2005Press Information Pack

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15 – 18 September 2005 11th European Patchwork Meeting

What is the European Patchwork Meeting?Why such an event in the Val d’Argent?What are the future prospects?

Here are some answers…

CONTENTSI. Press release

II. Complete information about the 11th edition 1- The programme Guests of honour: The Cook Islands and Norway Collectors’ passion European Textile Groups European Artists Fashion designers (Designers corner) Merchant Hall Exhibitions off Classes and lectures 2- Means of communication 3- Our partners

III. The European Patchwork Meeting from 1995 until 2005

IV. The historical and economical context 1- Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, cradle of the Amish movement 2- The patchwork industry around the world

V. Prospects The European House of Patchwork and Textile Arts

VI. Practical information

VII. Visuals to be loaded

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11th European Patchwork Meeting, 15 – 18 September 2005 For the 11th edition of the European Patchwork Meeting, the organizers are expecting more than 18 000 visitors in the Val d’Argent, situated in Alsace. Spread in 4 villages of the Vosges Valley, there will be no less than 30 exhibitions, 800 textile works, 12 fashion shows, 125 international shops, 24 classes, 7 lectures and 3 off exhibitions. The importance and the diversity of the programme helped this event, to become in 10 years, a European reference.

New exhibitions on the theme “Inspiration from here and there…”The guests of honour will make us travel from the North of Europe up to the Cook Islands in the Pacific Oceanto enjoy their famous Tivaivai.

In partnership with the French Association of Anabaptist and Mennonite History, the collector Jacques Légeret will present an exhibition called “the Appearance and the Reality”; our partner, Quiltmania, has invited at the Villa Burrus, the Welsh collector Jen Jones who will show quilts reflecting the strength and the simplicity ofthe Welsh soul. Labors of Love, a New York collector, will exhibit old quilts dated from 1840 to 1940, in an old bank in Ste Marie-aux-Mines.

For the first time, different art quilt groups will preview works specially made on specific themes: the 3rd“Artextures” contest, “a Scandinavian rendez-vous” by the Danish group QuilteQunsterne, “Chiaroscuro” by the British artists of By Design, “Brown Bags” by the Belgian group Q.art, the works specially made in 2005, for the 10th anniversary of the prestigious South African foundation, Innovative Threads, Bosnian quilts or the wool quilts of quilters from the Berlin region.

Personal exhibitions of 11 European artists showing works specially made for the occasion: Hillka Luosa (Finland), Linda Bar-On (Israël), Nadine Richard (France), Linda and Laura Kemshall (United Kingdom), Myriam Tripet (France), Mirjam Pet-Jacobs (The Netherlands), Jutta Briehn (Germany), Greti Raffeiner (Austria), Marie Pia Inderbitzin and Verena Matter (Switzerland).

Textile Art areaLocated for the first time in the Church of St Louis, it will host the French Cross Stitch Association, thecontest of textile miniatures “The Spirit of Time in Europe – textile interpretation” organized by Quilt Star Gallery (Germany) as well as the French artist Yvette Campos-Kratzeisen.

An area devoted to fashion…The “designers” hall will hold 3 fashion shows a day, presenting the creations of Agostina Dalla Mora (Italy), Françoise Hoffmann and Stéphane Thomas, both French. The manipulation of felt will surprise you. You will also discover 10 jewellery, hand bags and garment designers, as well as an exhibition of the Luneville Conservatoire of Embroideries and the Dutch artist Colette Berends specialized in textile collages.

Exhibitions offAt the Textile Museum of Wessering: “Surfaces” by Dörte Bach (Germany) and at the Musée d’Impression sur Etoffes in Mulhouse, “Patchworks from yesterday and today”. The organisers of the European Meeting have also invited, at Ste Marie-aux-Mines, the Alsatian mosaic artist, Gérard Brand, whose colourful creations are very close to patchwork.

24 classes, starting on Wednesday, September 14th and ending on Monday,September 19th.In partnership with Huqsvarna-Viking, Pfaff, 24 patchwork classes on different traditional and contemporary techniques will be the perfect opportunity to meet well known international teachers: Bente Vold Klausen (Norway), Celia de Villiers (South Africa), Ann Bradshaw (Ireland), Evelyn Montague (France), Liz Maidment ( United Kingdom), Dijanne Cevaal (Australia), Marta Anzolla (Italy), Danielle Guérin (France), Elizabeth Klein (Germany), Sophie Fubeyre (France), Ruth Tschudy (Swizerland), Virginia Walton (USA), Esther Miller (USA).

