Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum and Aberration present:

Pockets of Pride

What is ‘Pockets of Pride’ all about?

It’s time to queer up the museum collection – and you can be part of it!

‘Pockets of Pride’ is a series of three creative workshops for LGBTQI+ people where we will come together as a group to put a queer spin on traditional Eisteddfod purses.

These purses were small prize bags – often elaborately decorated – given to winners of Eisteddfod competitions in the past. The winners would proudly wear them throughout the festival week.

In our playful sessions, you will be supported to stitch, fold and stick a pouch, pocket or purse. Each piece will have its own unique ‘purse-onality’, reflecting your own stories!

The group’s creations will form part of a new permanent LGBTQI+ display at Ceredigion Museum.

When and where do the workshops take place?

For LGBTQ History Month 2026 on three consecutive Saturdays:
21 February, 28 February and 7 March, from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Venue: Aberystwyth Bandstand (on the seafront). The venue has good disabled access.

Who are the Pockets of Pride workshops for?

Anyone identifying as part of the LGBTQI+ community and who can commit to all three purse-making workshops. You don’t need experience of sewing or craft, and all materials are provided.

Workshops are free and include light refreshments. Participants will receive a £50 voucher (multi-store gift card) each week in recognition of your contribution.

Places are limited and will be allocated to the first eight people to sign up.

How do I book my place?

First make sure you’ve read this information carefully, then send an email headed ‘Pockets of Pride’ to Carrie: museum@ceredigion.gov.uk

Details of Workshops

SESSION ONE:

What Do You Prize as a Queer Person?

Together we’ll explore what you hold dear – the values, stories and identities that shape you. Through creative exercises, we’ll begin to imaginatively shape the spirit and intention behind your own handcrafted purse, pocket or pouch.

The museum’s curator, Carrie Canham, will join us to give the context of the project, which is inspired by the historical Eisteddfod purses in the current collection. She will share how our creations will contribute to a new LGBTQI display.

SESSION TWO:

Sew your own way

Working with our hands and hearts; we’ll choose fabrics and threads, and start cutting, sticking, assembling and stitching. With guidance and support from Rose and the group, you’ll bring your design to life.

SESSION THREE:

Stitch and finish

Adding the finishing touches to complete our pockets and purses, we’ll explore ways to display them as part of the exhibition at Ceredigion Museum, celebrating our queer creativity. Together we’ll reflect upon and document the process with photographs and words.

Who is facilitating the workshops?

Rose Thorn has worked as a community artist within health and education settings; she is passionate about the therapeutic uses of the arts with people who often feel disempowered. Her own practice has focused on textiles.

Her last collaboration with Ceredigion Museum was with ‘Voices from the Edge’, a global majority group that explored their responses to colonial objects loaned from the British Museum. This culminated in a group exhibition where her hand-sewn drape, called ‘Wake’, explored the movement of people across the seas.

Rose is also a Playback Theatre performer and trainer, which honours personal stories by instantly ‘playing-back’ what the audience shares. Her interest in the body, breath and mind continues with teaching local yoga classes.

Run by Ceredigion Museum in association with Aberration

Supported by Museums Federation Cymru

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