This exhibition shares work from a Dreadnought South West residency at Exeter Central Library in November 2023, part of a wider programme of work. A series of ‘Craftivism ’workshops were undertaken to mark the 10 year anniversary of Dreadnought’s first major project; Oxygen a touring theatre production, to celebrate the centenary of The Great 1913 Women’s Suffrage Pilgrimage, where women walked from Land’s End to Hyde Park demanding their right to vote.

There was an open invitation to take part in these workshops which were hosted by four different artists/facilitators; Ludmila Centurión, Nic Kittle, Kathy Norris and Kerrie Seymour who each bought their individual style and experience of art activism to the making week.

Participants shared experiences and ideas as they stitched, and the individual sections they created shown here, will eventually be part of a unique large scale textile piece celebrating Dreadnought South West’s work, and those involved in this community activity.

Founded in 2013, Dreadnought South West is a feminist organisation that works to connect individuals and communities through the telling and uncovering of great and courageous stories about women and non-binary people that have lain undiscovered and often untold.

Dreadnought South West is the guardian of the Rebellious Sounds Archive, a unique collection of stories about activism and social change spanning almost a century of voices. It is a community archive in the form of a touring mobile listening booth and is also shared digitally via their website. Occupy the Airwaves is the other central strand of Dreadnought’s work. An annual 16 hour occupation of Exeter’s Community Radio Phonic.FM on International Women’s Day.

www.dreadnoughtsouthwest.org.uk