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Local Textile Artist Exhibition in Southport

ANNE Stark will be taking over the SCA window display with her stitched textiles during March to April 2020, as Southport Contemporary Arts selected:- 'Artist of the Month.' Anne's passion for all things stitchery is not a recent obsession: "I have stitched for as long as I can remember. Embroidery kits as a child, and by the time I was 16, I was making my own clothes." Even after marriage and raising a family, Anne was reluctant to allow any let up on her enthusiasm for the craft: "I stitched for all of us including furnishings for around the house."

Working as an occupational therapist left little time for pursuing her art, but she was abIe to grab some valuable time from her busy schedule and started to study painting at evening classes.  Now retired, Anne has a different attitude to her art:- "On retirement, I found I could stitch for fun and not necessity, so I enrolled myself onto a City and Guilds course in Design and Creative Embroidery at The School of Stitched Textiles at Eccles Farm Needcraft Centre in Ormskirk." 5 years later in 2005, Anne had successfully completed part 1 and then eventually gained the Diploma 2 years later in 2007. Today she is still aiming to expand her understanding of design by further developing her knowledge and skill base: "Experimenting and working with different media is exciting and I always carry a camera with me as inspiration can strike at anytime!"

She welcomes the challenge each new task brings: "The source of fresh work may be a recent item in the news, something I have seen and probably photographed or from the wish to work with in a particular way. Perhaps even by dyeing or painting fabric or through using a digital image to provide an alternative background."

Anne enjoys the motivation and encouragement of being part of a group: "I enjoy my membership of Southport Contemporary Arts and the 1 Step On Textile Art Group. Both provide me with a source of inspiration, motivation and encouragement along with the added advantages of opportunities to display and exhibit my work."

Although, primarily a tactile crafter, Anne also also paints in oils:- "Painting is a secondary activity, but I find that knowledge learned in 1 area is often transferable into another."

A selection of Anne's stitched textiles can be viewed from 28 March to 2 May 2020, at SCA/ArtHouse, 65 Eastbank Street, Southport, Tuesday through to Friday, from 10.00 to 15.00 and on Saturday's from 11.00 to 16.00.  If you're looking for creativity in stitch don't hesitate.

College Celebrates Local Inspirational Women

HUGH Baird College in Bootle recently hosted an event which acknowledged the inspirational women in the lives of the College's students and staff. The event was organised to coincide with International Women's Day on the 8 March 2020, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Over 100 nominations were submitted by students and staff at the College and an independent panel shortlisted 9 women to be recognised at the event. Those shortlisted included; staff members, fellow student peers, student mothers and grandmothers. Those in attendance at the event were joined by guest speaker Gloria Allerton-Simmons and special guest Marcus Collins, who finished runner up in the 8th series of The X Factor in 2011 and is now enjoying success in the world of theatre. Gloria shared with the audience her uplifting life story which includes performing with pop groups in the 1960's, her decades of charity work and becoming 1 of the 1st female Bank Managers in the region. The attendees were then given the opportunity to listen to the inspiring and sometimes emotional stories of each woman, one of which was Hugh Baird 14 to 16 College Assistant Head Sue McKie.  Sue was nominated by her manager, Hugh Baird 14 to 16 College Director of Curriculum Andy Howard, who said:- "Sue is one of the most caring, compassionate people I have worked with, who tirelessly works to support the students we have in the 14 to 16 College. She is always positive and open. For a number of our students, she is one of the most influential women in their lives, where they don't have role models outside of College. Seeing her genuinely listen and give of herself to the students every day is really inspirational."

As a gesture of thanks, each of the women recognised were treated to a ladies lunch at the College's L20 Restaurant, presented with a bouquet of flowers and a voucher for a Spa Day. Louise Nixon, Hugh Baird College Student Engagement Lead, who organised the event, said:- "Reading the stories of each of the 100 nominated inspirational women was a huge honour for me. It was incredible to find out about the inspirational acts taking place around the College and in our community and the contribution women are making on a daily basis. Our Celebration of Inspirational Women event was the perfect platform to recognise the women who inspire our students and staff."

For more information about Hugh Baird College please visit:- HughBaird.AC.UK or alternatively call:- 0151 353 4444 for more information.