5 lectures, 2 encountersThe lectures will deal with various subjects. Annette and Robert Claxton will talk about juxtaposition, Jen Jones will guide us through her exhibition of Welsh quilts, the South African artist, Celia de Villiers, will make us travel through the exhibition Innovative Threads 2005. Steven Nolt, a specialist of the Amish community, will specially fly from the United States to talk about theactual Amish people. He will be teaming with the Swiss collector, Jacques Légeret and the historian Claude Baecher.

At the merchant hall - more than 115 exhibitors The merchant hall, in Lièpvre, will, once more, welcome more than 115 European and American traders selling fabrics and various notions related to patchwork and quilting. For the first time, our partner Husqvarna-Viking, Pfaff, will invite all visitors to visit its “Pfaff CreativeExperience” area.

I. PRESS RELEASE

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II. Complete information about the 11th edition

1- The programme (the whole programme is included)

The Cook Islands and Norway – guests of honour

Collectors’ passion

European Textile Groups

European Artists Fashion designers (Designers corner)

Merchant Hall

Exhibitions off the European Meeting

Classes and lectures

2- Means of communication

To reflect its European identity, the European Patchwork Meeting needs to use of trilingualmeans of communication.

Web site (98 000 visitors en 2004) www.patchwork-europe.com

37 000 programmes in French, English and German

30 000 flyers supported by 3500 posters announce the event

More than 50 advertisements as well as numerous articles in local and international news papers and specialised magazines support the event. Many regional, national and international TV channels cover also this exceptional moment.

17 000 guides with all the necessary practical information are distributed to the visitors during the event.

Every year, a prestigious catalogue comprising a selection of quilts is published and sold to keep this event vivid for the visitors.

3- Our partners

The French Association of Anabaptist and Mennonite History | Alexandra Editrice | ASCLVL –

patchwork department | Aurifial Srl | Bohin France | Brasserie Kronenburg | Cave de Turckeim |

Crédit Mutuel | Communuaté des Communes du Val d’Argent | Commune de Rombach-le-Franc |

Commune de Lièpvre | Commune de Ste Croix-aux-Mines | Commune de Ste Marie-aux-Mines |

Destinatours | Dipa – Burda | Editions de Saxe | France Bleu Alsace | France Patchwork | France

Point de Croix | Husqvarna-Viking | Pfaff | Lycée Alexandre Dumas | Parc de Wessering – Textile

Museum | The Parish of Val d’Argent | Patchwork Ideen | Produits de la Cicogne | Quiltmania |

Rossmann SA | Teintureries de l’Est | Val Patch

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It can be said that it is in 1993, that the idea of a European Patchwork Meeting was born. Indeed, that year, the French Association of Anabaptist and Menonnite History celebrated in Ste Marie-aux-Mines the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Amish movement. A real discovery - 18 TV channels from all over the world covered the event and 5000 visitors were moved and fascinated by the Amish quilts showed by the Swiss collector Jacques Légeret.

Why not, then, organizing an annual event based on patchwork and quilting?

This how in 1995, the Val d’Argent (Alsace) opens the 1st European Patchwork Meeting. Within 10 years, this patchwork and textile arts event will become a reference all around Europe, attracting every year more visitors from all around the world.

Right from the beginning, the aim of the organisers was to develop a concept enabling amateurs to discover all the different aspects of patchwork and quilting. During 4 days, more than 800 works dispatched up to 19 sites in 14 villages of the Val d’Argent will be exhibited. Traditional, ancient and contemporary quilts, as well as art quilts will represent a large panel of what is created around the world.Classes with specific techniques or classes on creativity coupled with various lectures, all given byrenowned artists will add to the interest of the event. The international merchant hall with some 115 exhibitors attracts a large number of visitors eager to discover the latest collections of fabrics or the newest notions, sewing machines, books….

