Exhibition Secures Arts Grant

A local art exhibition at Preston’s flagship gallery has been awarded a grant by the Arts Council England. 

The exhibition, titled Endangered Species, is the first of its kind in Preston, featuring works, pieces and objects by new and established textile artists.  Many of the exhibitors are local and there are limited opportunities for them to exhibit their works both locally and nationally.  PAD Gallery at 52 Church Street, Preston was opened in March to further the City Council’s objectives of supporting local contemporary artists and providing facilities for them to sell and exhibit their work.  The event will take place during National Knitting Week in October this year. The grant will be used to support a range of workshops, lectures and activities during the exhibition to attract visitors, encourage wider participation and provide an opportunity to learn about the skills and techniques involved.

Dorret Conway, who has organised the exhibition, said, “this is a celebration of hand knitting reclaiming its status as an important part of social, cultural and community life.  It is both inspirational and provocative. It highlights the multiple dimensions of hand knitting and continues to challenge the misconceptions that surround it.

I chose the name to reflect what I believed was happening to hand knitting – it was in danger of becoming extinct because of attitudes.  A lot has been done already to convince people that it’s not just something for grannies to do in a rocking chair by the fire over winter.  Knitting is inspiring a new generation of artists and enthusiasts.The stitch n bitch group that I founded still meets regularly and through there are hundreds of people all over the world knitting regularly and sharing through internet forums.  I am sure we can attract a wide audience for an exhibition of this calibre. 

I am delighted to have been awarded the grant. We will be using some of the money to pay for teachers’ workshops so that they can then introduce the techniques into the art and technology curriculum in schools across Lancashire and ensure the skills are passed on.

We will also be presenting the funds that we have raised to Help a Local Child through the event that I organised last year for National Knitting Week and launching this year’s campaign.”

For more information about the Endangered Species exhibition, to receive a full programme of events for 2006 or local artists who are interested in PAD, contact Dorret Conway or Natalie Miller at pad@preston.gov.uk Tel 01772 561615