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Scotland's Diaspora Tapestry

Jamie Sempill 11/21/2011 12:08 PM

This project will involve communities around the world in the celebration of Scottish heritage and culture.

 The team behind the magnificent Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry is now planning a new tapestry, to be created by volunteers in communities around the globe. It will be assembled and displayed in Scotland as part of the 2014 Homecoming celebrations.

Scots have migrated all over the world and have often had a profound impact on the areas where they settled. This project will see 25 such communities documenting their Scottish connections on a series of embroidered panels. Their combined stories will pay homage to the incredible determination and courage of Scots over the centuries.

 PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry is an extraordinary 104-metre artwork, embroidered by 200 volunteers from around Scotland. It shows the early part of the Jacobite campaign of 1745 and was inspired by the Norman Bayeux Tapestry.

Since its completion in 2010 it has attracted thousands of visitors as it tours the country. Its enormous success is due to the passion of the volunteers who created it, the astonishing quality of the artwork and embroidery, and the fascinating history it depicts.

Now that skill and enthusiasm is set to move to an international stage. The same artist, Andrew Crummy, will provide the outline designs, and the same administrators and stitchers will manage the project.

The 2014 Year of Homecoming provides the perfect arena for the assembly of the tapestry, with representatives from each community accompanying their panels to Scotland for an extensive programme of events and celebrations.

Enthusiasm for embroidery is universal and this project provides an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to get involved. The Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry attracted an army of willing volunteers and has proved that this combination of crafts and heritage is highly successful, both with participants and audiences.

MAKING IT HAPPEN

Recruiting Participants:

By early 2012 the 25 communities will be identified, chosen to provide a representative and interesting spread of Diaspora tales. Volunteers within the communities will be recruited and their versions of their Scottish links documented. Each community will be invited to produce between five and ten panels, each measuring 50cm x 50cm.

Many Diaspora communities have connections to a particular area of Scotland, and they will be encouraged to become involved in the project. They can help research the links and families who emigrated, produce their own artwork, involve local schools and groups and host the completed tapestry in 2014.

Educational Dimension:

The project offers enormous scope for educational projects in Scotland. Schools will be able to research their Diaspora links, liaising with the overseas community - perhaps forming partnerships with local schools there. A wealth of research material exists, including personal accounts of emigration, providing ample scope for cross-curricular projects involving history, literacy, art, drama etc.

Schools will be encouraged to contribute to the Diaspora Tapestry website, sharing their research with other schools and communities, and to get involved in the Homecoming of the tapestry in 2014. Together with their wider community, they will be able to host events and stage performances to celebrate their section of tapestry's arrival in Scotland.

The Design Process:

Based on the Diaspora communities' stories, and with their design input, Andrew Crummy will create the outline designs for the linen panels. This approach ensures an artistic consistency to the overall project although individual interpretation will be encouraged in the use of stitches and colours, to reflect local traditions.

Artistic collaborations will be encouraged within the Diaspora community and in Scotland. The aim is for a range of art forms to contribute to the project, with each set of panels being accompanied by storytelling, drama and music, providing several dimensions to the historical background.

Progress on the panels will be documented on the dedicated website, allowing the communities to keep in touch and gain inspiration from each other.

2014 Celebrations:

Before they make their way to Scotland for Homecoming the completed panels they will be exhibited in the Diaspora communities, with associated events and performances. This will encourage more people to become engaged in the project and to travel to Scotland for the Homecoming in 2014.

The arrival and assembly of the Diaspora Tapestry will form one of the Homecoming highlights of the summer. The aim is for the initial focus to be in Stirling in early July, then for several partner venues to get involved. They will include Queen Margaret University, The Scottish Storytelling Centre and St Mary's Cathedral, which will display the tapestry and stage a full programme of events.

In the following weeks and months the partner Scottish communities will host local exhibitions and events to celebrate their own section of the tapestry.

 
A Lasting Legacy

This project will create an enduring tribute to the Scottish Diaspora. The tapestry, which is likely to measure to least 90 metres, will continue to be displayed long after the Homecoming, both at home and abroad. Because it is designed in sections, it will also be flexible, and can be separated for display in different locations simultaneously.

Eventually the aim is for the Diaspora Tapestry to join the Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry at a purpose-built venue in Prestonpans, but until then it will tour the UK and the countries which helped in its creation. It will continue to educate audiences and promote Scottish heritage for many years to come.

The creation process will also be recorded in books, both for adults and children, DVD's and on-line resources.

Get Involved

Anyone interested in getting involved with this project, or just learning more about it, should contact one of the management team:

Yvonne Murphy:  ylmurphy@tiscali.co.uk
Gillian Hart:  hartoflothian@talktalk.net
Andrew Crummy: andrewcrummy@phonecoop.coop

The Prestoungrange Arts Festival, 227 High Street, Prestonpans, EH32 9BE
Tel: 01875 819922

www.prestonpanstapestry.org