Chatty Crafts

First established in 2022, Chatty Craft has become a thriving local craftivism group. Bi-weekly sessions at Beswick Library offer a chance to be creative, chat and be part of the community. The group have held exhibitions and joined free theatre visits and crafting day-trips to galleries across GM. We are proud to see the group become an autonomous constituted community group, led by artist Sam Edwards and members of the local community.

“The things you take away you don’t just chuck them in the bin … you take them home or gift them … it’s good quality.”

 

“Coming to chatty craft has made me feel welcome. Its such a friendly group. I really look forward to it. I have met new people who are all inspiring in different ways.”

 

“I like that group is open to everyone and you are so welcome and feel the love as soon as you walk in. I like that we do different crafts and also that we are involved in exhibitions. Some places we have been with group I have never been before or heard of, it’s nice that it opens that world for us.”

Kid’s Crafts!

Alongside the bi-weekly sessions we ran a holiday programme of free children’s crafts at Beswick Library, led by artists Sam Edwards and Martha Webster.

Chatty Craft’s Exhibition

This October Chatty Craft created an Exhibition on the theme EXTREME HOPE,  displayed at the Museum of Science and Industry. Alongside lanterns of hope, they made a banner which reads: HANDS HOLDING HOPE AROUND A BIG BEAUTIFUL WORLD. The Exhibition is now on permeant display at Beswick Library.

Meg explains: “It takes a lot of people to hold people up. And I think if everyone kind of believes in hope, there’s more chance of good stuff happening in the world. Hope happening is, a radical thing.”

Chatty Craft is a Local Exchange project, created by Royal Exchange Ambassadors for Beswick, Openshaw & Clayton.