Subject - The Whit Walks Project Launch is here!

Posted : (Thursday 2nd July 2009 ) By - jess (Registered User)

The Whit Walks Project Launch is here!

Come & join Gorton Visual Arts on Mon 27 July at 3.30pm at MOSI to celebrate our latest work based on the famous Whit Walks.

Gorton Visual Arts, St. James’ Primary School and St. Francis R.C. Primary have been working together on an exciting intergenerational project to create a range of textile works including banners inspired by the Gorton Whit Walks. The traditional walks date back two centuries and are rooted in the history of Lancashire mill towns. The project is part of Gorton 100, a celebration of the urban district of Gorton becoming part of the City of Manchester. A beautifully embroidered banner will be paraded through the streets of Castlefield to the MOSI by people involved with the project, young & old, to arrive in time for the exhibition launch.

The people of Gorton have been digging deep to supply Gorton Visual Arts with photographs and other archive materials including church banners and costumes worn at Whit Walks gone by which will be reflected in the work.

Please come and celebrate the project by joining us for the launch and refreshments on Mon 27 July, 3.30pm, a chance to get up close and personal with the work and the group!

Come and celebrate with us!

Textiles Learning Space, Textiles Gallery, Main Building, Museum of Science & Industry, Castlefield, M3 4FP. The work will be exhibited throughout the summer. Call MOSI for further details on 0161 832 2244.

Before the launch at 3pm, there’ll be a demonstration at MOSI taking you on a whistle-stop tour of how cotton is processed from its raw state to the finished product - a piece of calico cloth. Learn about textile mill working conditions, when respiratory diseases were rife and children as young as five were employed to sweep under these dangerous machines.

For information on the Gorton Visual Arts please call Ian McKay, lead artist on 07752 126007.

The Whit Walks Project has been funded by Arts Council England, Awards for All, New East Manchester and Manchester City Council.