Legacy of Lace
In February 2021, artist Victoria Brown launched a crowd funder campaign for the Legacy of Lace project raising £1,802 to accompany the National lottery funding through arts Council England for the 5 artist residencies.
Over 11 years ago, she ran a successful arts research project called ‘Losing Lace’ which generated a lot of interest and allowed her discover a great deal about the history and importance of the lace industry in the Nottinghamshire area. Initially this was driven by her personal, family connections – starting with her Great Grandfather Thomas Stocks and finishing with her father who later became director of Birkins – but she soon realised how much there was to learn about the lace trade in Erewash.
“There’s so much more to explore and, since then, a whole new generation to inspire!” Victoria Brown
I first had the pleasure of meeting Victoria in October 2019 and worked with her on the Creative Living art project for older people in Derby, in my programme coordinator capacity at Artcore. During this time my husband, Rev. Edward Backhouse, mentioned he’d seen some beautiful work done at a school he was visiting in his parish. We realised it was Victoria’s and began to see how much Victoria was well known and loved by the people in Nottingham, Derby and Erewash. (Even going round for tea at a parishioner’s house we spotted a Victoria Brown original!)
Victoria has a person centred approach to the creative arts, engaging people of different ages and abilities to look deeper at the things around them and also within themselves, discovering new skills and growing in confidence. From the Frogs, Bogs and Tiny Things children’s project at Artcore Charnwood Street, to exploring the Roots, Shoots and Leaves with people in their 90’s at Parkland View Extra Care Living in Derby as part of Creative Living, watching her work has been a joy!
Last year in the midst of Lockdown One I invited her to do an Artist Takeover, in our online arts programme. It was great too hear her talk about her work.
Watch Victoria Brown’s Artist Takeover to find about Victoria’s practice.
Legacy of Lace Paper Cuts
I have been so inspired by Victoria’s father’s lace sample books I decided to produce a set of limited edition paper cuts celebrating the Erewash lace industry. As I live in Long Eaton in Erewash and am about to move to Tile Hill, Coventry with Rev. Edward Backhouse, I thought it’d be great to give a gift to celebrate the heritage of the area we have lived in over the last year and a half.
I created the papercuts by digitally sketching over pictures of the original samples and then putting them into my new Cricut which cuts them out. I then hand finish each piece to make sure it is perfect and every hole is cut out.
The papercuts are £15 each and all the funds go to the Legacy of Lace project. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and the edition number with your papercut.
Contact Victoria to purchase at victoria@victoriabrownart.com
Legacy of Lace
“Like the intricate patterns in lace, a community’s shared history is complex and fascinating. Lace has had a huge influence in Erewash’s past and continues to play an important role, with leading names in the design and manufacture of lace (such as Cluny Lace in Ilkeston and Neil Thorpe Lace Designs in Long Eaton) keeping Erewash firmly on the global lace map! While neighbouring Nottingham’s involvement in the lace trade is more widely known, not everyone is aware of Erewash’s wonderful legacy of making Nottingham Lace but it’s something we really want to get people talking about – initiating conversations between generations before some of the personal stories behind the patterns are lost. Through art and creativity we can encourage people of all ages to explore and enjoy this captivating subject: lace may be delicate but it’s nonetheless a strong cornerstone of our local heritage.”
Victoria Brown
