Handmade Meaning Community Embroidery Project

Last spring, I participated in a Material Cultures class that focused on Victorian Handi-crafts and contemporary artists that are influenced by these crafts. As a class, we examined parallel themes between the two eras, developed a curatorial statement, and chose Victorian and contemporary works to be in an exhibition titled Handmade Meaning. One theme that has become a focus of the exhibit is the community impulse with craft processes. In conjunction with the exhibit, I have organized a community embroidery project. As part of the project, I have developed kits for community members to embroider quilt squares.

The exhibition opens Friday, December 17th at the James Watrous Gallery. You can read more about the project & the exhibit at the exhibition blog. I encourage anyone, no matter your stitching experience, to participate by picking up a kit at the gallery. You can also download the instructions and designs from the blog (designs are available now, but instructions will not be posted until closer to the exhibition opening.)

Here are a few sample squares I have stitched: