Museum of Russian Icons Winter 2018 Newsletter MoRI_Winter_2018_web | Page 2

From the
Curator’s
Desk
This season we continue
to break away from
presenting temporary
exhibitions strictly about
icons, in favor of exhibitions that delve
into adjacent cultures and explore ideas
that relate indirectly to iconography.
Our current exhibition, Migration
+ Memory, comes from a private
collection, and explores the lasting
contributions that Jewish artists made
to the political and cultural climate of
the early days of the Soviet Union.
In February, we will host another
private collection in the new exhibition
Rushnyky: Sacred Ukrainian Textiles.
This collection was assembled by
Franklin Sciacca from Hamilton College
in NY, where he is Associate Professor
of Russian Language and Literature. His
collection developed out of his interest
in the vernacular expression and the
functional uses of these beautiful
textiles. The cloths are used in rituals
for religious and festival ceremonies,
as well as to adorn and beautify icons.
The exhibition explores the traditional
crafts of this region, and will highlight
different weaving and embroidery
techniques, and regional stylistic
differences in patterns.
We are expanding our understanding
of Russian culture and building a wide
context for the appreciation of icons
with these new exhibitions, while
remaining the premier collector of
Russian icons in the nation.
Happy 2018,
Kent Russell, CEO/Curator
2 | WINTER 2018
February Vacation
Temari Classes
These are 3-day classes for children and
adults. Instructor: Terri Whitney.
February 20 – February 22
10:30am-12:00pm, Children ages 10-14
1:30-3:00pm, Teens 15+ and adults
$45 Members, $50 Nonmembers
plus $7 for supplies.
Each class limited to 6 students. Advance
registration required by February 16.
A thousand-year-old art from Japan,
temari (“handball”) were originally
made as simple toys. As the functional
stitching became more decorative, these
intricately embroidered balls developed
into an art form. Temari are cherished
gifts, symbolizing friendship and loyalty.
They can be used as ornaments, as part
of a centerpiece, or displayed on their
own as an elegant decoration.
No hand-stitching experience is
required for this class. Those who
practice other types of needlework will
enjoy exploring the non-linear stitching
patterns in this unique style.
Participants are expected to attend
all three sessions. Registration fees are
non-refundable.
Rushnyky:
Sacred Ukrainian
Textiles
Exhibition Opening Reception
Thursday, February 15, 6:00–8:00pm
Members Free, Nonmembers $15
Join us to mark the opening of our new
special exhibition, Rushnyky: Sacred
Ukrainian Textiles.
Frank Sciacca, owner of the collection and
curator of the exhibition, will talk about
the rushnyk as artifact—its construction,
regional variations, and functions as a ritual
talisman in life transitions. A reception with
wine and hors d’oeuvres will follow the
presentation.