Please note the Exhibition will be closed to the public all day on Wednesday 3 June and the afternoon of Friday 5 June, Saturday 13 June and Tuesday 16 June due to private events.
Stitch for Change is an initiative led by the Refugee Buddy Project, a refugee and migrant-led charity supporting local communities and offering friendship to people seeking refuge and safety across Hastings, Rother and Wealden. Now in its fifth year, Stitch for Change shares stories of resilience, survival and belonging through the collective and restorative processes of textile-making and storytelling, bringing together local and refugee communities to exchange experiences.
Responding to this year’s national Refugee Week theme, ‘Courage’, the Stitch for Change workshops were designed and facilitated by fashion designer and educator Erin Lewis in the De La Warr Pavilion studio. Participants explored personal experiences and ideas around courage, reflecting on finding their voice and overcoming challenges. The workshops provide collaborative and supportive spaces to develop communication skills through the therapeutic medium of textiles. Stitch for Change was originally established by Rossana Leal, CEO of The Refugee Buddy Project, and draws inspiration from the Chilean Arpillera movement of the early 1970s, which continues today as a form of resistance through textiles.
The group is also influenced by the Manifesto of Fashion as Resistance and the protest clothing of Mexican designer Carla Fernández, with whom Erin Lewis has collaborated for two decades. This exhibition presents a diverse collection of handcrafted textile works incorporating embroidery and patchwork. Each piece carries a powerful message of courage, solidarity, community and hope. Everyone is welcome to attend our World Refugee Day Celebration Event on Saturday 20 June at the De La Warr Pavilion.
Participants:
Mahjabin Ahmadi, Aisha Alhoury, Raabah Hamzah Allouch, Roa Almadi, Hiyam Birwari, Sayma Dar, Michele Eaton, Bintu Lucy Edogun, Tetiana Fazlyieva, Felix Ford, Parwana Jalil, Oula Kanaan,
Fatima Kayhan, Gülin Kaykisizli, Viktoriia Khruslova, Rossana Leal, Yasmin Leonard-Mohammed,
Ayssar Al Amour Metlak, Rangina Nazhat, Nafesa Oaryakhel, Khadija Oteilli, Khadija Kagaz Kafi Otiei, Igor Palmik, Ariane Plumley, Jenny Pollitt, Kateryna Pushok, Hasina Rahmani, Nazanin Rahmani, Kim Sheung, Shabanam Shirzad, Shazia Soomro, Nada Sulyman, Lara Tremayne, Kim Whiting, Fatma Yusuf.
Acknowledgments:
Rossana Leal (CEO The Refugee Buddy Project), Lily Kim (Refugee Buddy Project Coordinator), Erin Lewis (Workshop Facilitator), Giovanna Astolfo, Harriet Allsopp, Hiba Dahman, Yasmin Leonard-Mohammed, John Pidcock, Sophie Quinn, Craig Lawrence, Helen Fryer, Baby Delilah, Asra, Kathy Briscoe, Benbow Arts Space (The Bright Foundation), Erica Smith and all those who donated the textiles that were upcycled for this project, we hope you can recognise something that has been repurposed.
There are plenty of welcoming and good value B&Bs & boutique hotels in Bexhill. The De La Warr Pavilion regularly uses the following:
- By Rail
Direct trains go from London Victoria, Brighton and Ashford to Bexhill.
There are also trains from London Charing Cross, changing at St. Leonards Warrior Square and from London Bridge or Charing Cross going to Battle. Battle is only a short taxi journey away (15 mins approx).
Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for up-to-date train travel information. - Taxis
Town Taxis: 01424 211 511
Parkhurst Taxis: 01424 733 456 - By Car
If driving from the London area:
Take the M25, then A21 to Hastings. Turn off at John‘s Cross and follow the signs to Bexhill.
OR
Take the A22 to Eastbourne, go across the Bishop roundabout to the A271 and follow the signs to Bexhill and the seafront. The De La Warr Pavilion is on the Marina.
From the Brighton area:
Follow the A27 out of Brighton until you arrive in Bexhill On Sea. - Parking
Please be aware the Rother District car park outside the De La Warr Pavilion operates paid parking until 10pm. After this time parking is free. There is also limited free car parking along the seafront.
Within the limits of this Grade One listed building, the De La Warr Pavilion strives to be fully accessible with a range of facilities to support your visit.
Assistance Dogs are permitted into the building.
Please contact the Box Office on 01424 229 111 to arrange a visit.
Facilities for disabled visitors
- Ramped access at the front of the building
- A low counter at the Box Office and Information Desk
- Disabled toilets on two floors
- A lift to all floors
- Accessible galleries on both floors
- An accessible Café
- Spaces for wheelchairs in the auditorium for seated events
- Ramped access in the auditorium for events during the day
- Ramped access into the Studio
- Two travel wheelchairs are available for use at the De La Warr Pavilion. To reserve, please call our box office and information desk on (01424) 229111 or ask a member of staff on arrival. The chairs are provided on a first come, first served basis and are intended for use inside the Pavilion. Please contact us for more information.
Facilities for blind or visually-impaired
- Large print season brochures
Facilities for the hard-of-hearing
- An T-Switch induction loop in some areas of the auditorium (please indicate when booking as this facility is not available on the balcony)
- British Sign Language interpretation tours of the building and exhibitions are available on request.
Sensory Bags
- Sensory bags will be available from the Ground floor or First floor gallery and contain supportive items for people with neurodivergence, anxiety or sensory sensitives.Sensory bags include:
One set of ear defenders
A selection of fidget toys
One soft foam stress ball
A set of 6 coloured paddles
One light up magnifying glass. You can sign one out and bring it back before you leave.
Sensory bags are funded by UK Government.