National Gallery supports the Not in my Name Campaign
27 November 2020, 7pm-8pm, £5 per ticket
Join Artist Luisa-Maria MacCormack of The Big Art Herstory Project to look at the reasons behind the victim-blaming romanticised, colonial and male-orientated approach of some of the most famous and troubling paintings every made. Luisa-Maria will also consider interventions and activist projects by feminist artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi, who have added their voice to an ongoing debate. This event is brought exclusive to WI members through the WI/National Gallery partnership.
Design the Queen’s Birthday Card
Using calligraphy skills, WI members are invited to submit a piece of work, on behalf of the Women’s Institute, to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday. Work can be presented in any Calligraphy style, using any form of writing instrument associated with the art of Calligraphy. Members are invited to be as creative as they wish, using a single or various Calligraphy techniques, colours and ink. (We have a document which contains details of guidelines and closing date, which members must follow when submitting their finished piece of work. Just ask me!)
Crafting with the Chelsea College of Arts
Are you passionate about art and design? Are you skilled in weave, print, knit, stitch or embroidery? Would you like to team up with some of the UKs most experimental textile designers to create work which brings together the craft, expertise and heritage of the WI with contemporary design? Chelsea College of Arts, in partnership with the NFWI, are looking for skilled and forward-thinking craftswomen of the WI to take part in a project with BA Textile Design students, that will encourage skill-sharing, communication and creativity.
Elizabeth Bell Challenge 2021/2022
Running from January – December 2021, WIs are invited to compose a record demonstrating how their members have worked together to engage and support one-another throughout the year; offering opportunities that have united their members, as well as successfully marketing the WI to increase their membership. All members of the WI are encouraged to take part and contribute; from organising activities, photography, managing and writing the record(s), to designing and formatting the final entry. We want WIs to work together as a team and create a piece of work which proudly demonstrates the up’s and down’s of a year in the WI, as well a recognising the inspirational achievement made by all members that will go towards safeguarding another 100 years of the WI.
Walking Netball Activity Sessions Resume
Following the recent Government announcement, we are disappointed to confirm that community netball will be suspended with effect from Thursday 5th November. Despite this news, we will continue to do all we can to ensure netball will #RiseAgain
In the meantime, we will still be running our weekly virtual WI WN activity sessions every Monday evening at 7.30pm and every Thursday morning at 10.30am. These sessions are free to attend and are offered to all WI members (England, Wales and the Islands) regardless of whether or not you play Walking Netball, as an exclusive benefit through the NFWI/England Netball partnership. So please do join us and bring your fellow members. We will also be sharing a pre-recorded Walking Netball session once a month on My WI, so you can access a Walking Netball session when it is convenient for you. Please contact nicole.flaherty@englandnetball.co.uk to register your interest and receive a link to attend a virtual session.
Usually in November we have a friendly competition and lots of people enter all kinds of gorgeous creations. This year, the brief was ‘Through the looking glass’.
So far, we have one entry - have you created a piece especially for this competition? We have had lots of time at home this year! Please send me your photos if so - remember it can be any medium, any craft or activity: baking, flower arranging, modern dance (video footage, please), knitting, embroidery, mosaic....
Here is Tina’s ‘Through the Looking Glass’. Spectacular.
We had a great chat today about A Man Called Ove, and many other things, too!
Next month’s choice is Morality for beautiful girls by Alexander McCall Smith one of the First Ladies detective agency series set in Botswana
If you would like a second title, Ghost by Robert Harris was suggested.
We will meet again on zoom on Thursday 10th December at 2pm. All welcome! Just ask so that you can be invited to the zoom session!
