Craftspace

The Project Group, based in Oswestry in Shropshire, worked with Craftspace to organise five masterclass workshops with leading artists between February and June 2008.

The Project Group have existing skills and have been producing art commissions for the public sector and some products for a local market. The aim of this series of workshops is to skill the members further and raise the quality and ambition of their creative work.

The first masterclass took place in February 2008 and continued the award winning partnership between VSM and Craftspace and internationally known textile artist Karina Thompson.

The masterclass gave the group the opportunity to experiment with Pfaff sewing machines with the aim of producing pieces which they could further develop for the retail market. The artist introduced the group to new textile techniques.

The masterclass also challenged the perception that men don’t do creative textiles: historically men knitted fishing and farming nets and produced embroidery.

New Textile Masterclass with Quilters’ Guild

Craftspace’s award winning partnership with VSM continued with a further textiles masterclass in Oswestry led by Karina Thompson with members of the The Quilter’s Guild of the British Isles. Members of The Project Group joined the quilters, Karina and VSM staff to explore the potential of the Pfaff sewing machines and to learn new skills together. The masterclasses ended with an inspirational sharing afternoon and a joint tour round Made in the Middle at the Qube Gallery in Oswestry. Thank you to everyone who participated to make this series such a success: lead artist Karina, Sheila, Pam, Adrian, Tom and Mike from VSM, all participants from The Project Group and The Quilter’s Guild of the British Isles.

The residency marked the end of VSM’s fantastic sponsorship of Made in the Middle 2006. Thank you VSM for being such supportive partners and friends. We look forward to a continuing partnership.

When we decided to sponsor this project we expected it to be stimulating, however we never expected it to be so inspiring and fun!  The Project Group is clearly a very special organisation...It has been great to get to know you and we look forward to seeing you develop your textile skills over the coming years 

Mike Harris, MD, VSM (UK) Ltd..

Artists

Karina Thompson

Curation And Partners

VSM (UK) Ltd  and Craftspace have received an investment from the Arts & Business Investment Programme.

The Project Group in Oswestry has received funding from the European Regional Development fund through the Shropshire Regenerating Communities Action Plan. For information about the project group please go to their website.