Digswell Arts is delighted to share that Digswell Alumni Connie Flynn will be exhibiting her work TEXT & TEXTILE! at Farfield Mill, Sedbergh, from 15 July to 13 September 2026.

The exhibition brings together Connie’s long-standing interest in textiles, language, heritage and material storytelling. Inspired by familiar phrases that we use in everyday conversation, TEXT & TEXTILE! explores the surprising origins of words and sayings connected to the textile industry and textile mills.

Through careful research, Connie discovered that many common phrases have roots in the language of cloth, labour and making. These phrases have been hand stitched onto repurposed domestic cloth and traditional white cotton garments using contrasting red thread, creating works that are both intimate and quietly powerful.

Alongside the stitched textile pieces, Connie also incorporates outcomes from a recent artist residency exploring the traditional process of letterpress. By bringing together hand stitching and letterpress, the exhibition creates a layered conversation between text, time, history and heritage.

Connie’s multi-skilled practice has developed over more than three decades of exhibiting across the UK and internationally. Her work combines traditional techniques with contemporary approaches, often using found, recycled or sustainably sourced materials. At the heart of her practice is a thoughtful relationship with cloth, process and the stories materials can hold.

Connie says:

“It is important to me to create textile objects by using materials sourced with thought, whether it is recycled cloth and thread or natural fibres from sustainable sources. There is often a ‘food for thought’ narrative in my work, representing and making connections between time and place, materials and people.”

Connie has a B.A. (Hons) in Art and Education, formal teacher training, and is a qualified Art Therapist. She has extensive experience of residencies in museums, schools and community settings, supporting others to develop confidence and skills through making. In 2015, she completed a B.A. (Hons) in Contemporary Textiles in Shetland, graduating her third year with a distinction.

TEXT & TEXTILE! is an opportunity to experience Connie’s thoughtful and deeply considered approach to textile practice, where words, cloth and memory come together through hand, process and research.

Exhibition Details

Text & Textile! – Connie Flynn
15 July – 13 September 2026
Farfield Mill
Garsdale Road
Sedbergh
Cumbria
LA10 5LW

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am – 4pm.