Picking Up the Thread: Celebrating 20 Years of the British Tapestry Group
This winter, the British Tapestry Group marks a remarkable milestone with Picking up the Thread: The Past, Present and Future of Tapestry, a major touring exhibition celebrating two decades of creative exchange, technical excellence and woven storytelling. Juried by leading weavers Joan Baxter, Fiona Hutchison and Caron Penney, the exhibition brings together more than 90 works by 69 artists from across the UK and beyond—proof that tapestry, one of our oldest textile forms, continues to reinvent itself for contemporary eyes.
"Amour Aspect" by Jennie Moncur. Hand woven tapestry, 1330 x 890mm. Woven on a wool warp - with wool, linen and silk coloured weft threads.
At its heart, the exhibition reflects what the BTG set out to champion twenty years ago: the slow, meticulous art of hand-woven tapestry. Yarn passed horizontally over and under vertical warps may appear simple, but the process becomes astonishingly complex when blending colours, forming shapes or building depth. Every thread is placed with intention in an ethos shared by all artists featured in this anniversary show.
"Offering to the Sun and Moon" by Sabine Hyland. 25 x 30cm. Linen warp, alpaca, silk, wool, gold and silver weft.
Following its summer debut at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries, the exhibition is now open at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, where it will remain until 14 February 2026. Dovecot, a historic centre for tapestry and textile art, provides the perfect backdrop for an exhibition that reflects both continuity and change: traditional fibres such as wool, silk and linen appear alongside cotton and modern materials, while age-old techniques meet new design approaches.
"Unravelling" by Kate Gill. 45.5 x 45.5cm. Unbleached linen warp, unbleached, dyed and undyed linen weft, beeswax.
Selecting the works was no easy task. The open call drew a remarkable number of submissions from well-known artists and makers who weave purely for pleasure, far exceeding expectations. The jurors’ careful evaluation has resulted in a vibrant exhibition that captures the depth and diversity of contemporary tapestry practice.
The tour continues in 2026 to The Market Hall in Devonport (2–18 March) and Morley Gallery, London (13–25 July), extending the reach of the BTG’s anniversary celebrations. It is a fitting itinerary for a group founded in 2005 by five weavers (Ros Bryant, Janet Clark, Beryl Hammill, Shirley Ross and Nicola Wheeler) who recognised the need for a supportive network at a time when tapestry courses and exhibitions were dwindling. Their initiative has since grown into a thriving national and international community, nurturing beginners and professionals alike.
"Timescape" tapestry by Sara Trist.
So what does the future look like? Tapestry is shifting. No longer a symbol of wealth or privilege, it has become a medium through which artists explore social inequality, climate change and the world around them. Increasingly, tapestry moves beyond the wall, embracing recycled materials, metals, plastics and mixed-media approaches.
As younger makers join the fold, community weaving groups multiply, and social media opens new avenues for connection, the future of tapestry looks bright. The British Tapestry Group remains a binding thread, ensuring this heritage craft stays visible, accessible and creatively alive.
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Further Information:
Picking up the Thread: The Past, Present and Future of Tapestry is on now at the Dovecot, Edinburgh, until 14 February 2026.
More information and associated events can be found at The British Tapestry Group.
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Image Credits:
Lead: "Collapsing Perspective" by Alistair Duncan, 165 x 152cm.
All further images as credited in photo captions.