It’s our 50th anniversary year and we’re celebrating everything that makes EGA great.  One of the things we’re most proud of is our extensive permanent collection which covers a vast array of time periods, styles, techniques, and cultures.  In honor of the collection, EGA has created scarves inspired by three stunning pieces. 

The first scarf was adapted from a wall hanging made by the late Joy Clucas in 1972.  Below, EGA business manager Paula Kirk uses it to add a dash of color to her spring wardrobe.

The cost for these scarves will be $35 each plus shipping and handling.  This one measures approximately 46″ x 20″ and has a satin feel.  We are accepting pre-orders on them at headquarters now, they’ll be in stock in a couple of weeks.  A limited number will be available, so act fast if you want one!  Check back here for the other two designs soon.

After months of waiting, the third and final Louisville episode of Antiques Roadshow airs tonight.  Host Mark L. Walberg and the crew visited headquarters last July to film a segment on EGA’s historic samplers.  Check your local PBS station for air times.  You may just be inspired to recreate a piece of history for yourself.

 Those of you in Kentucky or neighboring areas may have seen the profile on EGA headquarters aired on Louisville Life last week. Click here to get to the website where you can watch the episode online!  Executive Director Anita Streeter talks about the Youth and Fiber Forum exhibits and the National Tapestry, as well as EGA history and membership. 

I have two very exciting things to tell you all about!

First, click here for a clip from Q13 News in Seattle featuring members of the Evergreen Chapter and the kissing pillows they have stitched for military families.  Some of you may remember the article about this project in the June 2007 issue of Needle Arts. 

Yellow Rose Chapter started this project in 2005 and to date, hundreds of members across the country have participated.  If you or your chapter would like to become involved, you can email yellowroseega.outreach@gmail.com or visit the Greater Pacific Region website for more information.

Have you reserved your space at this year’s International Embroidery Conference?  It will be held just before the Golden Gala and would make a perfect complement to your seminar experience.

For a full list of programs and registration information click here.  If you’re thinking about attending, act soon - your next opportunity to attend an IEC won’t be until 2011. 

For those of you who won’t be able to make it to the EMRC before the end of May or for those who need further enticement to visit, here are some photographs (courtesy of Scott Dam) of one the exhibits currently on display in the galleries. 

Fiber Forum has over 35 pieces on display in the Margaret Parshall Gallery.  The piece above is titled Poison Ivy - Untouchable Beauty and was created by Marie Miller.

 Left:  Weaving New Webs - Piercing Old Patches  by Ayelet Lindenstrauss Larsen  Right:  Agate by Phillippa Lack

These pieces are so engaging because of the rich environments the artists have created in very small areas.  The dimensionality and variety of forms invite the viewer into tiny new terrains.

16 Degrees of Danger by Bette Levy.  Though executed entirely in straight stitches, Bette’s pieces feel incredibly rich and complex.

This is The Last Fall by Carol Lynn Stratton.  It features embroidery and beads on hand-dyed fabric.

The Fiber Forum exhibit and Fresh Perspectives will both be on display until May 31.  Fore more information on Fiber Forum click here. 

Above is a photo from the opening reception for the EGA’s annual youth exhibit, Fresh Perspectives.  We could tell this piece, titled Personality Crisis, was hers as soon as she walked in the door.  Notice the similarities?

Several of this year’s entrants came in this past Wednesday (after being snowed out earlier this month) to meet and talk with other students, EMRC staff, and invited quests.  Visitors have been very impressed with the creativity and talent of these young people. 

The piece on the left was created by Katy McRoberts, a senior at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville, Kentucky.  It is a three-dimensional piece called Byrd made of cheesecloth and a vintage handkerchief embroidered by the artist then stretched on wooden frames and layered.  On the right is a messenger bag made by Eastern High School (Louisville, KY) student, DJ Corney.  DJ waxed plastic grocery bags and stitched them together to create this fully-functioning bag complete with an inside pocket.

Impermanent Childhood and Awkward Maturity, also by Katy McRoberts.  The dress on the left is made of human hair and features a row of human teeth at the neckline.  The dress on the right is made of vintage jewelry, personal mementos, and beads.

Hot Little Number by Lily Faget.  Lily, a senior at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville, was just accepted into the School of Visual Arts in New York.  This dress is made entirely of matches, sewn together by machine.

 These are just a few of the highlights from the show.  We owe a special “thank you” to Scott Dam, who photographed all the pieces seen here with the exception of Personality Crisis, which was shot by Laura Olah.  More pictures will be available on the galleries page soon.  Fresh Perspectives will be up until May 31.

We also have a Fiber Forum exhibit currently on display, we’ll be posting on that soon!

Welcome to the EGA Blog!

Some of you may be familiar with blogs but for those who aren’t, here is an introduction:

The word “blog” is short for web log, which is like a diary or bulletin board viewed on a website.  Individuals, businesses, institutions, and organizations use blogs to share news and information with visitors to their websites.  In addition to text; illustrations, photographs, and video can be shared.  Entries are displayed in reverse chronological order (newest at the top) and are labeled with one or more categories so that a viewer may easily find all the entries on a particular subject.  Readers may leave their comments or questions after each entry.

We’ll be posting breaking news here as well as information on exhibits, classes, and events so check back often!