exhibitions
Image: credit MaccreateThe Women’s Line by Maccreate
September 6th - October 5th
The Silk Museum is delighted to be hosting a new exhibition The Women’s Line, which explores the female line in ancestry through art. It has been co-ordinated by Maccreate and led by Tyra Till. Tyra put a call out to women in the Macclesfield area to participate in artist-led workshops that were inspired by their ancestors. They will present their female line artistically through highly personalised mixed-media portraits and memories.
The exhibition is the culmination of the project, which has taken place throughout the summer with regular workshops held in the Silk Museum and Art Space.
Save the date for a special launch celebration on September 14th from 2-4pm at the Silk Museum, with refreshments, music and performances. Look out for other events such as discussions and arts workshops during its run.
Image:Geoff Findlow with the first ever Macclesfield FC team image.
Celebrating 150 years of Football in Macclesfield
A new display in the Silk Museum
We have kicked off football season with a new display relating to Macclesfield’s football history, with a particular focus on Macclesfield Town FC. Many of the items have come from a private collector, Geoff Findlow, alongside relevant objects from the museum’s own collection.
Come and explore the origins of football in Macclesfield, learn about the history and significance of Macclesfield FC as it is known today and what it means to be a fan. Discover more about Macclesfield’s footballing heroes, the development of the women’s game locally, and the connections between football and silk.
The display is being funded through a partnership including Geoff Findlow and his former colleague Rob Bickerton, who was once Chair of Macclesfield Town FC.
NEW CHILDRENSWEAR DISPLAY
Open now
A new display at Silk Museum reveals previously unseen garments from the childrenswear collection, which are on display for the first time.
The collection features items such as christening gowns and dresses, which have been donated to the museum over the years for them to care for – conserving clothing from as far back as the Victorian era.
It is part of a project to document and check the condition of the items in the collection and share them with museum visitors. It has been supported by a grant from the AIM and Arts Scholars Charitable Trust Brighter Day scheme.
Around 280 items have been meticulously checked and photographed by curator Emily Lashford, who is also highlighting the way that clothes were repaired and re-used in the past.
The clothing, including Edwardian sailor suits, will be displayed around the Silk Museum amongst the collections. There will be displays amongst the industrial machinery. This follows consultation with the museum’s younger visitors.
Emily held a workshop with children and young people who gave their thoughts about how they like to experience objects in the museum. Popular feedback was about interacting with objects and being able to touch things.
Emily says: “We’re obviously not able to have lots of little hands on silk dresses, but we have taken all this on board and have created a dressing up station and a panel where we display samples of fabrics. We have also got examples from the era such as facsimile copies of a Victorian school book. Hopefully, these will allow children of all ages to be able to engage more with the collections.”
Upcoming Exhibition - The people of paradise Mill
Wed 16th Oct - Sat 16th Nov
This exhibition has been curated by the History Hunters, a friendly group of volunteers who meet weekly at the Silk Museum to help uncover the hidden stories within the archives and collections of the Silk Museum and Paradise Mill.
Looking at all types of source materials from catalogue books and account registers, to machine parts and textiles, this exhibition focuses on the people of Paradise Mill and occupier Cartwright and Sheldon.
It also includes a display of artistic interpretations created by the History Hunters of the people and stories that have inspired them.
(History Hunters meet at the Silk Museum every Thursday afternoon from 1 - 3 pm. If you are interested in finding out more about them and volunteering for the museum please contact info@silkmacclesfield.org.uk)
What’s on
The Silk Museum hosts a changing programme of exhibitions and workshops all year round. From guided walks around Macclesfield to family activities we run workshops for all abilities and ages.
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