Past Events/Exhibitions
“A Sense of Place”
July-August 2023; Nature in Art, Wallsworth Hall, Gloucestershire
September 2023; Nottingham Society of Artists, Friar Lane, Nottingham
Sense of place is important to everyone whether it is a location, the beings around us, an emotion, time, memory or all of the above. We explored what it means to live in the world, take notice of our surroundings and find our place. From inspirational starting points our members took individual creative journeys developing process and technique to respond to our theme
“Identity”
May-October 2023; Southwell Workhouse and Infirmary (National Trust), Nottingham
In 2023 the theme for Southwell Workhouse and Infirmary was Identity. Midlands Textile Forum used this as our starting point to explore the interiors and exteriors of the workhouse - its history, human stories and legacy. Each participating artist developed their work through research and visits to the site
“Evolve”
July-August 2022; Town Hall, Bishops Castle, Shropshire
October 2022; Weavers Gallery, Ledbury, Herefordshire
From inspirational starting points we have used the theme of EVOLVE to respond to changes in the world around us
“Discoveries”
August to September 2019; Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffordshire
The exhibition Discoveries was about our creative journey as textile artists. Some used the theme to produce a body of work based on ‘discoverers’, whether scientists, writers, explorers, or on events or places. Others explored internal thoughts, feelings and reflections. Along the way we found new techniques and ways to work
“No Shrinking Violets: Sewing the Seeds of Equality”
June to August, 2018; Nicholson Institute, Leek, Staffordshire
March, 2018; NEC; Birmingham
A celebration of the centenary of 1918 Representation of the People Act which gave women over 30 the right to a vote. We took the theme of women’s suffrage and the impact of casting a vote to trace histories from the past that resonate with today
“The Lie of the Land”
August to September, 2017; Town Hall, Bishops Castle, Shropshire
The focus of this exhibition was on landscape and our response to places we have visited. Our works travelled the world from India to the Amazon rainforests from English canals to the wide oceans
“Earth’s Riches”
March to April, 2017; The Lally Gallery, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Earth’s Riches gave us an opportunity to take inspiration from everything connected with the earth, whether we meant the planet itself, rocks and minerals, plants and trees. While some work focused on landscape other pieces chronicled the impact of humankind on the earth
“Ten Years On”
January, 2017; Artrix, Bromsgove, Worcestershire
2017 was the tenth anniversary of the Midlands Textile Forum. This exhibition celebrated our work for the last decade and honoured members of the group no longer with us
“Earth’s Riches”
March to April 2016; Fusion Gallery, Jackfield, Ironbridge
Earth’s Riches gave us an opportunity to take inspiration from everything connected with the earth, whether we meant the planet itself, rocks and minerals, plants and trees. While some work focused on landscape other pieces chronicled the impact of humankind on the earth
“Remnants and Traces”
October, 2015; Lighthouse Media Centre, Wolverhampton
February to April 2015; Newman Brothers Coffin Works, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham
This series of linked exhibitions traced our personal responses to Newman Brothers Coffin Fitting Factory. We visited the building pre and post restoration, looked at its history and contents finding interest in small details, observing and noting what remains of the evidence left behind. We were inspired by memory, the act of remembering, mortality, commemoration and funerary practices
"Natural Threads" Part of “H-Art” Hereford Art Week
September 2014; Ardvaark Books, The Bookery, Manor Farm, Brampton Bryan, Bucknell, Herefordshire SY7 ODH.
Working with natural fibres, using weaving, felting, dyeing
Nature in Art – “Following a thread”
April 2014; Wallworth Galley, GL2 9PA
An exhibition showcasing the current work of members. One of the strengths of MTF has always been the diversity of creative practice and techniques featured with both traditional and contemporary work highlighted
“Thread and Thrum“
September 2013; Ardvaark Books, The Bookery, Manor Farm, Brampton Bryan, Bucknell, Herefordshire SY7 ODH.
An exhibition showcasing the current work of members. One of the strengths of MTF has always been the diversity of creative practice and techniques featured with both traditional and contemporary work highlighted
“Stretching Boundaries”
6th June 2013 – 21st July 2013; Redditch Needle Museum, Redditch, Worcs
1st May 2013 – 4th June 2013; Secret Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, Shropshire.
A travelling exhibition on the theme of boundaries, with an added size limitation
“Festivals and Celebrations”
7th November 2012 – 3rd February 2013; Public Gallery, West Bromwich.
A highly acclaimed exploration of the gallery’s theme of “What is Art?”. Textile Art in a futuristic setting.
“Legacy”
16th April 2012 – 27th May 2012; St Martin’s Church in the Bull Ring, Birmingham
St Martin Arts is a registered charity working to engage people in new, thought provoking and uplifting experiences of the arts.
We were proud to join with this city centre arts venue to provide an exhibition showing the best of contemporary and traditional textile art.
“Out of the Wardrobe, Fashioning a Life”
14th January – 4th March 2012; Newcastle Museum and Art Gallery, Brampton Park, Newcastle under Lyme
Centred on the Betty Smither’s Design Collection, the exhibition featured costume from the 20 Century. Students from Stafford University joined with members of the Forum to gain access to this collection and to produce textile works inspired by it
“Inspired by Flora”
10th September – 5th November 2011; Nicholson Institute, Leek, North Staffordshire
The work displayed was extremely varied both in scale and content and showcased the best of traditional and contemporary textile art
A subsequent article in the “Spinners, Weavers and Dyers Journal” gave this exhibition an excellent review.