An exhibition by Harrogate-based embroidery and textile artists, The Small Group, is entering its last full week at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes.
In “Inspiration: from past to present”, artists have reimagined objects on display in the museum, from ore crushing machinery to butter dishes, as garments and contemporary textile and mixed media pieces.
At the centre of the exhibition are six Victorian nightdresses (see pictures).
Textiles are the summer theme at the Dales Countryside Museum, with next week seeing the opening of a third special exhibition of 2025, titled “The Wensleydale Sheep – A Handcrafted History” (opening Saturday 19 July).
The Small Group’s creations will be on display until this Sunday, the 13th of July. Group member Diane Freeman said the idea to use Victorian nightdresses as canvases for art came about after seeing a photograph of a shepherd at the museum as well as a poem about wool.
She said: “The two things connected so well that I decided to stitch some of the words from the poem onto the nightdress and create a Dales landscape. It took ages to paint and embroider all the sheep.
“The nightdresses are a lovely focal point. The room is so big and light, it works really well.”
Museum Manager Fiona Rosher said: “It’s been a wonderful exhibition with visitors being encouraged to look more closely at the objects on display both in the exhibition and in the galleries and expressing their amazement at the creativity and skill of the group.”
The Small Group is made up of seven members, Margaret Bush, Irene Earl, Jacquelyn Estell, Kathy Hammond, Gill Kirk, Diane Freeman, and Jo Linley. The Small Group exhibits in galleries and museums in the north of England.
