Saturday 17 August 2024
New tapestry reveals hidden stories of Calderdale's women leaders
All September 9-5 Monday to Friday
The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Hopwood Lane, Halifax.
On Friday 30 August at the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre in Halifax a new woven artwork will be unveiled, highlighting the rich and diverse untold stories of the women driving the cultural life of Calderdale.
The artwork forms the culmination of the Woven Warriors project which was set up by local artist Lucy Arden and writer Miranda Roszkowski to shed light on the often overlooked stories of women dedicating their working lives to the people of the area and to inspire future female leaders.
Miranda Roszkowski, Lucy Arden, Judy Gannon, Holly Lynch
and Maura Wilson at the Elsie Whitely Centre
Twelve local leaders have been invited to take part by attending a series of workshops and creating a unique tapestry to tell the story of their lives and values, in celebration of their struggles, achievements and the many other women who shaped them. Given the rich weaving history of Calderdale the tapestry highlights contemporary lives in our borough and celebrates our shared history.
These inspiring leaders represent organisations such as the charity St Augustine's, WomenCentre, Halifax Opportunities Trust, and include the founders of Halifax's women in business network, of the Community Foundation For Calderdale, of Light Up Black and African Heritage Calderdale, of disability charity Access the Arts chair of the ramblers and former senior councillors, as well as outgoing Halifax MP Holly Lynch.
The project is inspired by the life and work of Doreen Pickles, a local weaver, trade unionist and lecturer who championed the rights of others throughout her life, and left a legacy to the "advancing women's involvement in progressive politics and campaigns" when she died in 2020. The unveiling celebration takes place on what would have been Doreen's 100th birthday and will bring together local dignitaries, the friends and families of the women behind the artwork and those that knew Doreen.
Lucy and Miranda successfully bid for funding for Woven Warriors last year while Miranda was 8 months pregnant and Lucy also juggling childcare and her artistic practice, with panel chair Holly Lynch saying she was "blown away" by the pitch. They wanted to showcase the amazing achievements by women who are often managing caring and other responsibilities alongside their day jobs and passion projects and are all "warriors" in their own right.
Following the unveiling, the artwork will be given pride of place on the walls of the Elsie Whiteley Centre, before moving to the Halifax library and other local public spaces, to ensure as many people as possible can view the tapestry and be inspired by the stories behind it. For further information please contact wovenwarriorshfax@gmail.com