Project launches in Elsecar to tell the stories of women who lived there
26 February 2019
A project is being launched in South Yorkshire to tell the stories of women who lived in Elsecar and Wentworth using textiles.
Acclaimed textile artist Gemma Nemer will launch ‘Common Threads - The Fabric of Society’ - a series of workshops running from March to July which will culminate with the creation of a giant textile installation.
A launch event for Common Threads will take place at Elsecar Heritage Centre on Saturday 2 March from 2-7pm ahead of International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March. The event is free and open to everyone.
The project is being supported by WE Great Place which is a three-year partnership between Barnsley Council, Rotherham Council and the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust.
Artist Gemma Nemer said: “The project celebrates the achievements and endeavours of the women from both villages, past and present. I’m really looking forward to welcoming people to the launch event or one of my workshops and I’m particularly interested to hear if anyone has any stories of strong women they knew.”
Gemma, who runs The Button Tin Project, recently became a WE Great Place ‘Artist in Residence’ at Elsecar Heritage Centre. The launch event coincides with the grand opening of her new studio space ‘The Way Station’. Last year WE Great Place commissioned Gemma to help decorate Elsecar village for the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire.
Dominic Somers from WE Great Place, said: “After a huge response to Gemma’s work last year it seemed fitting that we would commission her to be our Artist in Residence here at Elsecar Heritage Centre. Gemma’s new studio is a hub of creativity where everyone is welcome to get involved in stitching their heritage either by coming along to the launch, attending a workshop, or simply stopping by the studio.”
Lynn Dunning, Head of Barnsley Museums which operates Elsecar Heritage Centre, said: “Elsecar is becoming well known for its makers and creative independents. We're extremely excited to be welcoming Gemma to the heritage centre for what promises to be an inspirational residency.”
‘Common Threads - The Fabric of Society’ runs until the summer and celebrates the women behind the heritage, industry and traditions of Elsecar and Wentworth. The finished works will be showcased at Wentworth Woodhouse, Wentworth Village and Elsecar Village.
Gemma will be holding free workshops where people can help create the giant textile installation. They will take place at The Mechanics Institute in Wentworth from 1.30-5.30pm on 7 and 21 March and 4 and 18 April and at Elsecar Heritage Centre from 10am-5pm on 9, 23 and 30 March.
To book your place on a workshop or to find out more about how you can get involved in the Common Threads project, please email Gemma: gemma.nemer@hotmail.co.uk
This press release was prepared by Capital B Media, a public relations and media training agency based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. For more information, please visit www.capitalbmedia.co.uk.
