Collection
The San Francisco School of Needlework and Design Collection consists of embroideries and needlework that demonstrate good examples of a variety of embroidery techniques spanning a time period from 19th century through the 21st century as well as ephemera pertaining to embroidery and needlework.
Care and maintenance of the collection is funded by annual campaign donors.
Included are the works of important figures in promoting this art form as well as specific schools of work. Pieces that demonstrate important changes in the craft over time, especially as related to societal impact on embroidery are key to this collection. Examples displaying techniques and stitches of historic importance and significance will be a priority.
The collection does not discriminate in terms of geographic origin of pieces and seeks out pieces that demonstrate embroidery from diverse cultures. The collection includes textiles, books, drawings, tools, and records.
There are 3 categories in the collection:
Permanent: This collection is maintained for research, educational, and exhibit purposes.
Study: This collection is maintained for support and research. It is intended for educational use in programs, exhibitions, and demonstrations.
Ephemera: This collection consists of drawings, designs and kits that support embroidery
If you would like to view our collection for research or exhibit purposes, please contact collections@sfsnad.org to make an appointment.
Care and maintenance of the Collection is funded by Annual Campaign Donors.
Detail: Swedish Royal Gold Thread Embroidery Sampler stitched by Nina Ulrika Sohlberg of Stockholm, Sweden, c. 1890. Collection of SFSNAD.
DONATING TO THE SFSNAD COLLECTION
SNAD relies on generous donations to develop its collections. We look to include exceptional embroideries and study-worthy embroideries for our students and community to observe, learn from, and enjoy. We welcome you to present us with donations for consideration, however, we are not able to accept everything that we are offered.
SNAD is legally and ethically accountable for the proper care and preservation of these collections, and we can only accept items after our committee carefully considers our ability to care for, exhibit, and properly store collection materials.
When you submit an item to donate, our collections committee will review how the object fits within our mission statement and our collections policy (see below). We will also review how the object might relate to other items already in our collections and how well we can care for and store the object. We particularly seek objects that have stories connected to them with related artwork and photographs to accompany them.
SNAD is not able to provide valuations for donations; we recommend those seeking tax deductions for their donations to speak with your accountant.
SFSNAD currently is NOT accepting new donations into the Collection.
Donated items must meet one or more of the following:
Item is demonstrative of the history of hand embroidery, including stitch execution, fiber constitution, use of ground fabric, dyes, application of found materials (including applique), or changes in gauge.
Item is demonstrative of the variety of uses of hand embroidery, including historical or contemporary material applications; ritual apparel or other furnishing; home furnishing and decoration; banners and signage; or apparel, including couture, one-off, mended or upcycled, or personal expression
The item has attributes exhibiting any of the following:
History of embroiderers or the embroidery business
Specific cultural, social, or political context
Specific regional, traditional, heritage, indigenous significance
Historical events
Attributed to significant person, place, event
Item is an exemplar of masterful skill or technical significance in any or all of execution, design, fiber or fabric manipulation
Item is an example of historical teaching or passing on of embroidery skills to younger generations or apprentices.
Item demonstrates creative, imaginative, or innovative application of hand embroidery, in particular pieces considered to be first of its kind.