ThoughtGallery.org > Trude Guermonprez and Lanette Scheeline: Breaking Boundaries with Design

Trude Guermonprez and Lanette Scheeline: Breaking Boundaries with Design

In mid-twentieth century San Francisco, two women explored new directions in weaving and the design of fabrics and wallcoverings. Join us to discover the works of émigré Trude Guermonprez (1910-1976), an inventive and inspiring weaver, textile designer, and teacher, and her contemporary Lanette Scheeline (1910-2001), a Bay Area native who operated a successful textile and wallpaper design business.

In this program, we will explore the undeniable impact that California’s warm, vibrant landscape and cultural optimism had on the work of these two figures who, although successful in their time, are often overlooked today. We will investigate the innovations that Guermonprez and Scheeline made in the fields of fiber art and design, and examine the moments when their two distinct career paths converged. Following the talk, go on a behind-the-scenes tour of works by Guermonprez and Scheeline in Cooper Hewitt’s collection. Then, join a hands-on design workshop to experiment with some of the methods and materials embraced by these two dexterous artists.

The talk will be presented by Sarah Vezina, a graduate student in the History of Design and Curatorial Studies program offered jointly by the Parsons School of Design and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

This program is appropriate for textile designers, fiber artists, and general participants ages 14+. All materials will be provided.

ABOUT THE DESIGNERS

Trude Guermonprez (American, b. Germany, 1910–1976)

Trude Guermonprez’s weavings helped to expand the boundaries of her craft during the early years of the fiber art movement. Her original artworks included painted warp “textile graphics,” three-dimensional “space hangings,” and brocade “word hangings.” An influential weaving teacher, Trude Guermonprez’s students continued her legacy of experimentation and several went on to become well known fiber art practitioners. Guermonprez also produced architectural commissions and designs for industrial manufacturers over the course of her career.

Lanette Scheeline (American, 1910–2001)

Lanette Scheeline’s lively designs were often inspired by the view from her studio window, and common motifs in her work include exotic and local flowers and trees, marine scenes, and natural and built landscapes. Scheeline hand-printed custom textiles for interior decorators and designed wallpapers and fabrics for industrial manufacturers. Her customizable wallpaper tree murals, with their ability to “grow” up the wall and across the ceiling, were an innovation in wallpaper design, possibly unique to this designer.











When: Thu., Dec. 5, 2019 at 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
2 E. 91st St.
212-489-8404
Price: $15 General Admission, $8 Museum Member, Student, Educator, Senior
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In mid-twentieth century San Francisco, two women explored new directions in weaving and the design of fabrics and wallcoverings. Join us to discover the works of émigré Trude Guermonprez (1910-1976), an inventive and inspiring weaver, textile designer, and teacher, and her contemporary Lanette Scheeline (1910-2001), a Bay Area native who operated a successful textile and wallpaper design business.

In this program, we will explore the undeniable impact that California’s warm, vibrant landscape and cultural optimism had on the work of these two figures who, although successful in their time, are often overlooked today. We will investigate the innovations that Guermonprez and Scheeline made in the fields of fiber art and design, and examine the moments when their two distinct career paths converged. Following the talk, go on a behind-the-scenes tour of works by Guermonprez and Scheeline in Cooper Hewitt’s collection. Then, join a hands-on design workshop to experiment with some of the methods and materials embraced by these two dexterous artists.

The talk will be presented by Sarah Vezina, a graduate student in the History of Design and Curatorial Studies program offered jointly by the Parsons School of Design and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

This program is appropriate for textile designers, fiber artists, and general participants ages 14+. All materials will be provided.

ABOUT THE DESIGNERS

Trude Guermonprez (American, b. Germany, 1910–1976)

Trude Guermonprez’s weavings helped to expand the boundaries of her craft during the early years of the fiber art movement. Her original artworks included painted warp “textile graphics,” three-dimensional “space hangings,” and brocade “word hangings.” An influential weaving teacher, Trude Guermonprez’s students continued her legacy of experimentation and several went on to become well known fiber art practitioners. Guermonprez also produced architectural commissions and designs for industrial manufacturers over the course of her career.

Lanette Scheeline (American, 1910–2001)

Lanette Scheeline’s lively designs were often inspired by the view from her studio window, and common motifs in her work include exotic and local flowers and trees, marine scenes, and natural and built landscapes. Scheeline hand-printed custom textiles for interior decorators and designed wallpapers and fabrics for industrial manufacturers. Her customizable wallpaper tree murals, with their ability to “grow” up the wall and across the ceiling, were an innovation in wallpaper design, possibly unique to this designer.

Buy tickets/get more info now