Tapestry Friends meet with Burns' canapes .. and more!

Friends gather for updates and future plans

Our tapestries exhibitions team, Sharon Beck and Arran Johnston (below) were on hand to greet over 40 members of the Friends of [Both] The Tapestries at the Prestoungrange Gothenburg on Saturday 24th January. They were joined by Andrew, Gillian and Yvonne. Since it was Burns' weekend, the Global Panels were displayed - you can see Burns and his giant haggis in the centre of the photograph! Haggis balls topped the bill at the buffet, whilst old friends and new took the chance to catch up.



But there was also plenty of business on the agenda too, and Gordon Prestoungrange steered the assembled enthusiasts through the order of the day. The 2015 touring plans for the Prestonpans Tapestry were summarised, starting with New Lanark Mills where it is currently on display until 19th March, and then details of the Diaspora Tapestry's European Tour 2015 were announced. It's off to Bergen in Norway March/ April and across Western Europe until October. The full schedule is available at the Exhibitions pages on the website - HERE

Volunteers to drive the white van and to talk the embroidery talk were sought, and many came forward for Europe and later beyond.



There was other news too

The eventual total of panels expected for March 31st 2015 will be 305. As they arrive and are blocked and backed, displays will be arranged of the 'final' new artworks in The Prestoungrange Gothenburg until May 20th - after which they will be off to their first total exhibition in Veere, The Netherlands, opening May 30th.

... and the 2nd Edition containing all 305 of the Official Guide is expected to be in print in time for Veere. It will cost £20 soft back and £30 case bound - with each panel receiving one case bound copy gratis. How that shares around for multiple stitchers will for ever remain one of life's mysteries ... as will how each entitled stitcher takes delivery.

Arran Johnston explained how he was working at the University of the West of Scotland to evaluate the significance of the Diaspora Tapestry for which reason he will be seeking to hear from all those involved in the stitching or designing of panels.

Gordon Prestoungrange also announced the exciting news that, after five years of discussions, the Prestonpans Tapestry has now received In Principle Planning Consent for a permanent home in Prestonpans at Prestongrange Heritage Museum. There'll be a fresh fundraising campaign coming soon since £2 million is going to be needed!

But of course the star of the afternoon was Rosemary Farmer (below) from Australia, one of the two stitchers behind the new Art of Narative Embroidery book which was launched at the event. Sadly her colleague Maggie Ferguson could not be with us, but Rosemary was able to address the gathering and receive warm praise for their combined efforts. The book is now available for purchase on line HERE, and it was certainly flying off the table on Saturday!