A THIRSK arts organisation is joining a national project to create artwork marking the centenary of women’s right to vote.

Rural Arts in Thirsk is one of 100 groups across the country to take part in the ‘Processions’ project which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act, which gave the first British women the right to vote.

Processions is being produced by Artichoke - the UK’s largest producer of art in the public realm - as part of 14-18 Now, the country’s official arts programme for the First World War centenary.

The project will see women and girls across the UK to come together on the streets of Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London on June 10 to mark the vote centenary in a living, moving portrait of women in the 21st century.

Rural Arts will work with women artists in the lead-up to the event, as part of an extensive public programme of creative workshops to create 100 centenary banners which will form part of this vast artwork.

The banner-making workshops will focus on text and textiles, echoing the practices of the women’s suffrage campaign.

The banners made will represent and celebrate the diverse voices of women and girls from different backgrounds.

Artichoke chief executive, Helen Marriage, said: “The 100th anniversary of the passing of legislation which made universal suffrage unstoppable is a moment both for celebration and reflection.”

Rural Arts’s first workshop will be on Tuesday, February 27 from 10am to 1pm and to book a free place, call 01845-526536.

Future dates will be added.