This exhibition presents twelve three-dimensional hand-sewn dolls made by the women of the Chatters and Matters Tullamore Traveller’s Women’s Shed. These dolls were made as part of ‘Threading Needles, Telling Stories’, a storytelling through doll-making project led by Artist and doll-maker Teresa Doyle which was funded by Creative Ireland. The purpose of this project was to explore Traveller heritage and culture in a new way, with each doll serving as a vessel for participants to demonstrate and tell the stories of their Traveller experiences. Through this project, each participant had the opportunity to explore and share their heritage and culture in a new way, through the creation of a three-dimensional fabric doll-like figure. The dolls are an effigy that served as a vessel to help demonstrate and tell the stories of the participant’s Traveller experiences, which reawakened skills that might have been inherent for some group members. Skills including planning, designing, pattern-making, pattern-cutting, pressing, stitching, knitting and garment assembly were undertaken and practiced throughout this project. Threading Needles, Telling Stories Exhibition official launch is at 18.00pm on 13th August. Open throughout Heritage Week, check Tullamore Library branch opening hours

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Tullamore Library, Co. Offaly