The Derry Weave Tapestries are handed over

The Derry Weave was always a project with community at its heart.  The St Augustine's community worked so hard during the three weeks of the project, welcoming visitors, making hundreds of scones, serving in the pop up cafe and working hard on the looms.  The community of 8,000 visitors came from far and wide to take part and weave in their thread.  With typical community spirit right from the outset it was the intention that six of the tapestries would be donated to communities across the city.

At the end of St Augustine's annual sale on 9th November the completed tapestries were handed over:

The Peace Bridge Tapestry gifted to the people of Derry to hang in the Guildhall.

The Long Tower Tapestry gifted to Aras Colmcille to hang in the new Colmcille interpretation centre.

The Promise Chalice Tapestry gifted to St Columb's Cathedral to hang in the Cathedral.

The Ferryquay Gate tapestry gifted to The Apprentice Boys to hang in their new visitor centre.

The First Derry Presbyterian Tapestry gifted to First Derry Presbyterian Church

The Derry Walls Tapestry gifted to The Honourable the Irish Society.

But St Augustine's Derry Weave is not finished yet!  Look out for The Derry Weave book with pictures of all tapestries and designs collated together along with recipes for the fabulous soups served at The Big Eats pop-up cafe.  Available from St Augustine's in time for Christmas!

In 2014 the legacy continues - a trail leaflet will be produced to guide you to all seven tapestries proudly displayed in their new homes.

Last few days of Tapestry Showcase

The display of all seven Derry Weave tapestries will close on Saturday 17th. August. Still a few days left to catch the complete body of work before it is divided up and gifted to communities across Derry. Over 400 images of the project to enjoy and nearly a thousand messages captured in the boat installation. Don't miss it!
The Playhouse 5-7 Artillery Street Derry/Londonderry BT48 6RG 10 - 4 each day, ends Saturday 17th August 2013

Photographs: Julie McPherson

Tapestries on Display

The exhibition of The Derry Weave tapestries is up and it looks great. This is the only occasion when all seven tapestries will be displayed together before being gifted to communities across the City. Venue: The Playhouse 5-7 Artillery Street Derry/Londonderry BT48 6RG
http://www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/ . Visit from 22 July to 17 Aug. Mon - Sat 10 - 4pm

Here is a little teaser to tempt you along.

Finishing Touches

A glorious Sunday afternoon spent adding the finishing touches to the tapestries. All now ready for exhibition. Opening: Monday July 22 5.30-6.30pm and continuing throughout August at The Playhouse Theatre 5-7 Artillery Street, Derry/Londonderry, BT48 6RG. Tel: 028 71 268027

Finishing

All tapestries are off the loom. Now fully engaged in preparation for exhibition at Playhouse Theatre. Blocking, steaming, stitching and backing.

Finishing touches added to St Columba's tapestry

Ivan Taylor, Elma Taylor, Dickie and Elizabeth Montgomery weave in the last few threads of the Columba tapestry.

Foyle Disability centre

An enjoyable morning working on woven panels with clients at Foyle Disability Centre. Thanks guys for working so hard, we loved working with you.

The Long Tower Tapestry is first off the loom

This tapestry will be gifted to Aras Colmcille - an interpretation centre focused on the life, traditions and legacy of Colmcille, located in 'The Wee Nun's school' situated in the grounds of the Long Tower Church.  http://www.ilex-urc.com/Projects/Aras-Colmcille,-Long-Tower.aspx
Grainne and Mary from Aras Colmcille arrived just in time to help complete the weaving.

Weaving together

Pictured at The Derry Weave - Pat Storey, Rector of St Augustines, weaving alongside her father, artist Norman Shaw.  Cousins Mary McBrearty and Sinead Duddy from Long Tower Church weave together on The Long Tower tapestry.

Photographer Julie McPherson has been clicking away during the first week of The Derry Weave - check out Julie's facebook page at http://on.fb.me/13RQ2AO to view lots more photos.

The Weave Tree

We have established a 'weave tree' in the beautiful grounds of St Augustine's Church on Derry's walls. All who participate in the Derry Weave are invited to leave a comment. Some shown below.

St Augustine's Tapestry

This design depicts St. Columba and his followers leaving Derry for Iona. In exile they created beautiful manuscripts spreading Christianity and peace making.  St Augustine's church has been recognised as the original monastic site of St Columba in Derry.  The church is referenced in the tiles, bottom left of the design and the yellow cross on the right.  The oak leaf represents Derry.

Derry Walls

Through the arch, the Derry Walls encircle the city. The 400 year old walls are steeped in history, within and without their fabric, containing stones from medieval monasteries. The design follows the cobblestones along the path and up the steps onto the walls.

Ferryquay Gate

A road winds up from the River Foyle to Ferryquay Gate, one of the original entrances to the city.  The subtle use of colour in the design draws us towards the gate, through the arch and beyond, to the diamond in the distance.

First Derry Church

First Derry Presbyterian Church is located within Derry walls.  This design features the church facade with columns and Dungiven sandstone cornice.  Working with blues and purples for the steps and shadows the sandstone shades of the columns and capitals are nicely complemented.

Round Tower

A round tower is an iconic image of Ireland.  Seventy five round towers still stand in Ireland today. Constructed primarily in the 10th to 12th century, they are never found independent of a monastic enclosure. This tapestry design, in its simplicity, depicts the tall, circular, tapering structure with a conical roof.  The round tower is located in a meadow of wild flowers and set against a cobalt sky.

The Promise Chalice Tapestry Design

The Promise Chalice and paten was a gift sent to Londonderry in 1613 by the Honourable The Irish Society.  The gift represented a promise to build a cathedral for the people of the city.  The chalice is still used today for special Holy communion services at St Columb's Cathedral.  In our design the gilt and silver chalice and paten are set against a background of bright colour suggesting stained glass windows.  The Cathedral's battlements are referenced as a border to the design.

The Peace Bridge Tapestry Design

This design for the Peace Bridge was the first to be created. Inspiration came from childhood memories of Derry: of steep hills running down to the river and of roads winding under arches, through gates and around walls.  This theme of winding roads and encircling walls is echoed in the iconic sweep of the Peace Bridge and was used for the first in our series of seven tapestry designs.  The tapestry will be worked in shades of blue, the colour of peace.  The bridge is alluded to by off-setting dark and light to create the elegant curves.  A flash of orange-yellow represents the base of the pylons and plays against the blues to help the tapestry sing. Colmcille/Columba  is represented as the Dove of the Church flying over the bridge and so completes the theme of 'Peace' for this tapestry.

Design Preview 2

Designs 4, 5 and 6 for The Derry Weave at St Augustine's, reflecting the City's architecture: the buildings, walls and gates.

Design preview

A sneaky peak at the first three designs for The Derry Weave at St Augustine's - The Peace Bridge, Long Tower and The Promise Chalice

The Big Weave is coming to Derry

The Big Weave will be visiting Derry/Londonderry in June 2013 to help celebrate the First UK city of Culture.  We will be posting all news here as it happens.