About

Our Founding Story

San Francisco School of Needlework and Design was founded in 2015 by passionate embroiderers, Lucy Barter and Ellice Sperber. Ms. Barter was trained as an apprentice at the Royal School of Needlework in England and ran their courses in the United States for eight years. Ms. Sperber earned her Diploma at the Royal School of Needlework. The two met during the US-based courses and began envisioning a school of needlework that was not only based in the United States, but would bring a fresh and modern creativity to the art form.

Two women sitting side by side on a couch with floral embroidered pillows on each side and a floral branch on the wall behind them. The woman on the right is wearing glasses. They both have brown shoulder length hair and are smiling.

The needlework tradition

Hand embroidery is one of the world’s most ancient crafts – found in cultures worldwide. There is a long and well-documented story of American needlework, as it was taught as a part of a girl’s formal education from the colonial period through the Victorian age. When teaching the craft ceased to be a formal part of a girl’s education, the art form survived as the knowledge was passed along in families.

Needlework today is pursued both for art and fashion. San Francisco School of Needlework & Design offers a wide range of technique classes taught by experienced and dedicated masters of the art – and a welcoming, collegial environment for sharing the pleasures of this slow and infinitely rewarding craft.

Together, we will create contemporary designs and art to bring this slow craft through the hyper-fast world of the 21st century.

Close up detail of goldwork floral design hand embroidered on a grey background.

Mission + Vision + Values

Our Mission is to preserve and advance the art of hand embroidery – a globally practiced craft. We do this by offering high quality, educational opportunities that honor imagination and creativity, with the goal of advancing textile and needlework arts from around the world. We provide excellence in craft education from beginner to professional levels, taught by knowledgeable educators with diverse cultural and technical perspectives. We engage intergenerational communities who exchange slow craft traditions in a collaborative learning environment. We offer unique exhibition opportunities for both emerging and established artists in our two onsite Galleries, the Hanging Thread Gallery and the Corridor Gallery.

Two women at a desk. One woman is reaching into her purse to purchase a book. The other woman is ringing her purchase up on an ipad, In the background is a mural of the map of the world embroidered in many colors.

Our Equity Statement

In order to eliminate barriers that prevent anyone from appreciating and contributing to the teaching and learning of hand embroidery in their own unique and valuable way, the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design Board of Directors and Staff stand united with all racialized, marginalized and underrepresented individuals. We affirm our identity as an organization that welcomes all regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, age, cognitive style, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and/or physical ability. We are committed to speaking out and to holding ourselves accountable and adjusting our own actions whenever we encounter racism, discrimination, or oppression. We further commit to ensure that we are providing an environment where everyone is accepted, valued and respected, while fostering a strong sense of belonging for all individuals.

Three smiling women engaged in a conversation in front of a colorful wall of wool threads separated by color on a grid.

Annalee Levin, Sheila Iskin and Amy Jenkins enjoying time at SFSNAD

Our Team

Our Board

  • Christine Tanabe

    Board Chair

  • Rosa Ziebell

    Board Member

  • Lucy Barter

    Founding Board Secretary

  • Duwenavue Santé Johnson

    Board Secretary

  • Devi Vallabhaneni

    Board Member

  • TODD HELLMAN

    Board Treasurer

  • ANGELA GRIMES

    Board Member

  • JENNIE MARTEL

    Board Vice Chair

Our Advisory Board

  • Anita Blackaby

  • Andrea Fleming

  • Kristian Fleming

  • Anna Garris Goiser

  • Doug Kreinik

  • Marion Scoular

  • jill zerkle

  • Barb Lieberman

  • shelley wells

  • Sarah Halsey

    Founding Board Treasurer