Exhibitions

At the invitation of the Schmidt family, the owners, the Wanfried embroidery circle was – among many others – on the day of the open monument at the Aue manor involved in the “Adventure Monument”. Both the intangible cultural heritage of Schwalm whitework and the listed building are traditional cultural assets that should be preserved for posterity.

Participation was also a real adventure for us embroiderers.
In order to direct the expected flow of visitors, we planned a one-way path. Therefore, during the preview we chose a large room that can be entered in the right corner

and a smaller room to the left,

through which visitors could leave our exhibition.

When we arrived to set up the exhibition, the picture had changed,

because shortly before the craftsmen had discovered major damage. The small room was now missing the left wall

and the wall with the door.

Instead there were supports and there was a large hole in the ceiling.

A ramp was built to prevent visitors from tripping over the beam.

The rubble had been cleared away and the floor cleaned.

All that remained was to clean a few windows, remove clay dust from the available furniture and remove the cobwebs from the corners.

Large cloths attached with clips to clotheslines that we had brought with us separated our exhibition area.

Then tables, stools, folding chairs and baskets full of other equipment were brought in. We received power via an unrolled cable drum. Unfortunately, it wasn’t strong enough for the iron – so the textiles couldn’t be finally smoothed again. But it provided enough light for embroidery and good lighting for the exhibits.

Should the clay plaster on the walls be covered in a more rustic style with the sackcloth we brought with us or with coloured cloths?

How should the tables be arranged?

After a few tests and short discussions, the basic concept was in place and the decoration could begin.

On the bed was the magnificent,

completely individually designed

Wedding tablecloth spread.

It was created with a matching pillow in more than 400 hours of embroidery on the finest linen.

Now we have to set up a few stools so that tired visitors don’t want to use the bed to rest. (It couldn’t be completely prevented.)

The covered supports were decorated with tablecloths.

Curtains were attached. Pillows draped.

Teacloths

lamps and runners,

doilies and table bands,

pictures and everything else brought along

were laid out.

A final check after the work was done made the exhausted women happy – Sunday can come!

On the morning of the day of the open monument, the manor is still almost sleepy.

That should change very soon.
Streams of visitors began

and didn’t let up until evening. Some had come from far away. Guests even came from the Harz Mountains.

Crowds of curious people also pushed their way through “our” rooms. Many of the visitors took a closer look at the whitework,

sought conversation and “looked over the embroiderers’ shoulders” or tried out a few stitches themselves.

A total of three younger women want to learn the technique and be there at the next embroidery circle meeting.

We were particularly enthusiastic about three girls around 10 years old who asked to be allowed to embroider too. Highly concentrated, skillful and with great perseverance, they learned several stitches that day.

A very pleasing result and an encouragement for the future, with which our efforts were rewarded.

We would like to thank the Schmidt family for the invitation and for making the presentation possible.

The HR television team has a Video, which is available until October 8th, 2024.

Shortly before the end, a passage from us is shown:

In addition, our regional newspaper reported in detail.

Very close to Eschwege – in Wanfried-Aue – there is a manor with a manor house and extensive farm buildings that is well worth seeing.

Unfortunately, the ensemble was left to fall into disrepair for decades. Now daring new owners have made it their mission to save the manor house, stables, barns and the rest that still exist and give them a new future.

The buildings are under monument protection.
The renovation is difficult. Again and again, craftsmen expose smaller and larger damage.

On the Day of the Open Monument the doors will be opened and people can get an insight into the status of the work.

A balanced supporting program ensures entertainment and should inspire as many visitors as possible.

The Wanfried embroidery circle will also be there with Schwalm whitework, because that suits this occasion well! Both intangible cultural heritage and material cultural heritage such as architectural monuments are about preserving and passing on the skills and knowledge that have often been developed, tested and refined over very long periods of time!

The members of the embroidery circle will present themselves embroidering, be available to answer questions and invite to try things out and take a look. Embroidering in a group is fun and motivating.

Although the rooms have not yet been renovated and resemble a tidy construction site, the power supply is provisional and all equipment has to be brought along, the ladies of the embroidery circle are putting many of their beautiful finished projects on display in an exhibition. I will also be there.

Open on Sunday, September 8th, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The manor is located at Lange Str. 54 in 37281 Wanfried-Aue.

Once again I can point out two small exhibitions of Schwalm whitework.

The Schwalm village Röllshausen – part of the municipality of Schrecksbach – is celebrating its 800th anniversary. For this reason, a standing pageant with 112 varied stations will take place on Sunday, July 21, 2024, like the Exhibitor directory shows.

As I have been told, traditional and contemporary embroidery will be on display in a winter garden (Exhibitor 81) and in another room (Exhibitor 46).

Anyone who is interested in Schwalm traditions and whitework and doesn’t have to travel too far can use Sunday for a trip to Röllshausen.

The entry in the nationwide register of intangible cultural heritage shows initial successes in the fight against being forgotten.
Small but very fine exhibitions are being created in many places of Germany. As a result, Schwalm whitework is becoming more aware of citizens again. The population’s interest is aroused. Demonstrations motivate one to pick up the embroidery needle themself.

Small exhibitions have the advantage that they are easier to set up. Short routes to the presentation locations make travel easier. This attracts visitors from the respective region.

This is also the case in Homberg an der Ohm.
The long-time embroiderer Inge Christ made her exhibits available there for a special exhibition in the museum “Altes Brauhaus“, Brauhausgasse 10.

Ms. Christ will usually be present during opening hours to demonstrate and explain the Schwalm whitework technique.

It is open every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. until July 28th. Further appointments can be made by calling 06633 5372 or by email: stadt@homberg.de.

So if you don’t live too far away and want to admire outstanding original exhibits, going to Homberg is recommend. Admission is free.

Elisabeth Erdmann leads an open whitework and lacemaking circle in Karlstadt, where women meet once a month on the first Saturday to work together. Up to 20 active people then come together to indulge in their hobby. Newcomers join us every now and then to get a taste of the subject matter and learn something so that they can one day pass on their knowledge themselves.

For International Museum Day on May 19, 2024, there was the opportunity to to provide a small but fine exhibition of whitework in the Museum Prassek-Scheune in Kreuzwertheim .

Elisabeth took the opportunity to present skillfully beautiful,

mostly elaborately embroidered exhibits

in the special ambience of the museum.

So many visitors to the museum in Bavaria had the opportunity to get to know the noble Schwalm whitework on this day. They were thrilled by the effect of the diverse designs and patterns. Such individually stitched embroidery are impressively displayed not only in the special ambience of a museum, but also in a state-of-the-art domestic facility.