Featured image: From the Collection: The Baker’s Shop by Renee Leale 20th C
The theme for the 2026 Members’ Project is Look In, Look Out.
The first idea that may spring to mind is looking in (or out of) a window. But let’s go beyond the obvious.
Are you looking into a box? What do you see – layers of tissue paper with a gift hidden in the folds? Old letters tied with ribbon and caught in the bow, a faded rose that raises a wistful smile? Chocolates? Old keys, discarded pens and paraphernalia that was chucked in because ‘one day it might be needed’? Is it a bottle of champagne or something else that recalls a special event?
Are you looking into a handbag? Once there was a purse, a diary (with pen), a set of keys, maybe a handkerchief and an umbrella……now you see one sleek all-encompassing mobile that does it all. Is the handbag being replaced by the back pocket?
What of looking into someone’s eyes – do you see joy and fun or are they full of confusion and sorrow?
The 16th proverb says the eyes are the ‘window to the soul’ because there is nowhere else to see a glimpse of someone’s spirit. Who are you looking at and what do you see?
To look into a subject means to research, delve deeper and to discover. What intrigues you, makes you want to know more, and how would you interpret that in stitch?
But back to the obvious ……are you looking through a window into a living-room, neat and tidy, reflecting occupants who spend many hours at work and not so many enjoying their home. Or is it full of children’s toys, the dog basket, last week’s newspapers and discarded biscuit wrappers? Maybe you can see the kitchen or dining room of a house lived in for many years and full of memories for the elderly inhabitants, but sadly now looking neglected. Or are you looking into a wardrobe with hats and shoes or a kitchen cupboard with packets and jars that hint at culinary delights yet to be created?
‘Look Out’ suggests a view from the window onto the garden or street, or even the panoramic view over the sky scrapers of a busy city. Do you see a country garden, full of colour, or the easy-maintenance lawn with plants in pots? Do you have memories of views over the Scottish highlands, Italian hills and grapevines, Germanic castles or ancient cobbled streets?
What of the window itself? Is it a stained-glass church window, looking out over the stones and monuments celebrating past lives; or a mullioned tudor window, not quite straight and nestling amongst the architecture of pale stone and deep windowsills? Or is it a car window through which you watch the landscape flashing by.
For nature-lovers a look-out provides a secret place from which to quietly observe the birds and animals in their natural habitat. That may be hidden away in the woods or the back seat of a jeep on a South African reserve. Are there tiny birds inside the bird-box, high up in the nest, or creatures deep in their burrow?
Is someone shouting ‘Look out!’ – a warning to be careful, to heed what is around you, and take care; but is that on a city street or edge of a mountain walk?
Maybe you want to do both – the In and the Out – rather than one view. To contrast side-by-side the two views of one subject. Whatever you may see, and from wherever you may view it, we look forward to your interpretation in stitch of ‘Look In, Look Out’.
You will need to be a member to take part, but you can initially register your interest and the piece will need to be completed and submitted by end of August 2026. Login to access the Guidelines and Forms
Note: Your piece should be a new and original piece of work. You cannot use a pre-purchased kit or design of any sort.
