Stitching Stories from the Past

Sunday September 6th, 1pm - 4pm

Create a Textile Artwork Inspired by Workhouse Stories with Artist Poppy Nash

Join textile artist Poppy Nash for a relaxed, creative drop-in workshop exploring the lives and stories of people who experienced the workhouse. Using fabric, archive photographs, words, paint, pens, glue and simple stitching, you’ll be invited to respond to the stories you encounter around the museum and create your own textile postcard, letter, patch or small artwork. Take inspiration from the remarkable embroidered writings of Lorina Bulwer, historic photographs and archive material, or from wider themes of home, belonging, hardship, hope and human connection.

You might create:

  • a postcard inspired by a real or imagined journey
  • a letter to someone from the past
  • a textile response to a person or story you discover in the museum
  • an abstract piece inspired by words, emotions or experiences
  • an artwork incorporating historic photographs or archive material
  • a fabric story exploring ideas such as home, kindness, identity or belonging

Experiment with cutting, layering, stitching, gluing, drawing and painting. No previous textile or art experience is needed – Poppy will be on hand with creative prompts, ideas and guidance, while giving you plenty of freedom to follow the stories and themes that resonate with you. Your finished piece can be taken home or, if you choose, added to a growing collaborative textile artwork created by visitors during the exhibition.

This is an informal drop-in session, so you’re welcome to spend a short time experimenting or settle in and develop something more considered.

Admission to the workshop is included in your annual ticket.