07/09/2022
Valley Street Textiles Studio is now closed. It opened its doors in February 2016 as a safe, welcoming and creative space to deliver free to access workshops to local community members. In particular we sought to support those who were isolated, who wanted to learn new skills and who struggled with confidence and mental wellbeing.
From 2016 - 2022 Gawthorpe Textiles Collection have delivered twice weekly workshops and activities exploring a broad range of textile and craft techniques.
Highlights of the projects undertaken include being involved in producing commissions for OK the Musical at Tate Liverpool and creating a banner (and of course meeting Patrick Grant) for the British Textile Biennial, creating "Scary Mary" a giant float figure for Burnley Canal Festival and the Miss Rachel's Roses and Ethical Textiles exhibitions at Gawthorpe Hall.
The group have also championed and given back to other good causes locally and further afield by making baby clothes, turbans for chemo patients, hats for the homeless and many more.
We are incredibly grateful to all of the local people who have attended or donated materials to support the sessions, and to the local businesses and funders that supported the activity to ensure that we could continue to offer activities for free. Most of all we would like to thank Calico for enabling us to use their spaces at Valley Street Community Centre and for being so supportive of the group over the past 6 years.
