Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising Programs and Events
Our programs and events highlight the wide range of the Avenir’s current exhibitions, as well as guest presenters on unique subjects. Join us for these free, public lectures on an intriguing array of textile topics!
Make & Mend
Saturday, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, and Dec. 2, 2023
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Avenir Classroom
Are your favorite jeans ripped? Do you have holes in your socks? Want to learn how to sew on a button or just need a larger space for a sewing project? Drop in to our monthly ‘Make & Mend’ events. All textile project types are welcome- we will do what we can to help. (Please note that this is not an alteration service, we want to help you learn to maintain and create your own clothes!)
Visiting Scholar Talk: Kristi Tredway
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Avenir Classroom
Kristi Tredway, Ph.D. presents: Ted Tinling and the Women’s Professional Tennis Revolution
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 will be speaking about 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.
Heirloom Histories
Thursday, October 12, 2023
7-8:30 p.m.
Avenir Museum Classroom 157
Sarah Silvas-Bernstein, curator of the current exhibition Kindred Keepsakes: Honoring the Heirlooms and Heritage of James Galanos, is a Design and Merchandising graduate student as well as an educator, entrepreneur, and vintage dress enthusiast. Her work and research is rooted in the historic and socio-cultural and political aspects of dress.
Join Silvas-Bernstein for a discussion with the relatives of fashion designer James Galanos (1924-2016) to explore treasured objects steeped in memories from their family. Bring one garment, textile, or photograph of your own that tells a story of family heirlooms or heritage for an evening of show-and-tell-style sharing.
James Galanos was as an American dressmaker whose quality and construction rivaled that of European couturiers. He styled starlets such as Marilyn Monroe, socialites including Betsy Bloomingdale, and First Lady Nancy Reagan. Yet, Galanos fostered a lifelong commitment to remain near to those he held dear… his family.