The European Patchwork Meeting has always tried to improve and develop its different activities. This is how, since its 2nd year, an international patchwork juried contest was launched. At the same time, it was decided to invite, each year a different country as guest of honour and make so discover the different aspects of quilting around the world. Each year, there are many new improvements: efficient shuttles, easier access to handicappedpeople, practical guide, better communication…Through the years, the event become more diversified and more innovative, the newest initiative consisting of the creation of a designerscorner. Since 2004, this area offers the discovery of fashion creations and accessories related to patchwork Each year, the development of new activities attracts more and more people interested in discovering the different aspects of patchwork and quilting that can, most certainly be considered as an art in its own right.

From 5000 visitors in 1995 to 16500 in 2004, the number of entries is in constant progression and the organizers expect 18000 in 2005.

III. The European Patchwork Meeting from 1995 until 2005

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Progression of entries

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1- Ste Marie-aux-Mines, cradle of the Amish movement

The Anabaptist movement dates from the 16th century and finds its origins in the region of Zürich in Switzerland. Persecuted, some of the followers, immigrate to the Val d’Argent and settle in Ste Marie-aux-Mines. The first to come are minors from Switzerland and Moravia belonging to diverse spiritualmovements. From 1671, others will come from Berne, Emmental and Thoune (1691-1696) as well as from Sumisland (1705-1709) where Anabaptist farmers and breeders are persecuted.

All those immigrants are hard workers and loyal and quickly they are very much appreciated in Ste Marie-aux-Mines. Some members of the community do not appreciate their wealth.

Jacob Amman so called the “Patriarch” becomes the leader and denounces what he considers a loosening behaviour. He fears that the community might loose its identity and tries to lay down stricter rules.

In 1693, there is a schism between Jacob Amann, his followers and most of the Swiss (Mennonite) and Palatine communities. Jacob Amann’s followers refuse all contact with the other communities. They keep all the land and in 1696, the priest of St Louis Church in Ste Marie-aux-Mines complaints to the king Louis XIV.

In 1712, the king confiscated Amish’s lands. They spreadaround all Alsace and even up to Lorraine region. As they religion is not accepted, they meet in their farms.

After the French revolution, they immigrate to the New World. Evidently, France, but also the rest of Europe do not recognise their religion. Nevertheless, we should not forget that the Amish, well established in Pennsylvania and other American states come from Alsace.

2– The patchwork industry around the world

According to a survey made in 2000 in the USA by 2 independent agencies, NFO and ABACUS, there are almost 21 million quilters (99% women) in the USA, a progression of 50% since 1997. They spend 1.84 billion dollars per year. The “real” quilters (those spending more than 500$/year with an average of 2000$ in its whole) represent 5.2% of all quilters, i.e over 1 million persons contributing at 94.7% to the whole turnover of the patchwork industry. They buy 105 million meters of patchwork fabrics, representing twice and a half the distance around the world. This is the proof that this art, this passion or this craft should not be considered just like a fashion, to the contrary, it keeps growing all over the world and should be taken seriously.

In Europe, the European Quilt Association (EQA) counts more than 60 000 members who also belong to a national quilters guild. Countries member of EQA are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

IV. The historical and economical context

A well known European site in textile arts More than 1 000 m² dedicated to international exhibitions - all styles and trends - from antique and traditional to more contemporary creations

The ideal place to discover or improve your skills in textile arts courses by well known artists workshops for artists on residence a specialized shopping area a small enterprise dedicated to the creation and manufacturing of textiles

A place for meetings and discussions A textile museum to discover the unique textile heritage of the Val d’Argent an exhibition area featuring the creation of the Amish movement as well as the world of patchwork a documentation and study center welcoming lectures, meetings and symposiums workshops

A neighbourhood dedicated to arts and heritage Located on a historical site, the project includes 3 additional structures: 1. The interpretation of the architectural and heritage centre of the Val d’Argent that has been recognized as a region of art and history 2. A textile museum 3. Handicarfts workshops

A centre open to the world Headquarters of the European Patchwork Meeting The meeting place of the European Patchwork Guilds A stop-over for European cultural tours A window for the European fabric manufacturers

Statistics An area of 2 200 m² A 2.9 million project An annual attendance of 15 to 20 000 visitors Scheduled opening 2007 – 2008

Partners: The regional administration of the Haut Rhin, the Alsace Region, the National Park of the Vosges mountains, France Patchwork, the European Quilt Association, European Textile Network, the European Institute of Cultural Itineraries.....

