Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
If crafts attest to periods of history, events, and to the legacy settlers diffuse over their new homeland, few depict the richness and cultural diversity evidenced in Saskatchewan’s history as needle art.
This could well be the frame of mind with which to approach the Saskatchewan Embroiderers’ Guild Provincial Show at the at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre in Prince Albert, according to Prince Albert Chapter President Judy Bachinski.
“Our members are in Shellbrook, Christopher Lake, Birch Hills and at other locations in this part of the province. All of us have had embroidered pieces passed on by parents, uncles and aunts. We asked that our members and others across the province bring forward some of these pieces in order to show the sheer beauty of these works of art to the public.
“Keep in mind that that these types of works emerge from a number of media. There are the cross-stitch, crochet and hardinger pieces—a tradition originally from Norway—just to name a few. There are cut works and a variety of embroidery styles. They are all art forms, but they also have a utilitarian purpose when the finished product is a table cloth or a shawl.”
The local art galley curator picked through the submissions to find the most significant, says Bachynski.
“The oldest pieces on display in the exhibit date back to the early 1920s. There is this fabulous Ukrainian piece depicting a teacher training pupils how to play the mandolin. On another work, a pair of Scottish dancers is shown.”
All the works attest to pride for one’s ethnic heritage and traditions.
“These women, during the early years of Saskatchewan, did such fine work. They often lived on farms, in isolation—arguably, they spent a lot more time in the house than people do today. After a day’s work, looking after the household, this is how they would relax and provide an outlet for their creativity.”
Above all, these women engaged in needle art because they enjoyed it. That is likely one of the aspects of the craft that hasn’t changed, Bachynski believes.
“You will find it hard to meet a guild member who is unwilling to act as a mentor to new members. Within our Sharp Needles Chapter we have experts in all fields of the craft. You can always turn to someone for help. It is truly like a sisterhood. Our pride in our art is as strong as the fabric from which Saskatchewan is crafted.”
The Saskatchewan Embroiderers’ Guild Provincial Show is featured at the Fringe gallery until September 23.
For more information, contact:
Judy Bachynski
Prince Albert Sharp Needles
(306) 764-0966
If crafts attest to periods of history, events, and to the legacy settlers diffuse over their new homeland, few depict the richness and cultural diversity evidenced in Saskatchewan’s history as needle art.
This could well be the frame of mind with which to approach the Saskatchewan Embroiderers’ Guild Provincial Show at the at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre in Prince Albert, according to Prince Albert Chapter President Judy Bachinski.
“Our members are in Shellbrook, Christopher Lake, Birch Hills and at other locations in this part of the province. All of us have had embroidered pieces passed on by parents, uncles and aunts. We asked that our members and others across the province bring forward some of these pieces in order to show the sheer beauty of these works of art to the public.
“Keep in mind that that these types of works emerge from a number of media. There are the cross-stitch, crochet and hardinger pieces—a tradition originally from Norway—just to name a few. There are cut works and a variety of embroidery styles. They are all art forms, but they also have a utilitarian purpose when the finished product is a table cloth or a shawl.”
The local art galley curator picked through the submissions to find the most significant, says Bachynski.
“The oldest pieces on display in the exhibit date back to the early 1920s. There is this fabulous Ukrainian piece depicting a teacher training pupils how to play the mandolin. On another work, a pair of Scottish dancers is shown.”
All the works attest to pride for one’s ethnic heritage and traditions.
“These women, during the early years of Saskatchewan, did such fine work. They often lived on farms, in isolation—arguably, they spent a lot more time in the house than people do today. After a day’s work, looking after the household, this is how they would relax and provide an outlet for their creativity.”
Above all, these women engaged in needle art because they enjoyed it. That is likely one of the aspects of the craft that hasn’t changed, Bachynski believes.
“You will find it hard to meet a guild member who is unwilling to act as a mentor to new members. Within our Sharp Needles Chapter we have experts in all fields of the craft. You can always turn to someone for help. It is truly like a sisterhood. Our pride in our art is as strong as the fabric from which Saskatchewan is crafted.”
The Saskatchewan Embroiderers’ Guild Provincial Show is featured at the Fringe gallery until September 23.
For more information, contact:
Judy Bachynski
Prince Albert Sharp Needles
(306) 764-0966
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