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The
Lacis
Museum Newsletter
December 3rd, 2009
Dear
Friends of LMLT,
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This Week |
The enthusiasm of the visitors at our exhibit does tell us we are doing
something right in conveying the majesty of lace and the passions of
the lace makers. Those who have taken the trip with me have expressed
how important this is as they leave with not just an indelible
impression of lace and but an understanding of the immensity of the
human soul.
It was Kaethe, who so many of our visitors had contact with, that
instinctively conveyed this passion to visitors to Lacis and in whose
memory LMLT is devoted
Now entering our fifth year we are looking to expand our Board. We are
looking for 2-3 new Board Members and by this memo, soliciting
applicants who would like to join us in our pursuits, and involve
themselves in supporting our goals:
With reference to our statement of purpose:
• to provide
a place of support,
knowledge and encouragement for all involved in any aspect of the
textile arts
• to preserve and
maintain the extensive
lace and textile collection, library and related textile tools
• to educate and
disseminate knowledge of
lace and textiles
The commitment would be to:
•
physically attend a once-a-year Annual Meeting held in January.
• offer
ideas and support the implementation of ideas
You would also be welcomed in the participation of any
involvement in museum activities
such as Exhibits, cataloging of the collection and research
We would consider professional and organizational skills as
well
an interest in any sector of the textile arts.
If you would like to support and join us in this venture please submit
a resume of your skills and interests and include any thoughts as
to why you would like to be part of LMLT..
Submittals should be received no later that December 7, 2009
And we are getting responses to our invitation for Board of Director
consideration. We have been advised of problems getting acknowledgment
of a submittal. If you Email or fax a submittal and no not
receive acknowledgement within 24 hours, please call me at
510-843-7178, to confirm receipt.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at
6:30 at the Museum offices. Applicants of consideration will be invited
to this meeting.
LOOKING
FORWARD
We will also be considering, in the coming year, applicants for a
position as an Administrator, with museum
experience, to
carry out programs as directed by the Board, which would include
programing of events such as classes and retreats, within the museum
facilities, promoting the Museum to a diverse public, improving access
to our world-class collection, supporting and facilitating research
programs, organizing a meaningful intern program and
developing
relations with the donor community.
SPACE TO SERVE THE
TEXTILE COMMUNITY
LMLT facilities include an improved, well lit space of up to
6,000 sf with kitchen facilities, which is available for use
by
groups with textile related interests for meetings and special events,
for a nominal fee. The space is on the second floor, directly
above the Museum accessible by a wide stair directly from the street..
Inquiries should be made to Jules 510-843-7178.
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Events
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This past week, Thanksgiving, a holiday dedicated to family and
friends, brought many out-of-town visitors to LMLT, some come back
year-after-year, bringing their guests and showing off the wonder which
they take pride in sharing. With the start of the Dickens Fair, the
moment for dress-up is on hand. Customers who attended the opening days
are now returning to LMLT to make costumes so they can return to the
Fair in style. The season also awakens thoughts of companionship and
marriage as the bridal section of the Museum attracts the bride looking
for a connection to a rich past.
Apart from the main gallery, don’t miss the mini exhibits
throughout the museum which includes over one hundred images
of 500 years of
lacemakers by painters and photographers, a rare collection of original
parchment prickings, lace fans and the works of 20th c. lacemakers.
For a personal perspective of bobbin lace and the hands that create the
music of the bobbins, come with me on the daily tour I give each day
between 2:30 and 3:00. Offering a long 5 minute minimum tour, it has
gripped most visitors who take this trip through the looking glass and
find that, for this moment, time stops.
The talk focuses on the lacemakers, the artists, the great masters and
the photographers who not only recognize these weavers of webs but find
this aspect of society worthy of recording. So a Friend of
LMLT,
reminds us of the greatest of playwrights who also recognizes this part
of creation:
Did
you know that Shakespeare refers to bobbin lace makers in Twelfth
Night, Act II, Scene IV. He calls them maids who weave with bones (see
the quote below). Just thought you might want to know given your
current beautiful exhibit.
