What’s on at Macclesfield Museums – January to June 2017

Exhibitions at The Silk Museum

4th Macclesfield Open Art Exhibition

Until 21 January 2017

Now a well-established part of the Macclesfield Art scene, artists from around the area submit a stunning array of artwork in different media for this highly regarded exhibition. Don’t forget to cast your vote for the Visitors’ Choice Award!

INHABIT

11 February-2 June 2017

Artist Yvette Hawkins uses silk to draw upon the rich traditions of her UK and South Korean heritage. INHABIT will include a silk sculpture woven by Yvette and 10,000 silk worms.

Exhibitions at The Old Sunday School

 Souvenirs from Home

9 January-2 February

This display brings together work produced in the Home Ground touring project; the Devon Guild of Craftsmen travelled to six towns in the UK whose football clubs have nicknames linked to their traditional craft industries. Artwork was created by football supporters and other groups. Artist Zoe Hillyard worked with them in Macclesfield.

Home Front Vintage

6 February-29 March

During World War II the British Military produced escape maps on silk. After the war these maps were sold off to be re-used and made into clothing. This display explores the story of the maps and includes original items from the 1940s and 50s. In addition, Sara Jane Murray of Home Front Vintage showcases items she has made with maps in the spirit of ‘make do and mend’.

Riot and Rebels!

3 April-24 June

Did you know Macclesfield had a riot? A potato riot! And what about the visit of Bonnie Prince Charlie to the town in 1745? To celebrate the newly-acquired Joseph Wright portrait of John Stafford, who was there with the rebels in 1745, and to tie in with the re-enactment of the Macclesfield potato riot on 13 April 2017, staff and pupils at Fallibroome Academy are collaborating with other schools from the Silk Alliance to take these events as inspiration to create an exciting new display.

Activities at The Silk Museum

 Craft Workshops:

A Touch of Frosty Craft

Thursday 23 and Friday 24 February: 10am-12.30pm

It’s February and it’s still chilly, so help reflect the season by creating your own Jack Frost snow scenes, with a bit of glitter to make it sparkle!

£6.50 per child, 6-12 years. Booking essential. Call 01625 612045

Now you see it…

Thursday 6 and Friday 7 April: 10am-12.30pm

Take an adventure into camouflage and create some fantastic ‘now you see it’, ‘now you don’t’ artwork!

£6.50 per child, 6-12 years. Booking essential. Call 01625 612045

Victorian Jack in a Box

Thursday 1 and Friday 2 June: 10am-12.30pm

Take a look at some Victorian toys and then make your own special Jack in a Box.

£6.50 per child, 6-12 years. Booking essential. Call 01625 612045

Family drop-in sessions:

Weave an Easter Egg Basket

Thursday 6 April: 1.30-3.30pm

Use some silk weaving techniques to create your own decorated Easter baskets – you may be lucky and find some eggs to put inside.

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

Full of the Joys of Spring

Thursday 13 April: 10.30-12.30pm, 1.30-3.30pm

Join in with this inspiring craft session creating your own Spring collage out of recycled materials.

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

Wonderful Creepy Crawlies

Thursday 1 June: 1.30-3.30pm

Make a selection of beautiful and boggle-eyed bugs!

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

Activities at The Old Sunday School

Craft workshops:

Football Flags Textile Workshop

Saturday 28 January: 11am-1pm or 2-4pm

Join artist Zoe Hillyard to make a silk flag to celebrate living in Macclesfield and the Silkmen. Suitable for all ages and abilities and materials are provided.

£3 per person, booking essential, call 01625 613210 or pop in to The Old Sunday School shop

Home Front Silk Maps Crafts

Saturday 18 February: 1-3.30pm

Discover more about the history of the silk escape maps with Sara Jane Murray of Home Front Vintage, then make a brooch from a piece of an original map to take home.

£5 per person, 14+ years, booking essential, call 01625 613210 or pop in to The Old Sunday School shop

Family drop-in sessions:

Home Front Silk Map Making

Wednesday 22 February: 1.30-3.30pm

Take a look at our display about the silk escape maps made in World War II and then create your own map, print it onto silk and make it into something new. There will also be some code breaking tasks for you too! In partnership with Sara Jane Murray of Home Front Vintage.

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

Easter ‘Hare-ing’ Around

Wednesday 5 April: 1.30-3.30pm

You’ve heard of the Easter Bunnies, well these are their faster cousins! Make your own fantastic hare inspired artwork.

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

Potato Print Art

Wednesday 12 April: 1.30-3.30pm

Instead of throwing potatoes like the rioters in 1812, use them to create some colourful art to take home!

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

All Boxed Up

Wednesday 31 May: 1.30-3.30pm, drop-in

Join in some ‘box magic’ and turn a small box into something ‘fantabulous’ to store your treasures in.

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

Activities at West Park Museum

Special event: 

Discover a WWI Soldier at West Park Museum

Tuesday 21 February: 2-4pm, family drop-in

Discover what a Great War soldier carried in the trenches, what he ate, how he kept clean, his work, leisure and what weapons and protection he had. You can even make your own model biplane if you like!

