This wall hanging comprised of six arpilleras depicts the broad range of community initiatives operating through Limavady Workhouse at present. This iconic building dates back to the 1830s and has been repurposed many times - from workhouse to hospital to a now thriving community space housing Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI) and Limavady Volunteer Centre.
Beginning in Autumn 2021, women from Limavady Hen Shed came together in hands on workshops to explore the history and current usage of the workhouse through the medium of fabric. These workshops, facilitated by Conflict Textiles, were commissioned by Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands Landscape Partnership (BCLLP) and coordinated by Grace McAlister.
Textile Artist Deborah Stockdale explains the process: “The women divided themselves into areas of interest and after some background into the arpillera process and a session of doll making, they proceeded to make small panels”. Guided by Deborah they cut, shaped, threaded and stitched together the breadth of community projects supported through the workhouse at present: Food Bank, Baby Bank, Easter/Spring Festival, Lantern Parade, Christmas Lights and Santa Grotto and the Jazz & Blues Festival.
Deborah then stitched the six arpilleras to a backing panel attached to a photograph of the workhouse printed on canvas. Arpillera dolls in position on the various panels completed the piece, symbolising the intersection of people, community and activities in this historic building; repurposed and transfigured for the present era.
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