Wrapped in Our Stories, The Magic of Our Clothes
Workshop with Olivia Beckwith
Friday 20 March 2026, 10.30am - 4.30pm
£70
Venue: MAKE Southwest
Suitable for: Adults
Level: All Abilities
Unlock the power and significance of our clothes through a creative story telling and textiles making talk and workshop with ‘Flow State’ exhibitor, Olivia Beckwith of Story Vessel.
Please bring a treasured garment to the session to use as inspiration. You will leave the workshop with your own embroidered and appliqued ‘Story bag’ to keep which tells the story of your garment.
Olivia will share her textiles work and her MA research into the practice of artists Celia Pym, Ruth Singer and Allan Brown (The Nettle Dress) and their ability to hep us reappraise what material ‘value’ means. Through hands on making and exploring the stories of our clothes you are invited to join us in sharing the power of the ritualistic and meditative ‘flow states’ to be found in the experience of stitching our stories in a warm and nurturing environment.
Fabrics, embroidery threads and bag will be provided.
About Olivia
Olivia Beckwith is an artist, illustrator, creative facilitator and poet. She seeks to spark human connections through deeply personal narratives using a broad variety of media.
She is interested in the quiet and unseen nature of domestic objects and places and how they anchor us, holding our stories. Her work illuminates the value accumulated through repeated daily use by creating intricate embroidered felt replicas of these personal totems. Sites and ephemera become vessels for emotion, memory and identity with cultural and spiritual significance.
This body of work is a sacred love letter to her father who raised her in their tiny miner’s cottage in the wild landscapes of the far west of Cornwall. Inspired by his handmade jumper - an emotional anchor for his life living with Lewy Bodies Dementia, she shares stories of their close, magical relationship and explores the dynamic of shifting familial roles that accompany ageing.
On the Day
All tools and materials will be provided. Please do wear comfortable / old clothing - aprons will be provided if needed.
Please bring a treasured garment to the session to use as inspiration. Fabrics, embroidery threads and bag will be provided.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are included and will be available on the day. There will be a short lunch break during the workshop and participants are welcome to bring a packed lunch. Our Café is also open should you wish to purchase other refreshments during the workshop.
Workshop participants get 10% off in Rodney’s Café, our exhibitions, and our shop on the day of the workshop! Just show your booking confirmation email or your ticket at the till to receive your discount.
On arrival, please enter the building via the shop, follow the arrows to the café, through the galleries and up the internal stairs. Make your way through the café and through the glass double doors to the workshop. 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.