The People Behind the Flowers

A display of embroideries and people’s stories. A celebration of 2.5 years of community participation and integration work carried out by Ariadne’s Thread Group who provide access to culture, heritage, arts and crafts to vulnerable people, particularly those displaced by conflicts and those with learning and communication difficulties. Textiles are part of the FLOWERS WE GIVE TO UKRAINE programme of community integration projects which was developed as a response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The first tapestry officially started in May 2022. This was initially intended as participatory needlework for local Ukrainian women, including those arriving under the ‘Home for Ukraine’ scheme. The project, however, quickly became a global collaboration with refugees stitching smaller parts across Europe. Further tapestries followed when visitors from Uckfield and Canterbury joined the group. To bring people together and help the integration of new arrivals within the community, the group hosted open events and embroidery workshops for all ages and abilities. In total five tapestries were started in different locations connecting over 260 people so far. This exhibition is dedicated to them.