Inspiring Women had pupils in stitches
Uni event showcased Tapestry of Renfrewshire
The ongoing Tapestry of Renfrewshire project took centre stage at the latest Inspiring Women talk held by the University of the West of Scotland.
The arts initiative has taken the oldest known map of Renfrewshire – produced by Timothy Pont – and used it as the inspiration to create a tapestry to reflect the legacy of the textile industry across the area.
Invited guests, which included around 60 third and fourth year pupils from schools local to Pont’s map, were given the chance to play their part in the creation of the Tapestry of Renfrewshire by adding a stitch to the artwork, creating their own Paisley pattern teardrop for inclusion in the main tapestry.
Production of the final tapestry is ongoing until 2021, by which stage 21 tapestry panels will have been completed.
The event included talks from renowned textile artist and designed Jilli Blackwood and a performance from Weaving Musical Threads, which used spoken word to depict the work and successes of Paisley’s Mill Girls.
Professor Craig Mahoney, principal and vice- chancellor of UWS, said: “We’re thrilled at the success of our latest Inspiring Women event and I would like to thank the speakers for sharing their experiences of the textile industry with our guests.
“Not only did it highlight the pivotal role of women in Scotland’s past and present textile industry, but it also revealed the lasting effect UWS’ home town of Paisley, and the wider Renfrewshire area, has had on the art form over the years.
“We’re extremely proud of the heritage between UWS and its original founding institution of 1897, the former Paisley Technical College and School of Art, and the weaving and thread industry of the town.
“We’re excited to continue to play a role in shaping the evolution of textile production through our academic work which supports and recognises the positive impact digital technology is having on the modern textile industry.
“We hope that everyone who attended the Inspiring Women event, and in particular the school pupils who represent Scotland’s next generation, have been inspired by our fantastic speakers.
“This event aimed to instil in our guests a sense of pride around Renfrewshire’s role in creating an artistic legacy that has evolved through generations while also creating an excitement for the future of the textile industry in both physical and digital forms.”
We are thrilled at the success of our latest Inspiring Women event