Louth to get unique tapestry
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DUNDALK is to get its own unique tapestry thanks to an innovative community project launched by Creative Spark.
The idea came from director Sarah Daly who was inspired by similar projects around the country. ‘I was aware of projects like this such as the Great Tapestry of Scotland, the Ros Tapestry in Wexford and, of course, the most famous Bayeux Tapestry in France,’ explains Sarah. ‘So when the opportunity came to make a proposal for Create Ireland funding for Louth, we thought it would make a very nice community project.’
The Ros Tapestry, for example, is a unique project ongoing in the South East since 1998, involving over 150 stitchers working on 15 giant tapestries panels, depicting scenes from Norman history linking. It is s one of the largest series of embroidered tapestries in Europe, with the first panel completed in 2002.
The Great Tapestry of Scotland was likewise a huge project involving communities around the country. The finished panels toured different regions of Scotland and will go on permanent display in a specially constructed venue from 2020.
Now, it’s hoped to embark on a similar project for Louth, with Sarah explaining: ‘ We hope to develop a beautiful and timeless artefact made by the community, for the community and for future generations in the county.’ The initial stage of the project sees people coming together in Creative Spark this Tuesday evening from 7pm to 9pm and Thursday morning from 11am to 1pm to share stories about their community.
Story facilitator Ali Warner and illustrator and graphic designer Geraldine Martin of Realign Design will be on hand to record the stories and prepare a design for a panel of the tapestry which will be completed before the end of the year as a pilot project.
Sarah says that while a lot of women have expressed interest in getting involved in the project, men have been slower to come forward. She points out that men can get involved by contributing to the story telling element and won’t be forced to do embroidery!
An embroidery stitching training workshop taking place on Saturday is booked out but people can still take part in the stitching sessions which take place daily in Creative Spark from December 10th to 21st.
Local artist Una Curley, who specialises in textiles, will be on hand each day from 10am to 12pm, to help out with the stitching of the first large panel to be completed this year.
This promises to be a lovely way to escape the Christmas rush, enjoy a chat and a cup of coffee and contribute to a project which will become part of our heritage.
Following this pilot stage of the project, it’s hoped to expand the project to other areas of the county next year so that all communities can tell their story in the panels which will then make up a large tapestry.
For further information on how to get involved contact Creative Spark at hello@creativespark.ie