Speakers Series: Stumpwork Then & Now: Celeste Chalasani
This event is free for EAC/ACB members. Members, sign in to My EAC/Mon ACB to register for this presentation. 4:30 pm Newfoundland Standard Time 4 pm Atlantic Standard Time 3 pm Eastern Standard Time 2 pm Central Standard Time 1 pm Mountain Standard Time noon Pacific Standard Time Celeste Chalasani will compare stumpwork as it was practiced in the 17th century to how it has evolved. We’ll see photos of museum pieces to show the different characteristics of the historical stumpwork practice, how the art evolved, and compare it to the work of contemporary artists, including Celeste’s own. Teaching Stumpwork is a labour of love for me. I am passionate about sharing what I know. I approach teaching from the understanding that different people learn in different ways. I strive to provide clear written instructions with step-by-step colour photos, orally explain the technique with colour-coded visual aids, demonstrate stitches and techniques, and work one-on-one with each student as they practice their techniques. Celeste Chalasani Celeste first learned embroidery, sewing and crochet as a young child from her grandmother. Her passion for stumpwork was sparked when she joined EGA in 1999. A lifelong learner, she completed the City & Guilds Level 1 and 2 Certificate in Design and Craft Stumpwork distance courses under the tutelage of Chris Hammacott. She has also taken classes through EGA with Chris Berry, Judy Jeroy, Jane Nicholas, and Marsha Papay-Gomola. Celeste Chalasani is a graduate of the National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) Teachers’ Certification Program specializing in stumpwork. Her piece “Tidal Treasures” was accessioned into the NAN Permanent Collection at the Gregg School of Art & Design at North Carolina State University. Celeste was the featured Designer Across America in the March 2015 issue of Needle Arts and her project “Christmas Rose” was in the December 2016 issue of Needle Arts. Celeste’s article on the history of stumpwork and supplemental project, “The Dragon,” was published in Piecework Magazine’s March/April 2013 issue. Celeste has taught extensively for the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) at chapter workshops, regional and national seminars, and for the National Academy of Needlearts. She currently teaches an online class for Craftsy and an Individual Correspondence Course on Stumpwork for EGA. Celeste designed and donated her “Poppy Remembrance Pin” in 2019 to EGA’s National Outreach Project supporting America’s wounded service members. You can find Celeste online at her website.
Michele Would Choose Casalguidi
My name is Michele Young and I live in southern Ontario. I was delighted to be a winner of a copy of this high-quality needlework magazine, Giuliana Ricama. The contributors’ works are displayed in such a way that I immediately want to find a needle and thread and begin working on all of the projects. The pictures are gorgeous and the instructions and traceable designs make this magazine a fantastic resource and a treasure. It was hard to choose a favourite project, but I decided upon the Casalguidi centrepiece with tassels because it contained many traditional, but new to me, stitches I will enjoy learning. The project I am working on in the photo is an Alison Cole goldwork and stumpwork design, both new techniques for me, until I took her class at the EAC/ACB seminar in 2018. I will enjoy sharing this magazine with the members of my guild but will take careful note of who borrows it because I will definitely want it back. Thank you for the prize and for the opportunity to review Giuliana Ricama.