Saturday, September 01, 2018

Hidden beauty in everyday necessities is the inspiration behind the exhibit, In Praise of the Needlewoman, September 5 to October 2 at the Fond du Lac Public Library’s Langdon Divers Gallery. The public is invited to a reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 13, in the gallery. Refreshments will be served. The reception is free; no registration required.

Vintage everyday items – embroidery, tatting, crochet and lace – from the collection of Barbara Lukas, of Fond du Lac, will comprise the bulk of the exhibit.

“I’m interested in textiles in general and in the historic, though underappreciated, domestic needle arts of women,” Lukas said. “I think a lot about those ordinary, unknown women who, while making necessities for their homes and families, took the time to make them beautiful.”

The title of the exhibit was inspired by the book, In Praise of the Needlewoman: Embroiderers, Knitters, Lacemakers and Weavers in Art, by Gail Carolyn Sirna. Lukas said the book gave her the idea of exhibiting her collection, which will be complemented by works by fiber artists and examples of the tools used by needlewomen of old.

The library’s Langdon Divers Gallery is open during library operating hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Additional information is available at facebook.com/langdondivers. Inquiries should be directed to volunteer curator Mel Kolstad at mel@kolstad.net.

In the photo: This needle lace piece was handmade by Rebekah Balian in the 1930s after she emigrated to the United States from Armenia.