Sivan Ilan's Embroidery Workshop at Paradigm Gallery

PhilaU Textile Design graduate student and artist Sivan Ilan recently partnered with Paradigm Gallery and Studio, as part of the gallery's community arts program. In an attempt to bring art closer to the public and make it accessible and affordable, free workshops are offered to all skill levels.  The artwork created throughout the year is displayed in the gallery in March and sold in a silent auction to fund the continuation of the program. 



This month, the workshop was entitled Embroidered Fabric Collage instructed by Sivan. After learning several basic embroidery stitches, participants applied fabric scraps onto the canvas, using an embroidery hoop and creating a composition to their liking. Over the three hours and with  little knowledge or previous experience in needlework, each and every person created their own unique artwork! The results were incredibly beautiful and varied in style and artistic direction. 



Fabric scraps used during the event were supplied by Fabscrap - a NYC based start-up which collects fabric waste from apparel companies in the garment district and sorts it to be repurposed or recycled. After a day of volunteering at Fabscrap's sorting facility in Jamaica, NY, Sivan was able to assemble a rich selection of textiles to be utilized in the workshop and turned into wonderful pieces of art! 

Please see the below images from the day.  The photos are compliments of Gabriel Ortiz, also a PhilaU Textile Design M.S. student.  Congratulations to Sivan for such a successful workshop and to the participants for their beautiful creations!

Sivan Ilan leading the workshop.

Participants enjoying the workshop.

Sivan and the workshop participants hard at work.

                                                   Lovely work created throughout the day.

Liora Manne Textile Design Project

Designer, innovator and business owner Liora Manne enlisted PhilaU Textile Design students to create new products and processes to expand the markets for her patented Lamontage process.  Over the course of the Spring 2017 semester, teams of undergraduate and graduate Textile Designers collaborated to develop diverse, creative products exploring sustainability, embedded technology, novel design approaches, etc.  Liora and her team members Jennie Jones and Sarah Fowler came to campus early in the semester to kick off the project, as well as a midpoint review and for final presentations.  Students benefitted from the close relationship with Liora and her team, receiving direct, productive feedback over the course of the semester.  The project culminated in a celebration and awards ceremony at Liora Manne's studio in the D & D building in NYC on May 24th.  Awards were selected by an invited panel of industry leaders in the interior design, architecture and museum curatorial fields. 

The First Place award was presented to Blush Plush, a collection of apparel and interior textiles and products created by Alyssa Yanni (BSTD May '17), Valerie Gibbins (MSID May '17) and Oluwabusola Duroshola (MSTD December '17).

Left to right: Jennie Jones, Alyssa Yanni, Oluwabusola Duroshola, Liora Manne, Valerie Gibbins and Sarah Fowler

The Second Place award was presented to Light Up As You Wish, a window treatment involving fiber optics created by Yi Liu (MSTD May '18), Megan Onuskanych (BSTD May '17) and Jessica Thies (BSTD May '17).

Left to right, Jennie Jones, Yi Liu, Liora Manne, Jessica Thies and Sarah Fowler

 The Third Place Award was presented to Lumo Web, an interactive wall textile including sequin LEDs, created by Becky Flax (MSTD May '17), Emily Olsen (MSTD May '18) and Vanessa Accime (MSTE May '17).

Left to right: Jennie Jones, Liora Manne, Emily Olsen, Becky Flax and Sarah Fowler

Congratulations to all of the students for their great work on this project.