Let’s come together to build the Longest Linen Tablecloth!

We’re on a mission to make the Longest Linen Tablecloth as part of the 2023 Linen Biennale we have commissioned textile artist Emma Whitehead to begin the design process. This will be a co-designed and co-produced project with lots of opportunity to be involved, and eventually include an invitation to the big picnic when it’s completed! 

Since 2018 R-Space has been receiving donations of linen from the public… tablecloths, napkins, tray cloths, tea towels, all valued family pieces but no longer used.

As part of the Linen Biennale 2023, we aim to use these donations to make the longest linen tablecloth in Northern Ireland… maybe the world!

It all starts here! We’ll celebrate our linen history – the people, the places, the skills, and the industry – by collecting and transcribing your ‘Linen Memories’. These memories will be stitched, printed or painted on a linen runner to accompany the piece.

Toile de Jouy Print on Linen – facilitated by artist Robert Peters

As part of R-Space Gallery's commitment to improving wellbeing through engagement in the arts, the Linen Biennale 2023 was being accompanied by art workshops highlighting the innovative use of intaglio printmaking in 18th Century Ireland.

Artist Robert Peters worked with nine different community groups across Northern Ireland exploring the technique of Toile de Jouy print on linen highlighting the innovative use of intaglio printmaking in 18th Century Ireland for fabric printing.  This community engagement project engaged a range of groups across Northern Ireland in creating their own printed design onto linen. Using the pastoral patterns established by Nixon and made famous at Jouy, participants designed a contemporary image reflecting the use of rural and city green spaces, areas that saw an upsurge in use and appreciation during Covid. These workshops were free to participate in for selected groups. The community participants selected images relating to contemporary use of the countryside, mythology or animals.

R-Space Community Engagement

Thanks to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Arts Grants Scheme funding, R-Space were delighted to engage with a wide range of community participants in 2021.22. A series of events, workshops and educational outreach was delivered during this period, with each strand running alongside an exhibition within our annual programme.

The objectives included: To inspire, educate and encourage collaboration between the scientific and creative industries, To engage migrant community groups in a celebration of culture, and To explore the plight of migrating families in modern society, highlighting the connection we have to landscape and place.

Activities included educational workshops with Forthill Primary School, Screenprinting Workshops, and an International Teadance with Yallaa CIC, Tonagh Ladies Group, and the Intercultural Friendship Group, among others.

Build a Bridge

This project, informed by the historic links between Lisburn and The Wallace Collection, will engage clients from Action Mental Health, Stepping Stones and Positive Futures in a range of art techniques. Drawing, painting and printmaking will be introduced to participants over a series of workshops delivered at the groups’ centres.

R-Space is committed to engaging the wider public in arts activities that focus on high quality outcomes through skill development that enhances wellbeing. The Wallace Collection is an internationally outstanding collection which contains unsurpassed masterpieces of paintings, sculpture, furniture, arms and armour and porcelain. It provides a stock of inspirational artworks through which new skills can be developed.

The project seeks to extend R-Space’s outreach programmes and build new relationships within the Lisburn community. The project has been funded by The Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland and will be delivered by artist Robert Peters