Museum at Night Event

I am hopeless at remembering to take photos at events - guess I'm too busy talking and organising! Anyway the above event was a great success - 7 members (you know who you are and a big thank-you) set up stall demonstrating different techniques and letting the visitors have a go. We all worked solidly for the 2 hour event helping everyone from a very keen 6 year old girl to a middle-aged man on his own.

It was fabulous to see such a diverse group of people who were genuinely interested in what we were doing. The adult workshops, taking place on 24th May, have also received lots of bookings so after the children's workshop that Sue Blackburn and I run, we can count Letchworth as more than fulfilling ERTF's brief - despite the slow start at the private view.

Museums at Night - Letchworth

The Owen Jones exhibition will be available to view as part of the nationwide event: Museums at Night. Please click on the poster to enlarge.

ERTF- Presents Owen Jones 9th April- 28th May 2011

Click on the image to make it larger.

First Workshop!

We had a fully booked children's workshop on Saturday - 15 in the morning and 12 in the afternoon. Carol Sutherland lead the day - so well organised - and Frances Austen-Hardy and Coral Skelsey (plus their Mum, Doris) and me, has wonderful day with a lot of well-behaved, motivated children - it was an absolutely delight. Some of the children had obvious talent so I told them about the excellent Embroiderers Guild Young Embroiderers in Chelmsford run by Libby Smith. When I went to the EG meeting Monday evening, 2 messages had already been received about new recruits to the YEG. Result! Speading the word and getting the young involved. It makes it all worthwhile.

Owen Jones Private View

Last night was the private view of ERTF's Owen Jones project at Chelmsford Museum. One of ERTF's aims is to promote textile art to schools and museums in our region. This exhibition works on two levels, as a learning tool and as an exhibition of textile work. The research and sketch books for each work is available to view, it's possible to see how the artist approaches their work. There is a display of information on Owen Jones life and work. A programme of workshops is available for schools, universities and adult beginners.

The work in the exhibition is varied and covers textile mediums from Lace to Wearable Art, so something to interest most. The reviews that were received last night from the many visitors were very positive. There were bookings made for the workshops and even two new members for ERTF. Even Owen Jones made some converts, a few visitors told me they were ashamed they had never heard of OJ! They have now so I think ERTF can claim a success in bringing OJ to the masses.

This exhibition will be travelling around the region over the next two years, so if you cant get to Chelmsford Museum, if you wait this exhibition will be visiting a MUSEUM NEAR YOU! Watch this space for further information.

At Chelmsford until 27th March 2011.

It's Up!!!

Meant to take load of photos of us all working away to hang the exhibition yesterday but got so involved in the work I forgot. Anyway, the exhibition has been hung at Chelmsford, thank you to George (Lorraine's hubby) and Bob (Doreen's hubby) who were there is assist Ian, the Museum's technician who was new to the job as of course, George and Bob are old hands having hung Cambridge! Thanks to Doreen and Kirsten too. We made light of it and finished in about 4 hours. Anyway it looks fab - great selection of work and the information banners and sheets put together by the committee really pull it together and make it work as an educational tool as well as an exhibition.

The exhibition space is amazing so local groups please consider this for your own exhibitions as Chelmsford Museum have also been a delight to work with.

The workshop programme was well supported by the exhibiting members - so thank you one and all - the start of a two year road trip!

ERTF- OWEN JONES EXHIBITION

Click to enlarge images.......

Chelmsford Museum Private View

Most members will have received their invite via their rep or Essex members direct from the museum. Members and their guests are invited to the private view 21st Jan 7-9pm at Chelmsford Museum, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 9AQ

Publicity

As part of the Owen Jones travelling exhibition we are making provision for members to promote themselves free of charge of the next two years! Please send a pack of your business cards (normal size please) to Lorraine Traer-Clark. These will be displayed in special stands at all the venues.

If you don't know my address then please contact me through the ERTF web site.