Stitches in Time: The Life of Beryl Dean

30/03/2019

Stitches in Time: The Life of Beryl Dean - Saturday 30th March 2019
St Paul’s Cathedral and The Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ
Led by: Laura Moffat/Cela Selley


On Saturday 30 March there will be a study day on Beryl Dean, the pre-eminent ecclesiastical embroiderer of the late 20th Century. Dean’s work, spanning over 60 years, ranged from costume design and exhibition pieces to vestments and altar frontals for both British and American churches. Her exquisite technical skill and aesthetic eye, together with her passion and commitment to the art form, was developed by her teaching, and in 1955 she formed the Ecclesiastical Embroidery class at Hammersmith College. Students of Dean’s went on to undertake high profile commissions to both Dean's designs and their own. This study day will examine the context in which Dean’s output developed, her works that survive in both museums and churches, and her influence on contemporary needlework today. 

More information about Beryl Dean and her influence can be found at www.beryldean.org.uk

The day begins with the option to view the Jubilee Cope (pictured) at St Paul’s Cathedral from where we shall walk to continue the day at The Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street. 'The Jubilee Cope by Beryl Dean, 1977. Photograph by Nigel Roberson. Courtesy of The Chapter of St Paul's and The Beryl Dean Education Trust

Speakers include:

Diana Phillips (Archivist, The Beryl Dean Education Trust) and Elizabeth Elvin (Woman Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Broderers and Former Head of the Royal School of Needlework): A Modernist Vision for a(n) Historic Art – the Ecclesiastical Embroidery of Beryl Dean, 1950 to 1970

Diana Springall (textile artist, author and collector): A legend in her time: Beryl Dean and her contemporaries

June Hill (Independent curator and writer): Beryl Dean, a contemporary perspective

Peter Delaney (former Archdeacon of London): “All that glisters is not gold”; ecclesiastical commissions by Beryl Dean

The day is organised and jointly hosted by Art and Christianity, the C20 Society and the Textile Society.

Meet at 9.15am by The Churchill Gates in the cathedral crypt, which is accessed by a door on the north side of the cathedral opposite to a Paul café to view cope at 9.30am.  10.30am start at Cowcross Street
Finish time: Approx 4.30pm

Members’ price: £40.00 (and concessions)    Non members: £50.00   (To include access to St. Paul’s Cathedral to view the Jubilee Cope, morning and afternoon refreshments, and lunch).

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