art of the STITCH

International Open Exhibition 2008/9

work by Pippa Andrews
Spikes & Spots
Pippa Andrews, UK
photo credit: the artist
work by Rosie James
Tourists Contemplating
the British Museum
Rosie James, England
photo credit: the artist
work by Mariana Fantich
Needle & Thread
Mariana Fantich, UK
photo credit: the artist
work by Tilleke Schwarz
Play With Me
Tilleke Schwarz (Netherlands)
photo credit: Rob Mostert

Urgent News
The Fundacion Valentin de Madariaga-MP, Seville, Spain has informed the Embroiderers' Guild that due to overunning refurbishment of the building, art of the STITCH cannot be shown there 25 April - 20 June, 2009.

We have been researching an alternative venue to the Fundacion MP in which to exhibit art of the Stitch in Spain.

Unfortunately this is not an option and art of the Stitch will not now be shown in Spain. An update will be posted shortly, in the interim contact at the Embroiderers' Guild for more information. We apologise for this situation.

Our acclaimed international open exhibition representing the role of stitch in contemporary artistic practice, presented by the Guild in association with Coats Crafts. An unprecedented total of 944 entries by 608 artists from 37 different countries were received for art of the STITCH 2008/9, highlighting the continued and ever increasing popularity of stitch around the world. From these 56 works were selected by an international panel.

art of the STITCH 2008/9 shows work by 54 artists from thirteen different countries including Lithuania, Cyprus, Canada and Japan.

A fully illustrated colour catalogue accompanies the exhibition at £6.00 (10 Euros) and is available through the Embroiderers' Guild and at exhibiting venues. An education programme, Stitch and Discover Your Creativity, will be available at some venues. Please contact the venues for further information on opening times, entry fees and to book for Stitch and Discover Your Creativity.

Congratulations to the following artists exhibiting in art of the STITCH who have won Anchor Awards presented by exhibition partner Coats Crafts Europe:

1st Prize: Inga Liksaite (Lithuania) for White & Blue Lines image :: detail	2nd Prize: Jane McKeating (UK) for How to Sleep in Half a Bed image :: detail
3rd Prize: Scott Ellegood (USA) for Subterranean image :: detail

For further information please contact Emily Childs on 020 8943 1229 ext 26,

art of the STITCH 2008/9 international tour:

15 March to 15 June 2008 - The Waterhall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH, UK
T: 0121 303 2834, W: www.bmag.org.uk
28 Sept to 28 Dec 2008 - The Deutsches Textilmuseum, Andreasmarkt 8, D - 47809 Krefeld, Germany
T: 0049 2151 9469450, W: www.krefeld.de/textilmuseum
Admissions 3,30 Euros, concessions 2,50 Euros (includes Members of the Embroiderers' Guild on production of a Membership card
31 Jan to 21 March 2009 - Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, Hungary
W: www.imm.hu

Selectors:

Erzebet Pilinger, Museum of Applied Arts
Chris Berry, Chairman, Embroiderers' Guild
Carmen Calleja de Pablo, Fundación Valentín de Madariaga-MP
Zelina Garland, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
Alice Kettle, Textile Artist
Stephen Sheard, Coats Crafts
Lynn Szygenda, Embroiderers' Guild
Dr Brigitte Tietzel, Deutsches Textilmuseum