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The European Houseof PatchworkandTextileArts

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V. Prospects

Information :

Office de Tourisme du Val d’Argent 86, rue Wilson F- 68160 Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines Phone : +33 (0)3 89 58 80 50 Fax : +33 (0)3 89 58 67 92 E-mail : info@patchwork-europe.com Internet : www. patchwork-europe.com

Press contact :

Mr Christophe Crupi Phone : +33 (0)3 89 58 80 50 Fax : +33 (0)3 89 58 67 92 E-mail : otva.crupic@wanadoo.fr

VI. Pratical information

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VII. Visuals to be loadedHigh definition onwww. patchwork-europe.com > under press area

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Rosemarie ARTMANN-GRAF (CH); Dörte BACH (D); June BARNES (GB); Ursula BAUMUNG (D); Ute BAUNACH (D); Christa BIALEK (D); Catherine BIHL (F); Trudie BIRRI-MATTMANN (CH); Agnès BOCKEL (F); Francine BORN (F); Eszter BORNEMISZA (HU); Maria BORNIKOEL (D); Smaranda BOURGERY (F); Hildegard BRAATZ (D); France BRECHIGNAC (F); Annamaria BRENTI (I); Anco BROUWERS-BRANDERHORST (NL); Pauline BURBIDGE (GB); Koffi CAHOU (Benin); Rosario CASANOVAS (E); Dijanne CEVAAL (AU); Chantal CHARMES (F); Jeanne CHAUSSON (F); Monique CLARAC (F); Annette CLAXTON (GB); Jette CLOVER (NL); Linda COLSH (B); Conservatoire de Broderie de Lunéville (F); Maryvonne DEVILLE GUILLOT (F); Christa EBERT (D); Olof EINARSDOTTIR (IS); Ruth EISSFELDT (D); Ann FAHY (IE); Kaffe FASSETT (GB); Lilo FEICHTINGER (D); Katriina FLENSBURG (S); France Patchwork (F); France Point de Croix (F); Isabelle GARAUD (F); Gerdur GUDMUNDSDOTTIR (IS); Kristveig HALLDORSDOTTIR (IS); Marianne HÄNI (CH); Friderun HEIL (D); Danielle HSIUNG (F); Bridget INGRAM BARTHOLOMÄUS (D); Maria KÖHLER (D); Shizuko KUROHA (J); Soisik LABBENS (F); Beatrice LANTER (CH); Marita LAPPALAINEN (FI); Jacques LEGERET (CH); Louise LEMIEUX BERUBE (CA); Rita LERCH HEER (CH); Liz MAIDMENT (F); Cherilyn MARTIN (NL); Elisabeth MAZDAR (TR); Gabi METT (D); Judith MUNDWILER (CH); Josy NARCY (F); Francine NICOLLE (F); Elsbeth NUSSER LAMPE (D); Gundi OMLOR (D); Cosabeth PARRIAUD (F); Annabel PATTULLO (D); Christine PEYRET-GAUDINO (F); Olga PRINS LUKOWSKI (NL); Chiara PIZZINATO (I); Geneviève RAMPAL (F); Andrea RAMSAUER (D); Edith RAYMOND (F); Roberta RIVIN (F); Marie-Thérèse RJEWSKI (B); Yoko SAITO (J); Annemarie SCHÖNHOLZER (CH); Paul SCHUTTE (ZA); Hrafnhildur SIGURDARDOTTIR (IS); Léa STANSAL (F); Georgeta STATESCU (F); Vesna STIH (SI); Heide STOLL-WEBER (D); Elisabeth STRAUBHAAR (F); Christine STUDER (F); Betsey TELFORD (USA); Odile TEXIER (F); Nita THAKORE I(N); Stéphane THOMAS (F); Ruth TSCHUDY (CH); Els VAN BAARLE (NL); Nelleke VAN DE WEGE (NL); Bente VOLD KLAUSEN (N); Christel WALTER (D); Anne WORINGER (F); Charlotte YDE (DK)..

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