Why Power?
For WOVEN 2027, we’ve chosen a theme that’s broad enough to inspire creativity and is open to interpretation, yet focused enough to spark meaningful conversations across the district.
POWER allows us to look back at our rich textile heritage – from the water, coal, and electricity that powered the machines of the industrial revolution, to the people whose labour drove change, from the Luddites to the women leading strikes in the mills.
It also lets us celebrate the power of community today: the artists, makers, community groups and volunteers who bring WOVEN to life, and the power of craft to connect people.
POWER invites us to think about how textiles can transform our environment – from playful yarn bombing to bold creative interventions. We want 2027 to be a year of big, visible, joyful change.
And of course, POWER lets us explore protest through textiles, from suffrage banners to contemporary “Reclaim the Night” messages – amplifying women’s voices across time.
But most of all, we’re excited to see how you interpret the theme.
We can’t wait to discover what the WOVEN community creates!
