exhibitions
East cheshire eye society celebrate 150 years
Saturday 29th March to Saturday 19th April
East Cheshire Eye Society has been supporting local people affected by vision impairments since 1875. To celebrate our 150th anniversary we are holding an art competition for local schools. We are delighted to exhibit the winning art works at The Silk Museum.
Children will create artwork showing local places that are special to them. They will consider how their work can be enjoyed by people with low vision. We look forward to enjoying a wide variety of works including painting, collage, sculpture, sound and more.
The Eye Society was formed by the ladies of the Macclesfield, many of whom were the wives and daughters of the silk mill owners. They intended to support local people who had low vision or who developed sight loss as, at the time, even highly skilled workers could lose their jobs in the silk industry if their sight failed. Initially, the Eye Society taught Moon, Braille and alternative employment skills.
150 years later, we offer support through technology training, information, advice, support groups and more.
The exhibition will be complimented with a programme of activities. To see the details visit our What’s On page.
TEMPORARY WITH A VIEW TO BEING PERMANENT
April 25th - 26th / April 30th - May 3rd
A joint exhibition celebrating 40 years of marriage
Jann and Mike Thorpe
For the first time, artists Jann and Mike Thorpe are collaborating in a joint exhibition, Temporary with a View to Being Permanent. This multimedia show combines textiles, print and projection, and invites viewers to consider the fleeting and the enduring nature of memory – a theme resonating in both their personal and artistic lives. Marking a shared journey, the exhibition reflects the essence of their partnership, which has been four decades in the making.
And the story behind the title? Come along and find out!
Inspired by…
Corridor Gallery, Thurs 27th Feb to Sat 29th March
The Level 3 Extended Diploma art students from Macclesfield College have been set a live brief to work in response to a primary research trip to the museum. They have conducted primary research, tested out their ideas and planned and produced an outcome in response to a visit to the Silk Museum.
This is your opportunity to see what they have produced. It’s going to be something very special with a wide range of styles and media.
Variety is the spice of life
Wed 2nd April to Sat 26th April
‘Have a Dabble’ are a group of artists who attend weekly classes run by the artist and teacher Julie Longbottom.
Groups don’t know from one week to the next what is coming their way! Julie mixes things up and offers different styles and techniques. This variety is celebrated in this exhibition of their work.
The classes run on Fridays (9 - 12 and 1 - 4). New members are always welcome. Further information, including a booking link, can be found on our ‘What’s on’ webpage.
PROJECT INC - STUDENT INSTALLATION
Installed in the Machine Gallery
In this work made by the students of Pinc College, we have picked out an extravagant piece of machinery from within the museum to create a collaborative artwork with the Silk Museum.
One of our students has photographed the silk loom to which we have printed out on a large scale and divided up into 24 equal squares. The students have been tasked to choose a square to trace and transfer to a tetra pack, where they would etch and carve out the key factors of their chosen image. Some doing more squares than others.
The process we used is called ‘intaglio’. After the etchings were complete, they were then printed onto paper where we would arrange them all back together to create the overall image.
Unfortunately, upon seeing them all together, we realised that the overall image lacked coherency, it wasn’t clear to see how it all lined up. As a solution, we photographed each square and lined them up together digitally using a software called ‘Procreate’, making sure the image was decipherable for all who saw.
We were discussing the best possible ways to present the work when the thought came to mind, given the fact that this was to be presented in the silk museum, why not have it presented on a silk banner?
And so we all picked out a silk we thought was best suited for the final outcome and sent out a request for it to be printed Thus giving us the work you see before you right now.
By Abbie Massey
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.”
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.
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.
To find out about our events in advance sign up to our newsletter.