Piece of local history in stitch at exhibition

The Rotorua Embroiderer Guild's panel for the Tapestry Trust of New Zealand's ongoing project. Photo/Supplied

A tapestry panel showcasing a special event in local history will be one of many on display at the Rotorua Embroiderer Guild's upcoming exhibition.

The exhibition is being held from August 11 to 13 at the Dutch Clubrooms at Neil Hunt Park.

The guild's panel for the Tapestry Trust of New Zealand's ongoing project of over 100 depicting the history of New Zealand shows the 1886 Tarawera Eruption and destruction of the Pink and White Terraces.

The Rotorua Embroiderers Guild's president Linda Keach said the project was based on the Bayeux Tapestry, a 70m cloth depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England.

"It will show the history of New Zealand through stitch . . . we got advice from the Buried Village to get the right details."

Project co-ordinator for the Rotorua Embroiderer Guild, Carole Bates, said the full panel would eventually be housed in Dunedin.

"I had plenty of support from the members of the guild."

Mrs Keach said the guild applied to be part of the project and wanted to say thank you to the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust for their support.

"We have been stitching the panel for a year with six months of consultation."

Mrs Keach said the Tapestry Trust of New Zealand had consulted with historians from the art history, history and design studies at the University of Otago.

At the exhibition Mrs Keach said there would be 140 pieces on display, which the members have been working on for the past two years.

As the event is being held in the Dutch Clubrooms there is a Dutch theme, Mrs Keach said.

"This includes some old embroidery Dutch people stitched in 1872, from a great-great grandmother [of a member]."

She said there would be a variety of stitching techniques and completed pieces on display to show the versatility and scope of what embroidery is in the current age.

Mrs Bates she said she hoped people would come along and be inspired by the work.

"Hopefully some new members will sign up too."