A NEW textiles exhibition launches today at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre and runs until March 9.
A Stitch in Time is a collaboration by Needlecraft for Wellbeing co-ordinator Niki Doughty Lee and the sessional facilitator for Underground Lights Community Theatre Frankie Robson.
NeedleCraft for Wellbeing holds weekly sessions at the Belgrade, where members of the community socialise whilst creating knitted crafts.
They have been unable to meet during lockdown, so this project provides them with the chance to continue working to a shared goal.
Underground Lights Community Theatre is one of the Belgrade’s Springboard companies and the theatre is proud to nurture new talent, providing a space for those companies to run workshops, rehearse, and perform.
Underground Lights’ workshops are run for and by adults experiencing social disadvantage, homelessness or mental health issues in Coventry and Warwickshire. Their work has moved online during the pandemic.
A Stitch in Time will be an immersive display which will feature different stories and themes told through poetry from members of Underground Lights accompanied by knitted crafts from NeedleCraft for Wellbeing participants.
Reflecting lockdown as a screenshot in time, the display will take a sincere look into the experiences of members of both groups.
NeedleCraft for Wellbeing includes knitted emoji faces and flowers.
Niki welcomed the opportunity for the Craft On! group, which meets to alleviate social isolation, to work with Underground Lights
“We have been unable to meet face-to-face during lockdown but this project has enabled a group of people to stay connected and create something worthwhile using a range of different skills.”
Frankie added: “A Stitch in Time is a really interesting and cool concept and I’m very excited to see how people resonate with the display.
“Giving the artists free rein to knit what the poetry made them feel has created some really interesting art which is not to be missed.”
QR codes on the display will allow users to donate to NeedleCraft for Wellbeing and Underground Lights and to allow viewers to find out more on the artists behind the poetry and knitted crafts.
