After 9 months of creativity, collaboration, and community participation, Stitching Ashbourne was finally unveiled last week in a beautiful afternoon of celebration, connection and shared pride.
From the outset, the project was designed as a participatory community artwork, creating opportunities for people across Ashbourne to come together through creativity, conversation, storytelling and shared making. Over the past 9 months, the project developed into a richly collaborative piece shaped collectively by the people, places and stories of the town.
The unveiling event itself felt incredibly special. Before the artwork was even revealed, the room was already full of warmth and energy: contributors reconnecting, families gathering, conversations flowing and people sharing excitement about seeing the finished work for the first time. It was a powerful reflection of what community-led creative projects can achieve, not simply the creation of an artwork, but the creation of meaningful connection.
When the piece was finally unveiled, it was wonderful to watch people discovering the finished artwork, finding their own contributions, pointing out details to friends and family, sharing memories from workshops and stitching sessions and celebrating what had been collectively created together.
Throughout the project, participants told us:
- 86% felt more connected to Ashbourne
- 82% learned new skills
- 81% felt an increased pride in the town
- 81% met people they would not normally meet
These outcomes highlight the wider social value of participatory arts practice. Projects like Stitching Ashbourne can foster belonging, confidence, inclusivity, civic pride, and opportunities for people to connect across generations, backgrounds and experiences.
A huge thank you goes to every participant, volunteer, supporter, community group, organisation, school and local partner who contributed to the project along the way. The generosity, creativity and openness shown throughout the past 9 months have been extraordinary.
Special thanks also to the incredible team behind the scenes who helped shape and deliver the unveiling event itself, from preparation and installation through to welcoming visitors on the day. The celebration would not have been possible without such care, teamwork and commitment.
Although the unveiling marked the completion of this chapter of the project, it is certainly not the end of the journey for Stitching Ashbourne.
I’m delighted that the artwork will now become part of the brand new ARTbourne trail on 30th & 31st May before continuing on a wider tour of venues across the town, including:
- St Oswald’s Church
- Ashbourne Festival
- Ashbourne Library
- QEGS
- The Heritage Centre
One of the core aims of the project has always been ensuring the artwork remains accessible within the community that helped create it and I’m excited for even more people to experience the stories, stitches, and connections woven throughout the piece.
If you are – or know of – a local venue, café, school, community space, or organisation that would be interested in displaying Stitching Ashbourne, I would love to hear from you.
To accompany the project, the Stitching Ashbourne souvenir guide is also now available. The guide includes:
- behind the scenes photographs
- images of the final artwork
- the full display and tour schedule
- details about individual contributions and contributors
- project stories and highlights
- activities for children
Copies are £5 including postage and packaging.
To order, please email: laura_burrill@outlook.com
Thank you to everyone who has followed, supported, contributed to, and championed Stitching Ashbourne over the past 9 months. It has been a privilege to facilitate a project rooted so deeply in creativity, participation, and community connection, and I’m excited to see the artwork continue its journey across Ashbourne
Every Stitch A Story 