Warmly,
Barbara Shapiro
[Re-enter CURIO and Clown]
DUKE ORSINO: O, fellow, come, the song we had last night.
Mark it, Cesario, it is old
and plain;
The spinsters and the
knitters in the sun
And the free maids that
weave their thread with bones
Do use to chant it: it is
silly sooth,
And dallies with the
innocence of love,
Like the old age.
Clown: Are you ready, sir?
DUKE ORSINO: Ay; prithee, sing.
[Music]
SONG.
Clown: Come away, come away, death,
And in sad cypress let me be
laid;
Fly away, fly away breath;
I am slain by a fair cruel
maid.
My shroud of white, stuck
all with yew,
O, prepare it!
My part of death, no one so
true
Did share it.
Not a flower, not a flower
sweet
On my black coffin let there
be strown;
Not a friend, not a friend
greet
My poor corpse, where my
bones shall be thrown:
A thousand thousand sighs to
save,
Lay me, O, where
Sad true lover never find my
grave,
To weep there!
Thank you Barbara...
COMING
SOON
Suddenly we are immersed in our next major exhibit “NIGHT AND
DAY
- THE WORLD OF THE TWENTIES” as Erin, again, works
her
magic transforming elements of the collection from buried memories to a
new birth in an era filled with fun, opulence, hope and freedom.
Fragments of bead work from the dance hall floor to the extraordinary
bead work of an era that had little restraint, to the detailed
exquisite ribbon embroidered flowers from Paris, to the Sears and
Roebuck day dress..all to take you through the looking glass of near a
hundred years ago that seams like yesterday as the 20th century finally
takes hold. Opening April 3, 2010....mark your calendar.
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Classes |
With the Holiday Season, we conclude the year’s class
schedule
and look forward to ongoing classes in 2010. Classes currently under
consideration include the return of Ayala who enthusiastically shares
her skills in felting, She is now planning for a February class on Felt
Folk by the hollow skin method,. Maire Treanor who would love
to host a workshop
in Irish Crochet, Jackie Palacios who is working on new
continuing programs in Millinery which will start with a program on
cocktail hats. Beth Lysten is working on a project oriented
class
in bobbin lace where students will make a small gift box, and
Maria Munoz who will be extending her classes in bobbin lace.
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Lace
Groups at LMLT |
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 by
Maria. The group will next meet on Saturday,
December 19.
from 1 - 3.
Details on all groups are available on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.
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New in the Shop |
Period HAT PATTERNS by LYNN McMASTERS: For those with focus on the
traditional, these beautifully prepared patterns, most of which
are accompanied
by contemporary fashion plates and suggestions as to modification and
embellishment. The include: 1840-1850’s Bonnet in straw and
fabric; 1600s to early 1800s Tall Hat, a Civil War Period Summer Hat; a
Wellington Top Hat or Mad Hatter Hat; an Early Victorian Bonnet; a
Romantic (1830s) Period Bonnet; the versatile Arch Brimmed, Straight
Sided Crown; a Late Victorian Small Bonnet; and many more.
HORSE HAIR (HP27 and HP28): From China, we now can offer 25 gr. bundles
of cleaned straight horse hair in 25” lengths in black, white
and
brown. The great Alencon French needle lace incorporated horsehair as
the core of the gimp, to give this slightest bit of stiffness.
Horsehair can be used in kumihimo and other braiding techniques, lace
making, hairwork and of course violin bows.
FESTIVE SNOWFLAKES & ORNAMENTS {HH37}, ed by Barb
Foster. In
time for the holidays, designs for beginner as well as advanced tatter
for tree decorations either suspended flat or pinned to colorful
wrapped styrofoam balls to add joy to any home.
ART NOUVEAU SCISSORS (TM52). A 4.2” sharp pointed elegant
embroidery scissors a delight for any lace maker or needle worker.
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| Closing
Thoughts |
Thanksgiving, this year, has been different, offering an opening into
enlightenment conjured up by the millions of souls that have defied
being herded to an unknown precipice. They have dared to question and
to challenge and to return to a world long forgotten...a world governed
by common sense.
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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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