Claire Wellesley-Smith is an artist, writer and researcher based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. She studied politics as an undergraduate at Newcastle University and has a Masters degree in Visual Arts from Bradford School of Art. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the Open University researching slow craft practices and engagement with personal and community heritage.
Her long-term community engagement projects explore textile heritage, wellbeing and slow craft techniques. She teaches extensively, working in adult education, schools, community-based projects, museums and galleries. Her workshops involve sustainable stitch, repurposed cloth, and traditional techniques.
Socially engaged arts projects are a key part of Claire’s practice. Her projects are often community-based and explore the ways that place, heritage and memory can connect people to their surrounding environment.
Her book Slow Stitch; Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art was published in 2015 by Batsford, London. and Resilient Stitch wellbeing and connection in Textile Art was published in 2021
You can find out more about Claire and her projects on her website