Designed by a Bradford College student, a stunning new curtain is taking centre stage at ‘The Beacon’ by Bradford 2025.
Selected through a competitive live brief, Rosemary Edwards’ design takes inspiration from historic French ribbons found in the Bradford College Textile Archive. Drawn to the intricate stripes, textures, and rich colours, Rosemary created a bold and playful design that captures the movement of kite tails and celebratory tent decorations. Her work complements the venue’s main feature curtain, created by Kangan Arora, and brings a sense of movement and festivity to the space.
Speaking about this success, Rosemary said: “I’m so excited to have my design chosen out of such a strong range of entries. It’s been fascinating going through the process and bringing my ideas to life on such a huge scale!
“I’m so pleased to see my work hanging in The Beacon for the enjoyment of local communities and the wider public.”
Rosemary herself is currently in her third of four years studying a part-time Foundation Degree in Textiles Practice at Bradford School of Art.
Her journey into textiles is an inspiring one as after 32 years working in the legal sector, she opted to follow a long-held passion. Having enjoyed dressmaking and needlework as a hobby, Rosemary took the leap to formal study and has expanded her skills in both design and craftsmanship. This latest project offered a unique opportunity to translate her creativity into a large-scale installation for a major cultural project.
Supported by Bradford College lecturer, Hannah Robson (pictured left), Rosemary was able to work closely with industry specialists to bring a special vision to life. As a weaver and textile artist herself, Hannah guided students through the process and ensured designs weren’t only visually striking, but also feasible for the scale of production.
Working alongside the team at JC & Joel, this incredible student’s vision has been transformed into an integral part of ‘The Beacon’. Her curtain is a reflection of Bradford’s rich textile heritage and creative future, paying homage to the past while embracing new artistic possibilities.
Find out more about Bradford School of Art’s FdA Textiles Practice and apply now for September 2025. You can also find out more about ‘The Beacon’ and Bradford 2025 generally here.
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