Weaving an Exploration of Masson Mills

10am–5pm | Drop in throughout the day

What can textiles reveal about the stories held within a historic mill?

Discover a collection of textile artworks by Sue Russell, created in response to her three-year inquiry into Masson Mills and its place within the Derwent Valley.

Sue's research has taken her into the many layers of the mill's story, asking questions such as: Why cotton? Why here? Who worked here and where did they live? What choices did they have? What did they actually do within the mill? How much of what we see today is original? When did yarn production end – and what now for this historic site?

Rather than simply presenting the answers, Sue has drawn on her research as the starting point for a series of textile artworks, using creative practice to explore and interpret the people, place and histories she has encountered.

Displayed within Masson Mills itself, the works invite you to look at the building and its textile heritage through another lens – connecting research, history and contemporary making in the place that inspired them.

About Sue Russell

Sue Russell is a textile artist, weaver and doctoral researcher at the University of Derby. Her research into Masson Mills brings together four interconnected threads – the building, the river, the people and the cotton – using them to explore the evolution of this historic industrial site. 

Festival entry is free

Weaving an Exploration of Masson Mills in the Derwent Valley is free to explore and drop-in throughout the day. No separate booking is required.

We'd love you to register for the festival so we can keep you informed of any updates and important information ahead of the day. Registering also helps us understand how many people will be joining us and plan for the day.

Register your free festival place – Eventbrite

Accessibility

Accessibility information for Masson Mills, Home by Milestone and the festival can be found on the main Women Who Make Festival event page.

You can also find detailed venue access information on the Masson Mills website.

If you have any access requirements or would like to discuss your visit with us, please get in touch.