Stitching & Stories
Workshop with Ruth Broadway
Wednesday 19 February 2025, 11am - 1pm / 2pm - 4pm
FREE, drop-in
Venue: MAKE Southwest
Suitable for: All ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Level: All Abilities
Join MAKE Southwest Maker Member, Ruth Broadway, who will be running a free drop-in activity in our Riverside Gallery as part of the Art of Fiction exhibition.
Ruth will demonstrate some simple sewing techniques alongside encouraging participants to contribute their own personal stories and histories into the activity.
No experience of sewing or embroidery is necessary.
This activity is open to all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants are welcome to stay for some or all of the advertised session. No Booking required.
Please note that this is an informal ‘drop-in’ event and whilst Ruth will try to accommodate as many people as possible, activity spaces may be limited at times.
This workshop has been funded by Exeter University and the Arts Humanities Research Council.
About Ruth
My work captures things at the cusp of change – a moon, a moth, the tide. Using the physical acts of stitching, binding, folding, printing, collecting & preserving to tether the ephemeral, I try to use the ritual of daily noticing, recording and making to foster mindfulness and appreciation of the quiet transformation happening around us. Inspired by traditional folk craft, I embrace the prosaic nature of these techniques to create work that becomes love-letters to the passing of time, transformation and the fragility of life.
My work is a walk through the [deep dark] woods even when you find yourself in the city. I like to discover forgotten and disregarded things; a moulted feather, a lip-stick blot, fingerprints on a mirror, an old love letter or shopping list. To me these found things that have been cast off either unnoticed or because of their insignificance, become an opportunity to tenderly work subtle interventions and try and tell their stories.
My work is influenced by nature and the marks we leave behind and trying to preserve both. I find myself constantly trying to straddle the gap between human control and ordering of data, formation and display and letting nature, the elements, life cycles and time take the lead – adapting my materials according, and in response to, a situation or object as I find it. I want to be able to retain and catch a transient moment, thing or memory and hold it forever; preserving it in some form; solidifying something that barely exists. Saving or documenting it before it’s lost forever.
On the Day
All tools and materials will be provided.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are included and will be available on the day. Our Café is also open should you wish to purchase other refreshments during the workshop - all participants receive a 10% discount voucher for food and drink purchased on the day.
On arrival, please make your way to the side gate of the Riverside Mill, through the courtyard and up the stone stairs on the side of the building. Please let us know if you require the lift.
Please be aware that you cannot use the Co-op car park for all day parking. The Methodist Church car park and Station Road car park usually have plenty of spaces. Click here for more information on our location and car parking for the day.
View MAKE Southwest's Cancellation Policy, HERE.