Weaving for Wellbeing – A Year of Creativity, Nature and Connection
Celebrating the achievements of the women at The Comfrey Project
We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of the women who have taken part in our year-long Weaving for Wellbeing project, with their beautiful artwork now on display at the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead from 10th–24th October 2026.
Developed in partnership with Dingy Butterflies CIC, funded by Arts Council England, and led by artists Savannah Rios-Wills and Saya Naruse, the project has brought women together each week to explore creativity, nature and the changing seasons.
Throughout the year, the women have taken inspiration from The Comfrey Project’s gardens, gathering and growing natural materials to use in a wide range of creative activities. From natural dyeing, weaving and willow basket making to printing and creating a collaborative patchwork quilt, each activity has offered opportunities to learn new skills, experiment with different techniques and share knowledge from different cultures.
But the project has been about much more than creating artwork. It has provided a welcoming space where women from different backgrounds can come together, develop friendships, share stories and build confidence through creativity and a shared connection with nature.
The exhibition at the Shipley Art Gallery marks the culmination of this wonderful journey, bringing together the women’s work and celebrating everything they have learned and achieved.
For many of the women, seeing their artwork displayed in a public gallery has been a particularly special experience.
One participant shared:
“Seeing our creations displayed at the exhibition made me feel so genuinely happy and grateful. It gave us the chance to learn different types of artwork and truly unleash our potential.”
Another told us:
“I am proud that my artworks are being exhibited. I am so grateful to everyone at the Comfrey Project for making this possible for us. I look forward to having more of these wonderful events.”
Alongside the exhibition, a book documenting the activities, techniques and experiences from throughout the year has given participants a lasting record of their creative journey and the memories they have made together.
At The Comfrey Project, we have seen first-hand how bringing people together through gardening, nature and creative activities can help build connections, confidence and a sense of belonging. Weaving for Wellbeing has been a wonderful example of this, with the women not only learning from the artists but also sharing their own skills, experiences and traditions with one another.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Savannah and Saya for their creativity, encouragement and dedication throughout the year, to Dingy Butterflies CIC for developing the project with us, and to Arts Council England for making it possible.
Most importantly, we want to thank all the women who have taken part. Their enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to share and learn together have made the project something truly special.
The Weaving for Wellbeing exhibition is open at Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead, until Saturday 24 October 2026. We encourage everyone to visit and celebrate the women’s wonderful achievements: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/shipley/whats-on/weaving-for-wellbeing
Through nature, creativity and shared experiences, Weaving for Wellbeing has brought together different cultures, skills and stories, creating friendships and connections that will continue long after the exhibition ends.
