A vibrant exhibition featuring a stunning collection of quilts and embroidered pieces produced by two groups, Loose Threads Quilting Group and Golden Threads Creative Crafts is coming to the Flax Gallery at Mossley Mill. The collection was commissioned by Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid in Ballymena and focuses on ideas from the poetry of the Rhyming Weavers.

 

The rhyming weaving tradition was prominent in the late 18^th and 19^th centuries. These rural working class poets were mostly employed in the linen weaving industry had their works published in local newspapers and periodicals as well as producing volumes of poetry. Using the Ulster Scots dialect as well as English, they explored themes such as local identity, Irish politics and the decline of handloom weaving. The two craft groups studied a range of different poets from the Mid-Antrim area.

 

Samantha Curry, Heritage Officer, Newtownabbey Borough Council is excited about the exhibition:

 

 ‘These creative works form an exhibition that bring the Rhyming Weaver tradition to a much wider audience and demonstrate its relevance to Mid-Antrim’s shared cultural and literary heritage. The exhibition focuses on three local poets, including David Herbison, the Bard of Dunclug; Samuel Thompson from Carngranny and James Orr from Ballycarry and includes artefacts relating to the Bards.”