On the 18th October The Bach, along with guests from the Whangarei District Council commenced the new community tapestry project with a First Stitch event.
(Please click on the photos below to enlarge them for better viewing)
(Please click on the photos below to enlarge them for better viewing)
The Storyboard explains the concept for the tapestry, how the loom was made, along with some local history and explanation of the artwork and design.
The bobbins - all ready for the first stitches.
The Bach Gallery provided refreshments for our guests who were invited to the First Stitch event.
The evening started with a bit of mixing and mingling.
Guests reading the information storyboard.
The Bach Gallery Founder Glenda Ferguson (front left) chats with current members of The Bach and special guest Sheryl Mai, the Mayor of Whangarei.
President of The Bach Co-operative, Heather Carthew welcomed guests at 5:30 pm and thanked everyone for coming to celebrate a consecutive community weaving project that would see four tapestry panels completed over the next three to four years.
Above: Bach member, Kitty Mulder (left) and Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai.
Tapestry Project Patron and WDC Councillor, Sharon Morgan was invited by Heather in weaving the first stitches on the tapestry. She was delighted to accept!
Naoko Watson, head weaver for the tapestry project assisted Sharon with weaving.
While Sharon was engrossed in the wonderful experience of weaving, Sheryl Mai took the opportunity to share her thoughts on our community project. She said she thought it was a wonderful concept and looked forward to seeing the finished panel. She spoke of the benefits that the project had for the city as we were creating a legacy for generations to come.
Above (Left to Right): Glenda Ferguson, Gay Kerr (Town Basin Property Manager for WDC) and Bach members Lilian Herleth and Leonie Flemming.
After formal part of the evening we had more mixing and mingling.
A visitors book is available for all visitors to leave their name, contact details and comments about the tapestry so they can receive updates and the occasional newsletter.
"We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing" ~Lousia May Alcott
