portrait of our trading eatate! Loved all the work in the show actually and am proud to be part of TVCQ."

Then I was delighted to receive a thank you letter from Councillor Mrs. Gill Birch, Bracknell Town Mayor, who attended our Private View: "I was delighted to meet you and see the lovely textile work your group has achieved, congratulations on being granted the Inspire Mark and I hope this brings more recognition to your group in future projects."

Slideshow link for exhibition images

I've embedded a slideshow of the images from the exhibition, follow this link and take a look at the gallery! Thanks to me, Nigel Bird, and Mike Woodman for the photographs. I think there should be photographs of everyone's work. If I have missed anyone by mistake, send me your own photos and I'll add them. Thanks, Jane

Private view - 4th June 2011

The final event for the Museum before it closes this venue, was our Private View. The party was combined between celebrating ourselves and our work, and thanking the volunteers of the Museum and the work that they put in to the collections. It was very sad to think that the Museum was closing, but I think we gave it a fantastic send off. We look forward to hearing news of the reopening at Slough Library.

It was a very appropriate finale. We had many lovely comments that the Museum volunteers liked the work on display because it was based on interpretations of Slough and the Museum - it was particularly relevant to them as people who live and/or work in Slough and they felt that we had really done the subject justice.

It was great to have a busy and lively event that was also recognised by the Mayor of Bracknell Town, Councillor Gill Birch. She had met our group during one of our meetings in the community centre in Bracknell and was really interested in what we were doing, so we were delighted to be able to show her the end result.

The Curator, Eleanor Pulfer talking to visitors. We owe Eleanor many thanks for giving us the opportunity to do this project, and supporting us throughout.

Thank you to Nigel Bird for the photographs. Nigel did a fantastic job of capturing the event for us.