Behind the scenes of the final stages of the exhibition (which is now open!)
Mary Linwood Rediscovered
Sat 4 Oct 11am-12pm
Talk by exhibition curator Ruth Singer (with BSL). Rediscover Mary Linwood in this illustrated presentation by the exhibition artist and curator Ruth Singer
Leicester Guildhall. £10 / £8
The last couple of weeks have been frantic, finishing everything off for the Mary Linwood exhibition. I spent a week sewing up the last few things, framing and finishing my work, then packing it all in plastic bags to spend 3 days in the museum’s conservation freezer. I use a lot of old fabrics and wool so I wanted to make absolutely sure I wasn’t bringing in any moths into the museum!
The museum team did most of the installation and by the time I arrived mid-week, it was looking almost complete. I assisted with the ephemera (paper documents) and other small objects going in cases, and identifying things that look almost the same.
I spent a lot of time matching labels to objects and checking everything was in the right place. We also installed my work, putting my pieces into cases and adding perspex covers – then taking them off again so I could tweak and fuss! I also put together the folders of additional information which are small but important aspects of the gallery. They contain images and transcripts of Mary Linwood’s letters (having done the transcripts the week before with help from my dad), large-print transcripts of documents in cases that are too small to read, images of the backs of three Mary Linwood embroideries and the insides of two exhibition catalogues that are in a case.
It was so amazing to see it all come together and look so elegant. The wall colours and the design overall is great. The light pink wall colour is actually the same as this website! The dark plum colour is the contrast I’ve been using for the Mary Linwood project publicity, so obviously I love this colour palette. The gilt frames look great on the plum walls, which is inspired by Mary Linwood’s own gallery which had scarlet walls.
Visit the gallery with me at three before-opening sessions.
Quiet Opening
Tues 7th Oct 10-11am
Visit the Mary Linwood: Art, Stitch and Life exhibition before normal opening, when the museum is quiet. You can meet the artist in the exhibition space but this is not a guided tour.
Suitable for adults and young people 12+
Tactile Textile Tour
10 November 10-11am
Join the Mary Linwood exhibition artist and curator Ruth Singer for this hands-on gallery tour.
Explore examples of Ruth’s work, historic embroidery and the materials used by Mary Linwood. Open to all but particularly suitable for blind or visually impaired adults. Carers are free.
Meet the Artist
Join this exclusive gallery tour while the museum is closed and enjoy the Mary Linwood: Art, Stitch and Life exhibition in the company of artist and curator Ruth Singer. Hear the stories of Ruth’s artwork in the exhibition and the group pieces as well as the background to developing the exhibition and researching Mary Linwood’s life.
Suitable for adults.
£15 / £12 concessions.
Mary Linwood exhibition events
Workshops are now open for bookings including Embroidery Masterclass and Meet The Artist Gallery Tour. There are also free events, talks, tours and more. On 22-23 November there will be a whole weekend of embroidery-related activities including mini workshops, demonstrations, historic textile study session, talks and a relaxed time to meet others and stitch.
Ruth Singer 
Let me know what you think