Free activity, £1 for the biplane kit

Family drop-in crafts:

Egyptian Amulet

Tuesday 4 April: 2-4pm

Be inspired by Marianne Brocklehurst’s Egyptian collections and make your own amulet to take away.

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

King Tut’s Tomb

Tuesday 11 April: 2-4pm

The Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun had a fabulous tomb and mummy case filled with wonderful things. Make your own recreation of his last resting place.

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

Panda Bears’ Picnic

Tuesday 30 May: 2-4pm

Celebrate Macc Panda’s return to West Park Museum and make your own panda mask. Bring your own snacks along to have a panda bears’ picnic!

£3 per activity pack, no need to book

Events for Adults at The Silk Museum

Alteration Challenge

Saturday 28 January: 10am-4pm

Stella Vincent will help you revamp a wardrobe favourite or recycle a charity shop bargain. You will need a sewing machine, an item of clothing, fabrics and embellishments that you may find useful. You do not need to be an experienced dressmaker, just have flair and imagination.

£20. To book, contact Wilmslow Guild on 01625 523903 or www.wilmslowguild.org

Experimentation and Fun with Free Machine Embroidery

Saturday 11 February: 10am-4pm

Anne Davies will introduce you to the fun you can have with free machine embroidery. You will need a sewing machine which drops its feed dogs to allow free stitching.

£20. To book, contact Wilmslow Guild on 01625 523903 or www.wilmslowguild.org

Calligrapher for the Day

Saturday 18 March: 10am-4pm

Vivien Lunnis introduces a taster day for anyone interested in fine lettering. Using pen patterns and letters you will be able to make a bookmark by the end of the day.

£20. To book, contact Wilmslow Guild on 01625 523903 or www.wilmslowguild.org

The Story of Silk Study Day

Saturday 1 April

10am-3.30pm

This study day will explore the magic of silk, its uses and its histories. Dr Katherine Wilson of the University of Chester will discuss the history of luxury fabrics, from the medieval period to the time when silk was mass produced in Macclesfield Mills. Emily Wilkinson will hold a practical workshop on silk and creativity, using silk as its inspiration. You will also meet the artist Yvette Hawkins and discover more about her art installation INHABIT. The day includes a tour of Paradise Mill and around the Silk Museum with the opportunity to see some of the textile collections usually kept in store. The Museum and Mill will be closed to the public, so study day participants have exclusive access to the buildings.

£20, including lunch and refreshments. To book telephone 01625 613210 or pop into the Old Sunday School. For more information contact Professor Deborah Wynne d.wynne@chester.ac.uk

This event is jointly organised by the University of Chester and the Silk Museum

Friends’ Talks at The Old Sunday School

Curious Cures: Medical Remedies at their Worst

Wednesday 11 January, 7.30pm

Discover bizarre cures of the past with Lyndon Murgatroyd.

£4/£3 members, pay on the door

African Batik

Wednesday 8 February, 7.30pm

Batik history and techniques with Anne Mason and Margaret Hickson.

£4/£3 members, pay on the door

John de Macclesfield

Wednesday 8 March, 7.30pm

Discover John de Macclesfield, 1351-1422, with writer and historian Jane Laughton.

£4/£3 members, pay on the door

Friends’ Quiz Night

Wednesday 12 April, 7.30pm

Make up your own team of four or come along on the night and make new friends.

£4/£3 members, pay on the door

Venue Addresses/Opening Times/Costs/Access Details

The Old Sunday School

Heritage Centre, Roe Street, Macclesfield SK11 6UT

Open: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, closed Bank Holidays

Admission Free

Access: Step free access to ground floor, lift to first floor meeting rooms and second floor Cinemac, stairs to basement displays

The Silk Museum

Park Lane, Macclesfield SK11 6TJ

Open: Mon-Sat, 10am-3pm (until 31 March), 10am-4pm (from 3 April), closed on Sat 1 April, open 12-4pm Bank Holidays

Museum Admission, including special exhibitions: £4.50, £4, children free

Admission to Special Exhibition only: £2, Open Art Exhibition: Free

Access: Steps at the main entrance to the museum, step free access available on request, step-free access around ground floor, lift to first floor special exhibition gallery

Paradise Mill

Park Lane, Macclesfield SK11 6TJ

Open: Mon-Sat. Guided Tours at 12 noon (until 31 March) at 11.45am, 1pm, 2.15pm (from 3 April) Tours at 1pm, and 2.15pm on Bank Holidays, closed on Sat 1 April

Mill Tour: £5, £4.50, children free

Access: 3 flights of stairs, if you need to use the lift then please speak to a member of staff when booking your ticket

Joint Visit Silk Museum and Paradise Mill: £8, £7

West Park Museum

Prestbury Road, Macclesfield SK10 3BJ

Open: Weds-Sun, 1-4pm (until 31 March) Tues-Sun, 1-4pm (from 1 April), Closed on Bank Holidays

Admission Free

Access: Step free access