Whether fine embroidery can be considered as works of art is a subject that has been hotly debated for centuries. Over time, the definition of the word art has changed. In the 17th century, the word often meant a skill acquired as a result of knowledge and practice. In the 18th century, a distinction began to be made between fine and applied art, which is often termed design. Design reformers of the 19th century worked to bring the two sides back together and to raise the reputation of artisans and craftspeople, but the distinction between art and craft remains controversial today. Underlying this debate is the question of women’s roles as artists and their choice of embroidery as an artistic medium.
Join us for this series of provocative lectures and innovative workshops that explore the connection between art and embroidery over four centuries. This two-day conference builds on themes from the exhibition Embroidery: The Language of Art, on view in the Galleries at
Winterthur May 7, 2016–January 8, 2017.

Registration opens April 5, 2016
For information and registration, please call 800.448.3883 or visit winterthur.org/embroidery.