Silk Museum winter programme

Above: Macclesfield branch of Society of Recorder Players

Take a look at the Winter Programme at the Silk Museum – inspired by the museum’s historic collections 

The Silk Museum in Macclesfield launches its winter programme this October with seasonal activities for everyone including arts and crafts workshops and an after-hours drop-in event. 

Working in partnership with many of the creatives based in and around Macclesfield, the Silk Museum workshops are artist-led and cater to all abilities. They are a fun way to spend a few hours learning something new or developing your skills. 

Visitors can book in on the website to try their hand at painting a seasonal robin picture onto silk with illustrator and artist Ruth Denis Lear on Thursday November 16th.  

There is even the opportunity to use the industrial machinery, which is part of the Silk Museum’s collection, to create a tassel or two using the Tassel Head Maker machinery in the Creative Tassel Head Workshop on Saturday November 25^th. 

There will also be opportunities to make your own Christmas cards inspired by artist Charles Tunnicliffe, who was born in Macclesfield and studied at the School of Art, which is where the Silk Museum is now located. He specialised in painting wildlife and his paintings are on display in the museum. His incredible work will be the starting point for your own Christmas card design on Thursday November 23^rd in this festive workshop. 

The Silk Museum has an unrivalled archive of pattern books, which is the largest collection in the north of England and has patterns for fabrics for houses such as Liberty of London.  

The archive will provide inspiration for the Creative Festive Printing Workshop. Using the designs to inspire your own work you will have the opportunity to use the Silk Museum’s historic collection of printing blocks. You can print onto a flat surface and make your own design for a tote bag as a special Christmas gift on Thursday December 21^st. 

Director of the Silk Museum, Emma Anderson, says: “The Silk Museum has a unique collection relating to Macclesfield’s heritage, in particular its connection to the silk industry. We are very excited to be embracing this over winter with a whole range of creative classes inspired by our historic collections. 

“Our Festive Season really will get you in the mood and make the lead up to the holidays really special. We are lucky to have such a creative community here who lead these brilliant workshops. There is something for everyone” 

On Thursday November 16 from 5pm until 7.30 pm to coincide with the town centre Christmas countdown, the Silk Museum, will be opening for a late event.  

Everyone is welcome to come and visit the museum after hours. Don’t miss the chance for a closer look at one of The Silk Museum’s most treasured objects – Marianne Brocklehurst’s Egyptian Diary.   

Curator, Bryony Renshaw will share stories of its creation 150-years ago, to capture Marianne’s first trip down the Nile with her companion Mary Booth; a journey that changed their lives and started their remarkable Ancient Egyptian collections.  

The event will also be a chance to get your Christmas gifts, as the museum shop is a destination for regional and national, contemporary designers of textiles and jewellery.  

The Macclesfield branch of the Society of Recorder Players will be performing seasonal tunes and there will be festive refreshments available. 

To see the full programme of activity visit the new Silk Museum website at https://www.thesilkmuseum.co.uk/whats-on