The project invited textile artists to donate a textile panel ready to be stitched together for exhibition in 2022. Working to a template, each contributor made a visual record of their thoughts and feelings during the pandemic, accompanied by 200 words. The pieces will then raise money for the charity Mind through a silent auction.
The Covid Chronicle tour started in February in Surrey at the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, and after a month in Chippenham will continue to Woking, Birkenhead and Stoke-on-Trent. The piece includes several local submissions, with Kington Langley WI and local resident Michelle Chapman also featured.Wendy Bliss, founder of the project, said “The Covid Chronicle needs to be seen to be truly appreciated: the thought, skill and detail with which the work has been made comes through vividly when you see the passion within each piece, colour on colour, stitch by stitch”.
Local textile artist Fi Redmond submitted a textile square to the project and describes what inspired her to take part: “A year ago, interesting statements popped up on my Instagram feed ‘Tell your Covid story in stitch and be part of a big tapestry. Separately and together we can make art’. To me these were irresistible words, and a stitcher’s call to arms.”
Fi Redmond continues: “When Wendy was looking for exhibition venues, Chippenham Museum was an obvious choice. It is so exciting that the Chronicle will be exhibited in Chippenham, showing how very many stitchers have answered the call, not just here in Wiltshire, but worldwide.”
- On Tuesday 11 April, the museum’s Crafty Café is hosting a free Meet the Artist event with Fi Redmond (booking essential).
- On Thursday 21 April, young crafters aged 8 and over can join Fi to Make a Textile Art Mini-Me (£8, booking essential).
- For families, drop-in on Tuesday 12 and 19 April to Create Your Own Bunting (free) and find out about adding to the museum’s Joy of Community Jubilee Bunting Project.
- Quiet Time Sessions 9am – 10am on both days are also available (booking essential) for those who would find the busy nature of these events uncomfortable.
- Open until the end of April, families, individuals, groups and schools are invited to create a triangle of bunting that represents what community means to them. A template is available from the museum, with dimensions and more details at: https://bit.ly/ChippenhamJubileeBunting.
