The second phase of the project has been funded by Heritage Lottery to help us deliver our two major exhibitions; ‘Standing In This Place: Global Cotton Connections’ at the Museum of Making, Derby, and ‘Standing In This Place: Speak Her Name’ at the ArtCore Gallery, Derby, to highlight some of the amazing participatory work behind this co-created arts and heritage project.

Whilst our sculpture gives representation to the under-represented, giving voice and recognition to the contributions of thousands of unnamed women connected through cotton, we wanted to showcase historic named women within Speak Her Name.

Rachel began working with artists, Anisha Parmar & Ismail Khokon, to deliver a range of creative workshops at the ArtCore Gallery, Derby, reflecting the global cotton story, and the Swadeshi movement that swept across South Asia, and celebrating the resistance, suffering and successes of women that has shaped our shared histories. Come and see the installation made up of 300 community artworks held in embroidery hoops, our film, image slide show and more.

Open daily Tues - Sun 11am - 5pm

Join artist Rachel Carter as she shares her sculptural journey researching her ancestors working in the Darley Abbey cotton Mill of the early 1800’s and the textile industries links to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and how this developed into a new sculpture highlighting the contributions of women to the wealth of the industrial Midlands.

Hear some of the poetry written as part of the Standing In This Place project that asked why only 5% of public statues in the UK represent women and even fewer women of colour.

Produced by Derby Museums as part of Derby Book Festival.

Our Book Fair returns to the Museum of Making. Discover stories old and new, hear local writers read from their work - or take a chance with one of our mystery books! We’ll have a range of stalls including authors, publishers and book-related crafts.

Rachel will be at the event with the Standing In this Place poetry books and craft kits.

Standing in this place: diversity and public art

Royal Society for the Arts FELLOWSHIP EVENT

27 Mar 2023 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM 

What does the art in our public places tell us about the stories we choose to remember and pass on? What (and whose) stories remain hidden; absent from public view?

As the city contemplates proposals for a new statue in the Broad Marsh area, join us for a stimulating evening of learning, conversation and connection.

Historically many of our statues have been erected by leading civic organisations, businesses and public subscription. They celebrate and commemorate events and people that have helped shape our cities and nations. But did you know only 5% of public statues in the UK represent women and even fewer women of colour? What does their absence signify?

At this event you will:

• Learn what Dr James Dawkins discovered about public statues and plaques in Nottingham.

• Hear the story of Rachel Carter’s sculpture, connecting local women textile workers with enslaved women working in the cotton fields of America and the Caribbean.

• Meet members of the Legacy Makers – the Black community group working to inform residents and visitors of the contribution of enslaved people to the prosperity of the textile industries in the East Midlands.

• Discover the opportunity to join with the National Justice Museum, the Museum of Making, independent philanthropists and interested citizens, to erect this nationally important statue in the heart of Nottingham.

• Grab a drink and network with others helping to shape the city, the region and the local and national stories we pass on.

An annual celebration of makers and making of all shapes and sizes at the new Museum of Making.

Following the success of last year’s event, ‘Assemble: Derby’s Making Festival’ returns to the Museum of Making on Saturday 22nd October 2022, this year featuring Aardman Animation!

Produced by Derby Museums, Assemble is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, which aims to celebrate making in all its shapes and forms. Bringing together artists and makers from varied disciplines to share their passion and skills with the public and to encourage others to have a go at making themselves.

Last year’s event saw audiences of over 900 in attendance and featured more than 50 makers on-site, with demonstrations in everything from ceramics and embroidery to laser-cutting, weaving, jewellery-making, metalwork, robotics and automata, visitors could also try workshops in clay-modelling, knitting, coding, origami and letterpress printing to name but a few.

Assemble is an opportunity to share your passions and skills, network with other makers and artists and inspire the makers of the future all in the glorious surroundings of the Museum of Making, a UNESCO World Heritage on what is widely regarded as the site of the world’s first factory.