The Button Project Macclesfield Museum

Here is an opportunity to take part in a local project which may be of interest

Call For Artists

The Button Project - Exhibition

14 June – 8 August 2013

The Heritage Centre, Macclesfield Museums

Artists and makers are invited to put their creative imaginations to work and make a button for a vibrant exhibition, The Button Project, at the Heritage Centre, Macclesfield. 

Your button will be part of a stunning display of over 100 highly collectible contemporary buttons launched as part of Macclesfield's Barnaby Festival, Visual Art Trail,14 - 30 June, 2013. They will be presented alongside Macclesfield Museum’s internationally important silk costume collection – that also includes a fine display of Macclesfield Silk Buttons.

Macclesfield was the heart of UK’s historic silk industry, and silk-related businesses are still active in the town. Handmade silk buttons was where it all began.  From a cottage-based enterprise, it grew into a flourishing silk industry and helped to make the town what it is today. The four sites that make up Macclesfield Museums - the Heritage Centre, the Silk Museum, Paradise Mill and West Park Museum - are an acknowledged treasure, showcasing all aspects of silk use and production as well as a range of changing contemporary and historic exhibitions.

Barnaby is a popular Festival of arts, culture and fun - a recent reinvention of the centuries old tradition of celebrating the feast day of St Barnabas, and held in the town centre. 

Your button will be a tiny work of art in its own right. You might want to take this opportunity to explore the Barnaby Festival theme this year, ‘metamorphosis’.  However you play it, this is a fantastic chance to showcase your artwork in the UK’s premier silk attraction and celebrate our skills and heritage.

Every button received by the deadline will be exhibited at the Heritage Centre from 14 June to 8 August 2013. The buttons will be on sale to the public, and commission from the sales will go towards sustaining the Museum collections.

Your button should be 1.5 to 3cm wide x 1.5 to 3 cm high, and up to 3cm thick. It doesn’t have to be round, but it must have a shank on the back or two or more holes in the button itself so that it can be fixed to a backing cloth.

Detailed specifications can be found on the 'Expression of Interest' form, downloadable from www.barnabyfestival.org.uk.  To take part in The Button Project, email a completed form to info@victoriascholes.com by 4 March 2013.  There is no charge to submit work.

Expressions of interest should be received by 4 March 2013. Finished buttons can be accepted until 4 May 2013.

A collaboration between locally based glass artist Victoria Scholes and Macclesfield Museums, the exhibition will be publicised as part of Barnaby Festival's, Visual Arts Trail.

For more information, contact Victoria  info@victoriascholes.com or 01625 425049