The Abingdon Handover

Last week I was called to the Mayor of Abingdon's parlour to witness the hand over of The Abingdon Tapestry. Five students from Larkmead School delivered the tapestry. The students had worked on the project as part of their Arts Award, and had supported and encouraged both their local and school communities to participate in the weaving and so contribute to the making of the tapestry. The Mayor was wearing his official chain of office to receive, the tapestry was formally handed over and some photographs were taken for posterity. Community artist Helen Jacobs, one of two community artists who led the project, attended the ceremony also. The tapestry will ultimately hang either in the newly refurbished Abingdon Guildhall or in the Museum. These buildings are currently undergoing refurbishment due to be completed in Summer 2012 when the tapestry will be installed . News re installation will be posted here as soon as we have it.

The Abingdon Tapestry is complete

The Big Weave visited Larkmead school in Oxfordshire for the final day's training of community tapestry weaving. During Abingdon Arts Festival local community artists Helen Jacobs and Emily Cooling worked on the tapestry alongside Larkmead's Yr 9 community arts team and the Oxfordshire Guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers. The loom was taken out into Abingdon Market Place, to local primary schools and to day centres in order that the local community could weave in their thread. The project was greeted with much enthusiasm and even featured on a spot for BBC Oxfordshire news.

The tapestry is now complete and the result is stunning. The Abingdon tapestry is to hang in the newly refurbished Abingdon Guild Hall, where all those who wove into it will be able to enjoy the final outcome. The experience has been rewarding and inspiring for all who took part and already there are two tapestry weaving projects planned as a direct follow on from The Big Weave visit - watch this space for more opportunities to get involved weaving.

Latest pics from Abingdon

At Larkmead School

In Abingdon Market Place

At a local primary school

Pictures from Abingdon Market Place

Weaving progress

A recent pic of progress on the Abingdon Tapestry

Progress with The Abingdon Tapestry

It was the second day of The Big Weave training at Larkmead School today, many hands helped make light work of the weaving and great progress was made.

The Abingdon Tapestry is ready to roll.

Training Day 1 and The Abingdon Tapestry is off to a flying start at Larkmead School. Twelve Year 9 students along with their art teacher, members of the Oxford Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers and two community artists all joined The Big Weave artists to get the tapestry up and running. At the end of the day the loom was warped up, yarn hanks wound into balls, butterflies prepared, the design scaled up and transferred to the loom and the hem woven. An excellent days work and the scene is set to start weaving on the tapestry tomorrow. Some photos from the day shown below.