The Threads of Connection

Creative practitioners Alice Bygraves and Holly Sandiford are behind the Threads of Connection art exhibition which opens in Norwich today. Here, Alice and Holly explain how it is the culmination of a three-year project where participants have learnt about the rich textile history of Norwich

Who are you both and what do you do?

Holly Sandiford – Artist and Co-Director of ArtatWork CIC: I’m an artist and creative health practitioner based in Norwich, and one of the directors of ArtatWork CIC. I run creative, nature and heritage projects with people who often face barriers to accessing museums and the arts. My background spans community arts, mental health, museum partnerships and participatory research. My own practice brings together drawing, photography and nature-based processes, and I’ve worked for over twenty years in creative health roles across Norfolk’s cultural and wellbeing sectors.

Alice Bygraves – Textile Artist and Museum Professional: I’m a Textile Artist and creative practitioner with a background in museums, galleries, and the narts. After over a decade working in cultural institutions — curating exhibitions, handling collections, and supporting artists — I’ve returned to making with my hands. My current work focuses on visible mending, quilting, and sustainable fashion. I run workshops, collaborate with artists, and contribute to projects that explore repair, storytelling, and care through textiles. Whether I’m stitching, curating, or collaborating, I’m guided by a deep appreciation for materials, history, and the quiet power of craft.

What led you to become a textile artist?

I have always loved textiles. My grandmother taught me to knit when I was 5 years old and I have strong memories of textiles around the home when I was little. How fabric felt against my fingers, its colours or smell. After studying Roman archaeology, I worked in museums and galleries for 10 years and I was often drawn to clothes, textiles and handmade objects. Over time I went from darning clothes and mending them to making my own, weaving, quilting and collaborating with artists to realise their textile dreams! Then I realised I was the artist myself.

And how would you describe Norwich’s textile heritage?

The textile heritage of Norwich is incredibly rich and during this project participants have been able to explore many parts of this history. Norwich was once one of the most important textile centres in England. From the 16th century onwards, it became famous for its Worsted wool, its richly coloured dyes, and later its silk shawls. The arrival of the Dutch and Flemish “Strangers” transformed the city’s weaving industry. They brought new techniques, new looms, and new patterns that put Norwich on the map. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Norwich was producing world-renowned fabrics like crepes, camlets and the famous Norwich Shawls, exported across Britain and abroad.

This strong textile base later helped the city’s shoe industry flourish. Many of the skills, workshops and supply chains that supported weaving and dyeing fed directly into footwear production. By the late 19th and early 20th century, Norwich had become a major centre for shoe manufacturing, with companies like Start-Rite and Norvic becoming household names. The move from cloth to leather goods shows how the city adapted its long tradition of making and craftsmanship.

The industry shaped the city: its wealth, its streets, its migration stories and its working lives. So much of Norwich still carries that history in its buildings, its museums and even its place names.

Holly – Can you remind readers what Art at Work CIC does?

ArtatWork uses creativity and heritage to support wellbeing. We work with adults with mental health challenges, people with learning disabilities, and those facing isolation. Through long- term programmes, we weave together hands-on making, museum visits, heritage research, and gentle creative exploration. Everything is co-designed, accessible and built around connection and confidence. Alongside this, we create heritage resources for museums, run wellbeing training, and support participants into volunteering roles in cultural settings.

What can you tell us about the upcoming Threads of Connection exhibition? It has been three years in the making?

Threads of Connection brings together three years of exploring Norwich’s textile industry, from the 1500s right through to the present day. We’ve looked at everything from natural dyeing, spinning and weaving to the impact of migration, fast fashion, women’s labour and colonial trade. The exhibition includes textiles, sculpture, drawing, papier mache and painting. Every piece reflects a story: of heritage, but also of wellbeing, curiosity and community. It’s a celebration of the creativity of the many people who have taken part.

What is the main aim of the project?

The project aims to improve wellbeing through creativity and heritage. We want people who might find museums intimidating or inaccessible to feel welcome and able to explore Norwich’s textile history in hands-on, imaginative ways. It builds skills, from natural dyeing to research methods, and creates opportunities for volunteering, connection and confidence. It also brings hidden histories to the surface: women’s roles, migration, sustainability, colonial links, and the everyday stories behind cloth.

Would you like to name-check any of the people involved in the project?

We’d love to. Our core women’s group have been central to shaping the project from the beginning. Alongside this we have been working with groups at The Museum of Norwich on shorter projects, which has been fabulous. We’ve also worked with the Barrington Farm artists, an arts centre for artists with learning difficulties. Every person involved has shaped it in their own way. Our volunteers on this project have been ‌especially wonderful; a big shout-out to Helen, David, Tracy, Jos, Geraldine, Annie and Alison! Thank you.

What organisations/museums have been involved?

We’ve worked closely with the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell, Strangers Hall, Mind REST Hub, Barrington Farm Arts Centre, the Norfolk Heritage Centre, Norfolk Record Office, and the Makers Festival. An extra special thanks goes to Hannah Henderson, the curator at The Museum of Norwich at The Bridewell for her unwavering support. A huge thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting us to do such a wonderful project!

Any future projects you would like to share?

Holly: On Monday February 3, 2026, I’m running a free “Meet a Wild Plant” drawing and alternative photography workshop at Pilling Park Community Centre for Norfolk and Waveney Mind, 1.15–2.30pm. To book, people can email lucy.allen@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk.

Alice: I am looking to collaborate with creative practitioners and artists. If you have a project or exhibition you would like to realize involving textiles, please get in touch on my Instagram (@sunny_figs).

The Threads of Connection Art Exhibition is being held at the Anteros Arts Foundation in Norwich from today (Tuesday November 25) 2025 to Sunday November 30, 2025. The opening hours are: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 10am- 2pm. There is a private view on Thursday November 27, 2025, 5-7pm, which is open to everyone. On Tuesday 25 November, 2025 Alice and Holly are running a Fabric Manipulation Workshop with Felicity Brown (Artist and NUA Lecturer). There will be two sessions, 10.30am–1pm and 2–3.30 pm. It is free with no booking needed. Just drop by and get creative! You can visit our Instagram page to learn more (@artatworknorwich).

Featured image of (left to right) Alice and Holly – supplied