May Morris: Desire and Feeling for Beauty in Embroidery

Presented by San Francisco School of Needlework and Design (SNAD)

Suggested donation $10. Register online.

“This co-written lecture by Lucy Barter and Mae McCourt will be featured again under our very own SNAD Presents series, and will be presented by Mae McCourt for the event.

Lucy Barter a co-founder of SNAD, served as the resident embroidery teacher at Filoli, created a Goldwork Embroidery Craftsy class, and served as the US Course Coordinator and instructor for the Royal School of Needlework. In 2006, Lucy graduated from the Royal School of Needlework Apprenticeship Program, and holds a BA Honors Degree in Fashion Design from the University of Northumbria.

Mae McCourt, an Instructor at SNAD was one of the first students to undertake the Comprehensive Studies Program in Surface Embroidery, Mae is also a member of the William Morris society. After enjoying embroidery as a hobby for many years, she decided to combine her years of experience and training as a teacher with her love of needlework.

May Morris, daughter of William Morris, was an influential figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, best known for her work at the Morris & Co embroidery department. Recent publications and exhibits have brought May’s achievements out of the shadow of her father and his company, allowing us to discover more about May, her style, her skills and her aesthetic. In this lecture, we focus on May Morris as an embroiderer and designer. We will explore the work she accomplished, her teaching, the lectures she gave, and the publication of “Decorative Needlework,” her introductory guide to embroidery.”