A decade long community project to create a tapestry in Sark has finished – with the work being unveiled later this week.
Originally the idea of two visiting tapestry weavers, the project has seen Sark residents and tourists all put in stitches to create the completed art work.
Diana Scarth and LouLou Morris thought it would be good to create a tapestry showcasing Sark’s land and seascape, featuring Les Autlets and part of the coast that can be seen from Port du Moulin.
A design was submitted, and accepted and work started in 2015.
Weavers Bazaar sponsored the threads needed in the project, and tapestry weaving classes were launched to help people get involved.
No one in Sark at the time knew how to tapestry weave, but another visitor, Hilary Charlesworth who has 27 years’ experience in the craft, held an ‘introductory course’ and started up the first weaving groups.
Sark resident Eric Rogers made the practice tapestry frames they used and the project has grown from there.
Each winter over the past decade, work progressed behind closed doors – with the growing tapestry put on display at public events during the summer months, where visitors and residents were invited to learn about weaving and to add a few stitches of their own.
A spokesperson for the project said it is a true community art work, created by many people.
“While the work has been carried out by a core group of Sark weavers, people from all walks of life and varying weaving skills have been encouraged to contribute, even if just a few stitches. Nearly everyone who has helped will have signed the visitor book which stands as a record of people who have contributed.
“We would particularly like to mention Linda Williams, Debbie Guille, Tony Dunks, Liz Stevenson, Shakira Christodoulou and Amanda Petrie.
“In addition to the ‘official’ woollen threads that make up the finished design, wool from Persil the Sheep has been included (to give the ‘fluffy’ bits in the clouds), while some of the tail hairs of the carriage horse Ronaldo have been used. There are other contributions, of some favoured pet, that have been included, the details of which are known only to the contributing weaver.”
The Sark Tapestry will go on public display this week at the Sark Art Gallery and Museum.
The launch event is at 17:00 on Thursday 21 August.
The Art Gallery and Museum is ordinarily open for free every day between 10:00 and 16:00.
