Chesterfield in Lockdown – A community exhibition
Chesterfield Museum has curated an exhibition to commemorate the experiences of the community during the Covid-19 Lockdown ahead of the third UK National Day of Reflection.
The community led exhibition includes a selection of art, textile, poetry, prose, music, film, and photography, as well as the Chesterfield Big Lockdown Textile, which is made up of 100 textile squares created by residents.
The exhibition is available to visit for free from Monday 6 March until Wednesday 26 April in the Assembly Rooms above Chesterfield Market Hall and will be open Monday to Saturday, from 11am to 3pm.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Covid-19 had a lasting impact on our community and whilst we are still recovering from some of the effects of the pandemic, this exhibition serves as a poignant reminder of that time but also an opportunity to reflect on our shared experience. From creating and delivering food parcels to keeping everyone connected through phone calls, our community worked together through lockdown to support and protect each other. This exhibition aims to celebrate our community and the resilience we showed through the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.
“This exhibition has been planned for three years and I would encourage everyone to visit and use this as an opportunity to think and reflect.”
During the first lockdown in 2020 Chesterfield Museum began planning how to commemorate the unprecedented situation, and it was decided to create an exhibition bringing together stories, items and art created by the community.
In 2021, the museum team began promoting and coordinating the creation of the Chesterfield Big Lockdown Textile which includes 100 fabric squares that were created by members of the local community. This textile artwork could not have been brought together without the help of Jenny Scott of the Chesterfield Embroiderers. This work has recently been on display in the Pavements Shopping Centre but the exhibition will allow visitors to get closer to the artwork.
Visitors to the exhibition are invited to leave a comment in the Chesterfield in Lockdownmemorial book where they can reflect on their experience, dedicate a thank you or message of love and pay tribute to anyone who passed away during this time.
There will also be a selection of activities for the whole family to try including paper weaving, colouring sheets, poetry, and family games.