April Guest Speaker 2019

Sarah K Benning will be our guest speaker for April. Sarah K. Benning is an American fiber artist with a home base in Keene, New Hampshire. Originally from Baltimore, she attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received her BFA in Fiber and Material Studies.  Shortly after graduating in 2013, Sarah discovered her love for embroidery almost by accident and the hobby quickly turned into her full-time career. