Stitchers inc delighted by response to textiles showcase at Mill Tye Gallery in Great Cornard

thomas.malina@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 13:45, 07 October 2021

An art collective enjoyed a strong debut appearance at a Great Cornard gallery as they showcased the fruits of their labours over the last 18 months.

Mill Tye Gallery launched the ‘Another Stitch in the Wall’ exhibition on Saturday, bringing together a range of textile artwork by Stitchers inc, a group of artists from south Suffolk and north Essex that formed 10 years ago.

The displays are based on the theme of walls and boundaries, with work including homage to garden and field walls, an exploration of unique architecture and a symbol of walls that come between people and families.

'Another Stitch in the Wall' is a textiles exhibition launching at Mill Tye Gallery in great Cornard..PICTURED: Artist Liz Pilkington with her work ...Picture by Mecha Morton.... (51851981)

Dot Ronaldson, a member of Stitchers inc for three years, told Suffolk News that their inaugural visit to Mill Tye was delayed by a year due to coronavirus, but they were delighted to finally share their creations with the public.

“It was really delightful because it was so nice to see all the work coming together,” said Dot, of Wickham St Paul. “It was very well attended and we had some lovely comments.

“Everyone in the group has different skills and areas of expertise. Within the exhibition, you will see eight very different styles of work but, because we have the same theme, there’s a coherency to it all.

'Another Stitch in the Wall' is a textiles exhibition launching at Mill Tye Gallery in great Cornard..PICTURED: Gallery work experience Olivia Mardon with some of the pieces...Picture by Mecha Morton..... (51851970)

“It shows the benefits of creativity during all the problems we’ve had in the last two years, and how lovely it was to be able to work as a group, even if some of it was over Zoom. It was beneficial to all of us.”

Along with Dot, the other members of Stitchers inc are Carolyn Dilloway, Jane Baston, Jill Duffy, Julia Pearce, Juliet Day, Liz Pilkington, Margaret Kay, Pauline Wilson and the group’s founder and mentor Alex Waylett.

Mill Tye Gallery director Peter Rumsey added: “It was a great weekend. Although sales were lower than expected, we had a very busy weekend, especially on Saturday, when we were open until 7pm.”

'Another Stitch in the Wall' is a textiles exhibition launching at Mill Tye Gallery in great Cornard..PICTURED: Artist Jill Duffy and her work ...Picture by Mecha Morton.... (51851964)

The exhibition runs until October 31. For more information on this and future events, click here.

'Another Stitch in the Wall' is a textiles exhibition launching at Mill Tye Gallery in great Cornard..PICTURED: Artist Margaret Kay and her work ...Picture by Mecha Morton.... (51851965)

Art Sudbury Thomas Malina