For Norfolk Makers Festival 2023, I organised a series of online lectures that brought together some of the most compelling curators, writers and academics working at the forefront of craft scholarship today. From the colonial legacy of the cotton industry to the political embroidery of Mary Queen of Scots, these lectures sought to move, inspire and enrich anyone interested in the captivating history of the needle and thread. Featuring Amber Butchart, Clare Hunter and Claire Wellesley-Smith, among others.

In August 2023, I organised an online event to celebrate the launch of Daniel Fountain’s new book ‘Crafted with Pride: Queer Craft and Activism in Contemporary Britain. The event featured an in-conversation with myself, Daniel Fountain and Eleanor Medhurst, a lesbian fashion historian and contributing author to the book.

To celebrate the launch of the Common Threads Press publication ‘Rights Not Charity: Protest Textiles and Disability Activism’ by Gill Crawshaw, I hosted a special ‘Craft in Conversation’ event with the author. Gill talked about her experience with disability activist campaigns, the history of protest banners in these campaigns, and the publication itself. There was also a Q&A discussion where attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and join in the conversation.

To celebrate the book ‘Stitching Freedom: Embroidery and Incarceration’ by embroidery historian and curator, Isabella Rosner, I organised a special event at Norwich Castle. The event featured an in-conversation between Isabella and Ruth Battersby, Senior Curator (Costume and Textiles) as well as an object viewing of Lorina Bulwer's samplers from the Norwich Castle collection.

In November 2022, I curated a selection of art, crafts and zines to celebrate our latest publication Slow Grown: Plants, Folklore & Natural Dyeing by Ciara Callaghan.

We also hosted a launch event with Ciara, where we talked about natural dyeing, quilts and the process of writing the publication.

In July 2022, I was commissioned by Latitude Festival to bring together the best in the UK’s self-publishing scene. The result was Latitude Zine Fest—a celebration of art, craft and design in the form of zines.

We renovated a shed to showcase the work of over 40 zine makers and I programmed a full weekend programme of free art workshops.

In June 2022, I co-ordinated a one-day event to bring together zine makers from all around the country to sell and swap their work.

At the heart of the event was creating a community of makers that can get to know one another, and support each other.

This event was organised as part of the exhibition What Lies Beneath: Women, Politics, Textiles at the Women’s Art Collection. I programmed and chaired a panel discussion on contemporary quilting with Jess Bailey, Ferren Gipson, Jahnavi Inniss and Elaine Yau. The event had over 150 attendees, a record number for the Collection.

In July 2022, I worked with Tatter Blue Library to programme and organise an online event with Sharbreon Plummer, author of the Common Threads Press publication Diasporic Threads: Black Women, Fibre & Textiles, and Michelle Bishop, founder of Harlem Needle Arts.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, I organised a series of online workshops in a variety of media with the aim of bringing people together through accessible, creative activities. The events were well-attended by people across the UK and beyond.

I worked with Alice Pomfret of Akin Magazine to curate a week-long pop-up shop on St Augustine’s Street in Norwich. We showcased publications from across the UK in the categories:

Art ~ history, crafts, literature

Activism ~ change, care, community

Nature ~ landscapes, connection, environment

Norwich ~ made in the fine city