Leeds Libraries are delighted to be one of the 80 Arts Council England-funded Our Freedom projects, including libraries, art centres, and museums, who are focused on bringing communities together to reflect and celebrate creatively on the freedoms enjoyed after the end of WW2, inspired by a specially commissioned poem, Freedom Road by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

Leeds’ project, entitled Threads of Freedom, has centred around a programme of make do and mend-style textile workshops with community groups, and open classes which led to the creation of a new Leeds Tapestry panel and digital artwork.

Commissioned artists incorporated ideas produced by community groups and curated selected pieces into a finished panel design. The outcome of the project – a new tapestry panel – is to be celebrated at Leeds Central Library in November. It will become part of the established Leeds Tapestry.

Freedom4Girls will be in attendance as a fantastic new initiative is also launched to provide free reusable period products in Leeds Central Library.

All participants and partners are invited to join the celebration which will include relaxing embroidery, zine making, live music and the team from 7by7 will be inviting people to bring their favourite seven inch singles along to play on the decks.

The Leeds Tapestry can be viewed during library opening hours and guided tours may be available via ticketsource.