East Anglian Stitch Textiles (EAST) formed in 1995, is a forum of textile artists who explore the use of fibre and its many incarnations.

EAST members have researched and developed a body of work exploring the role of women both past and present. This includes specific examples of women who despite their gender and their circumstances have forged a path and a way forward either for themselves or for others to embrace. Explored themes include literary sources – remarkable British female novelists of the last 350 years. Another is outstanding female artists pre-twentieth century who refused to abandon their artistic calling. 

Additional themes embrace women who stepped outside the boundary of the expected norm either as a mark of defiance, a sense of greater self, a fundamental belief in their creative abilities or a primaeval sense of what is “right” in life. Areas of research are diverse and investigate various 19th & 20th-century communities where women, despite everyday hardship, fought for their rights and position in society.

An eclectic mix of strong women and heritage who relentlessly persevered.

East Members

Janette Bright

Felicity Borwick

Jenny Butcher

Susan Canfield

Chris Cannon

Mary McIntosh

Lynda Monk

Tricia North

Libby Smith

Vinny Stapley

Margaret Talbot

Julie Topsfield

This exhibition is in our upstairs galleries, accessed by stairs only