October 2017 weaving...

We have already had lots of keen interest in our community tapestry project since the official opening on the 18th. 

On the 19th of October 2017 Sharon Eichelsheim from Wellington was our first member of the community to weave a row.

On the 21st October (Labour Weekend in New Zealand) there was a lot of visitors to Whangarei, a lot were from Auckland, but some further south and some that were brave enough to try some weaving.

Catherine Chen, from Auckland only 10 years old proved to be a very good weaver. She said she "loved being creative" and had done flax weaving at school but this was her first time using wool. She was so happy to do some tapestry weaving while visiting Whangarei. 

Juliette Swain and her younger sister, Keira were both very enthusiastic weavers on the little looms. Juliette (7) and Keira (5) used to live in Auckland but now live here in Whangarei.

 Labour Day  (Monday the 23rd)

Guillawme Garnier and partner Marie-Francine Marchand from France have been living and working in New Zealand for the past 11 months.

 They said they were on a 1 month holiday before returning home to France and really enjoyed the opportunity to work on the tapestry together. 

All eyes were on Tammy Lam as she worked on the tapestry.

Head weaver Naoko Watson was on hand to help guide the weaving process.

Helen Yu, Tammy's mother had a turn at weaving after trying on one of the mini looms available.

Maike Schmitt (above) was also eager to try weaving.

Maike is from Schweinfurt, Germany and in New Zealand on a working holiday.

Vicki Kenworthy-Thompson from Langs Beach, Northland added her row of weaving on the Poutama Pattern on the left-hand side of the panel.

A close up of the Kaokao pattern.

Thanks for stopping by to check on our community tapestry progress. Please leave a comment or message - we would love to hear from you!

First Stitch Event - 18 October 2017

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)

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

Opening to the public soon!

The Bach Community Tapestry will be open to the public very soon - watch this space!