Become part of Reading's textile history with artist Charlotte Hollis
28 Jan 2025-1 Feb 2025
You can become part of this textile history of Reading by dropping in to the Jelly studio and adding your voice to our resident artist Charlotte’s embroidery project, which is inspired by historical figure Lady Ratcliffe.
You’ll talk to Charlotte as she stitches a blackwork embroidery design of your choice on a long piece of aida fabric and records your name and a few words you choose to describe yourself. Finally, Charlotte will take your photo and ask you to sign the project book, so you’ll be remembered as part of the fabric of Reading. Just bring yourself and a willingness to chat.
Too often have women and their art have been lost to history, and Lady Ratcliffe is no exception. We have Hans Holbien’s beautiful sketch of her– but we don’t know which of the several Lady Ratcliffes at Henry VIII’s court the sketch depicts. Her piercing eyes and the blackwork on her shift drew artist Charlotte Hollis to her, and urged her to demonstrate the outrage at her loss to history in stitch.
Charlotte is determined to empower the women (cis/trans/non-binary, and any age over 5) of Reading to be remembered in stitch.
You don't need to book a ticket - feel free to drop in throughout the sessions.
Looking for something to do, rather than something to see? We've got all manner of classes and workshops, plus games, escape rooms and other interactive activities. There's something for everyone, from dance, to arts and crafts, to food and drink and the odd bit of geekery, too!
