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The
Lacis
Museum Newsletter
Marc
Dear
Friends of LMLT,
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This Week |
The first five years has secured LMLT recognition as a Museum and as a
valuable and recognized addition to the Bay Area Community.
At the March 2nd Board Meeting a new Board was voted in and, with the
start of the 6th year of LMLT, it appears that a new wave of energy and
enthusiasm will further extend the roots of this institution. In an
April Newsletter, the Board Members will relate a bit about themselves
and, offer context as to their support of LMLT.
For now, I introduce them with my observations,
Ellen THOMSEN. A long time friend of Kaethe and Lacis, Ellen has been
an active Board Member since its very beginning. With a soul buried in
the 19th c. she operates a steam railroad, builds steam engines and
collects and restores wax mannequins from the past. This is the same
Ellen Thomsen, that as a costume designer, has produced a full line of
period doll fashion patterns under the “Making Memories” heading.
Storrie JOHNSON. Devoted to the food industry and her dad (me), she has
become, far more absorbed in Museum functions than time should allow.
Serving on several boards, including that of the UC Athletic Board ,
she continues to offer experience and refreshments at our openings
and serves as Secretary to the Board.
Lisa NEIDINGER. This is her second term as a Board Member. Retired from
the Air Force and with a strong devotion to lace knitting and lace
knitters, she finds commuting from her Arizona home to the Bay Area,
just part of a routine that brings her close to the things she loves.
Patrice KREMS. A long time friend of Kaethe and now obviously
caught in the web of textiles by her admission of her personal stashes
of lace, and books, and costume, she thrives on knowledge and learning
and now teaching and understands well the spirit that makes the Museum
endure.
Inez BROOKS-MYERS. As the forever Costume Curator at the renowned
Oakland Museum, Inez has been a long time friend of Kaethe and myself
as we shared common interests in the recognition of the valuable assets
within the Bay Area textile scene.
Karen TIERNEY. A new Board Member, Karen was, at one time, an employee
of Lacis, helping create the aura of Kaethe’s world, As a teacher and
branding designer she has continued to find time to volunteer as a
Friend of LMLT.
Lisa SWEHLA. A long time friend of Lacis and brief employee at times of
desperation, Lisa has a strong commitment to the Costume arena,
currently serving on the Board of the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild,
an active group involved in reenactments, outreach programs and
community.
Carol WOOD. Carol, who speaks in three dimensions, has been part of
Lacis for many years through employment, teaching, volunteering and now
as an energizing force mobilizing her talents in design, costuming and
theater to share her dreams with LMLT.
Jules KLIOT. I remain as founder and Director, dedicated to the forever
memory of Kaethe who created a special world where the human spirit
could have no bounds.
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Events
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NIGHT
AND DAY - THE WORLD OF THE TWENTIES
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By the Twenties the Twentieth Century finally took hold. This was the
beginning of a new age...an age no longer encumbered by
centuries of history. It was the best-of-times, the war to end wars was
in the past, movies opened our visions to an unknown world and we were
ready for an era filled with fun, opulence, hope and freedom This
freedom expressed itself in the garments and accessories that adorned
us, the hair that could now be released from sacred hair buns and
braids, and the decorative embellishments that would parallel the other
art movements in a new freedom of expression. Beads and ribbons flowed
onto our garments shouting to be heard. Endurance was certainly not the
goal as evidenced by etherial silks, the beads on the dance hall floor,
and the stilled fragments remaining today as memories.
This exhibit will explore the spirit of this period through these
garments, some touched by the ribbon embroidered flowers and beadwork
from Paris, others from the day dress pages of the Sears and Roebuck
catalog,
Witness the memories as you step through the looking glass of near 100
years ago
Incorporated into the exhibit are Ellen Thompson’s contemporary
wax-headed articulated dolls which she again generously lent to LMLT
for this exhibit. These lovingly restored pieces impart an air of
life-like movement along with a bit of glamour from the age
itself.
The Exhibit Opening will be on Thursday April 1st from 5:00 to 8:00
PM.. All are invited for refreshments, to see the magic of Erin’s hands
in bringing these memories to life, and to meet the new Board
of Directors.
{picture M\Exhibits\Night & Day\Image\DSCN6362.JPG]
A flavor, still remembered, comes from one of our friends, Gladys
Follender of Rockville Md, who recalls, through her
daughter-in-law, how her older sisters dressed. The cloche
hats, which are back in style today, high heeled shoes, with pointy
toes and buttons, long necklaces and beads and lots of finger jewelry.
