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Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising Courting Style: Women’s Tennis Fashion

Traveling exhibition from the International Tennis Hall of Fame

The Avenir Museum Gallery

June 20-Nov. 16, 2023

Courting Style: Women's Tennis Fashion

A traveling exhibition from the collections of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Courting Style: Women’s Tennis Fashion explores the intersection of tennis, fashion, personality, and identity as they reflect concurrent social and cultural contexts from the 1870s to the present. Made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, ExhibitsUSA, and Mid-America Arts Alliance.

Programs

Wimbledon Watch Party

July 8, 2023 

Watch Party for Wimbledon held at the Avenir Museum, with themed snacks and activities alongside the Courting Style exhibition. 

A bright green graphic with eh words Wimbledon Watch Party

U.S. Open Watch Party

September 6th, 2023 

Watch Party for the U.S. Open held at the Avenir Museum, with themed snacks, mocktails, and activities alongside the Courting Style exhibition. 

An orange and blue background with rackets and tennis ball and text that says US Open Watch Party

Center Court

September 9th, 2023

A program about the past, present, and future of women’s tennis at Colorado State University. The president of Colorado State University joined the museum for a meet and mingle with the CSU 2023-2024 women’s tennis team. Former CSU tennis coach Jon Messick and current tennis coach Mai-Ly Tran spoke with museum curator Paula Alaszkiewicz on CSU tennis history.

CSU Tennis Coaches and Curator Paula Alaszkewicz

Visiting Scholar Talk: Kristi Tredway, Ph.D.

September 21, 2023 
 
 Dr. Kristi Tredway is a research associate at Johns Hopkins University researching breast cancer disparities across social factors. She was a professional tennis player from 1988 to 1992 and was coached by Rosie Casals. She presented on Ted Tinling, who created feminine tennis attire that supported women, despite assertions of lack of femininity due to their physical expression of skill and power.  

Kristi Tredway headshot on a green backdrop with gray tennis rackets

Octopi of CSU collaboration

Nov. 1-16, 2023 

In partnership with the Colorado State University informal student group, Octopi of CSU, crochet octopi were made using pieces from the Courting Style exhibition as inspiration. These octopi could be won on a bi-weekly basis by answering trivia questions related to the exhibition.

About 16 crocheted octopi of various colors, sizes, and textures stacked on top of one another

CSU Source Articles

New Avenir exhibition features clothing worn by tennis legends Serena Williams, Billie Jean King

Pictures from the Center Court Event

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising | Center Court Event