The Pocket Project

On the 30th of May 20 Learners from 2 Community Sewing classes in County Galway travelled to the National Art Gallery in Dublin to mark the Exhibition of their Pocket Project which coincided with the current exhibition of the works of Lavinia Fontana.

Inspired by their tutor Helen Monaghan (GRETB) and with the collaboration of Galway Rural Development (GRD) through the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and Galway Traveller movement (GTM) the beady pocket Project began life in 2 community education classes in Athenry and Ballygar. Learners from both the Traveller and settled communities learned about the work of Lavinia Fontana, an Italian renaissance woman artist. They gained new sewing skills reviving the traditional techniques and customs of the Traveller beady pockets.

The pockets are decorated with embroidery, buttons, keepsakes and medals which were often exchanged between Traveller women, friends and relatives. When a button was swapped it was stitched onto another pocket and each item told a story of a person, time and place.

All the pockets are on display in the National Art Gallery in Dublin until the 27th of August.

For more information on the exhibition: