Hello Everyone!
I'm very excited to tell you about a really neat demo I saw in Santa Fe, New
Mexico today.
Several of our guild members heard that there would be a demonstration of
needlework by Russian artists at the Museum of International Folk Arts this
weekend. The web site for it is: http://www.moifa.org/ The past year was
devoted to the art of the Czar Nicolas and Alexandra and other Russian cultural
exhibits and performances. Very neat! The guild members journeyed to Santa Fe
last year to see the Nicolas and Alexandra exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts.
The security was very watchfull as we had our magnifiers out to view lace.
We were excited to hear about the demos and fully expected to see an
Albuquerque embroiderer demonstrating Russian cross stitch. Boy, were we
surprised! Admission was free today, as it is on Sundays for residents, so
that was great. The demonstrations were held in the atrium where there is
wonderful light and wall space. As we walked into the room, we were
immediately enchanted by a wall full of lace, silk scarves, cross stitch, drawn
thread work, finger weaving, and dolls. Olga (I apologize for not remembering
her last name at the moment) of Vologda was demonstrating lacemaking for
visitors. She belongs to OIDFA, and many of you may know her. She had many of
her lace designs on display, and even some Finish designs she has worked. She
was working very quickly on a cookie pillow (that was what was provided to her,
she normally uses the large bolster) and wowed the crowd. Her English was
lovely, though she only spoke when there were a few of us around. Otherwise, vi
sitors
communicated with her via a translator from the University.
She brought many photos of her beautiful designs. I found the clothing the
most intriguing. It was very elegant and timeless in design. Some of the
pieces appear to be for sale on the Vologda lace web site.
http://www.snejinka.riapro.ru/?fLang=EN I may have missed this in the past,
but it is an easy site with some history of their lace and to see the beautiful
work is being made in Russia.
Olga was very kind and patient with us as we made a big deal about her and
her speedy lacemaking. My only regret was that we didn't know she was coming
ahead of time. The guild would have loved to have her teach!
Other demonstrations were the silk scarf designer--tres chic!--, finger
weaving (very addicting!), doll making from natural grasses and other fibers,
and at one point, there really was a cross stitcher. The curator was thrilled
to see that it was perhaps the best attended event in quite some time. It was
a wonderful, unexpected trip for the afternoon. Wish we could all travel
vicariously to another place as easily today. Thought you'd all enjoy this.
Laura Sandison
Lace! in New Mexico, USA
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