Uncovering the SDC archive
In recognition of the society turning 140 years old in 2024, SDC will be bringing its entire archive collection together under one roof for the first time in 25 years.
Our wonderful education and engagement officer, Shelley Hollingdrake, will be taking on the new role as historical collections officer, whereby she will be responsible for curating the archive and making it accessible to the public once more.
Shelley originally joined the SDC eight years ago as part of the colour experience team and has since gone on to work as our engagement officer, helping to organise our webinars and international design competitions.
Commenting on her new post, Shelley said: “I really am thrilled to be taking on this new role to help bring the SDC archive back to life. I received an MA in curating at university and went on to work for Falmouth Art Gallery, Kingston University, Leeds Met Gallery, and the National Trust before joining the SDC.”
“The mission is to safeguard the collection for the public and provide access to a vital aspect of textile heritage, continuing the legacy of those who started the archive in 1947. The breadth of design, scientific importance, and historical significance of the collection is of the utmost importance here. I look forward to making the archive a real success.”
The new Collections Management System (CMS) will allow the collection to be properly archived and made public via the society’s online presence.
More details on when the collections will be accessible for public viewing will be available soon.
SDC welcomes a new face
The SDC team would like to give a very warm welcome to our new education engagement officer, Joe Heavey!
Joe, who is a third-year student currently studying sociology and social policy (BA) at the University of Leeds, recently spent 14 months at Unilever, delivering a wide range of global internal communications activities and supporting with external sustainability partnerships and advocacy.
Joe will be joining the team on a part-time basis, three days a week to assist with Shelley’s duties now that she has taken on the new role as our in-house archivist.
“My life goal is to make a positive impact through the work I do and contribute to a more optimistic future for all. I’m excited to be joining the SDC to help continue Shelley’s incredible work in helping the organisation educate people about colour and engage with a range of stakeholders.” — Joe Heavey