Sashes worn at the hip, drawstring crochet purses with metallic designs
and beads...they used powder, but wearing lipstick was very
daring...and long, woolen bathing suits!
...and she remembers how the girls loved to dance.
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Classes |
March 26
MILLINERY TRIMS CLASS with Jacqueline Palacios. A Friday evening class
where you will learn how to make the decorative elements to embellish
and personalize your felt bonnet or hat.. Class fee is $40.00
April 3
THE ONE HOUR DRESS FROM THE 1920s: DRESSMAKING WITHOUT PAPER PATTERNS.
with Carol Wood. On the occasion of our 20s Exhibit , Carol will offer
the flavor of the new home sewer, in a full day class where you will
create this basic dress for the next Art Deco Ball or simply as a
Summer day frock. Class fee is $75.00
July 14
CLONES IRISH CROCHET with Maire Treanor, direct from Ireland. This will
be a 4 day workshop plus an evening lecture where the spirit and
techniques of this magical lace, which saved a Nation, will be brought
to life. The workshop will focus on technique, the secrets of hand and
thread manipulation not found in on the written page. Projects will
cover the popular floral motifs and the unique ground of Clones lace as
well as the development of patterns. An evening lecture by Maire
covering her own collection and studies will compliment the occasion. A
rare event. LMLT is honored to have her presence. Workshop fee is
$250.00
A reprint of her popular and now out-of-print book “Clones
Lace” is now in production, with some new material, and should be
available in time for the workshop.
I thank all those who submitted their early registration, which has now
guaranteed the success of this event. Registration remains open with
date of receipt used to establish enrollment priority. Those signing up
for all 4 days will be given preference over partial workshop enrollees.
Details on all classes are available on our web site at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.
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Lace
Groups at LMLT |
Participation is free and if attending, do bring some of your
accomplishments, complete or incomplete, and find a community of
friends.
BOBBIN LACE
GROUP
This steadily growing group meets on the third Saturday of each month
from 1 - 3. Hosted by Maria Jose Munoz and Beth Lysten, all are welcome
to learn, share and encourage. If curiosity persists, we
would encourage participation in the more formal bobbin lace classes
offered by LMLT. The group will meet Saturday,
March 20th from 1 - 3.
KNITTING GROUP
Welcoming knitters of all persuasions to gather, learn, share and
explore all the facets of this 1-thread-2-needle textile technique,
this group will meet at the Museum on the second Saturday of each month
from 1:00-3:00 PM. All are invited, to knit or just meet
Amy. Amy, a creative knitter and natural
instructor, can make any garment fit and find a way to restore the
intended glory of discards. She helped put an all men’s knitting club
in the spotlight in lower Manhattan while instructing children, adults,
seniors and celebrities how to tame yarn with a pair of pointed sticks.
The group will next meet on March 13.
Details
on all groups are available on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.
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New in the Shop |
 THREADWORK,
Effie Mitrofanis [TD91]. An unstructured approach combining playfulness
and creativity working with silk, stitches, beads & cords.
Three three new titles from the Nihon Vogue library are a must for
anyone who wants to comprehend the rich language of needlework graphic
symbols. Although text is in Japanese, understanding of the
language should not be a hindrance to comprehension.
 BASICS
OF TUNISIAN CROCHET FOR BEGINNERS, Nihon Vogue [JK82]. A treat for
unraveling the potential of this cross between knitting and crochet
with clear drawings related to the graphic symbols in exploring a rich
vocabulary of textures and methods of shaping and joining.
 CLEAR
& SIMPLE CROCHET SYMBOLS, Nihon Vogue [JK80]. The key to
understanding the graphical language of crochet patterns through the
universal symbols and ultra-clear graphics.
 BASIC
HAND KNITTING & CROCHET, Nihon Vogue [JK81].The graphic
language of Japanese patterns by relating the symbols to clear drawings.
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Closing
Thoughts |
Approaching the celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day, Passover, Easter,
the return of Daylight Saving Time, and the first day of
Spring we cannot help but sense a rebirth...a revitalization of spirit
and unity in out purpose...to remember the past and to learn from the
past.
It is in this vein that we celebrate the opening of our new
Exhibit, NIGHT AND DAY; THE WORLD OF THE TWENTIES a time of a simpler
world. Join us for our opening on April 1st.
Jules
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Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles
2982
Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
http://lacismuseum.org/
at
Ashby & Adeline
St.,
adjacent to the "Ashby" BART Station
Hours: Monday thru Saturday 12:00 - 6:00 pm
tel: 510-843-7290 |
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