Abi James will participate in the ‘My World, My City, My Neighbourhood’ project as a community worker.
“I am primarily a textile artist, and I will be researching in Guiseley as a textile artist, looking at the incredibly unique heritage of the Guiseley cloth and wool trade, and investigating what this means for adults and youth today,” she explained.
“Our initial crochet project is currently under progress, and I’m collaborating with 45 local citizens to build a wonderful memory artwork.”
She stated that the project she is working on will allow her to interact with the local community as well as unearth potential and creativeness.
“I am honoured to be chosen to participate in this initiative, and I am excited to assist others in rediscovering and embracing creative expression,” she continued.
Abi, who lives in Guiseley with her new family, enjoys instructing painting and inspiring others to be creative.
“I’ve always loved crafting, and in high school I found an inspiring instructor who introduced me to textile art,” she explained. I worked at an Arts Therapy Centre while completing my degree in Fine Art Textiles and English Literature. It was a formative and inspiring period in my life, and I quickly caught the “teaching bug.”
Abi has worked as an Arts Founder in several elementary schools for the last 18 years.
“I have been fortunate to work on a wide range of creative projects with a wide range of fabulously talented individuals and have loved every moment of my time and work in state education,” she said.
“This year, my dream came true, yet I still create art and teach from my own Art Studio, with students ranging in age from 6 to 76.”
After being influenced by a magnificent yarn artwork in the village of Hawes, Abi chose to utilise crochet in the project. During the pandemic, she concentrated on honing her crochet talents.
Since starting to instruct crochet, I’ve heard some beautiful firsthand accounts of how the functioning mills brought the community together. Because all these mills moulded so many lives, I think it’s amazing that wool may once again unify our community and serve as a focal point for creative expression, well-being, and optimism.”
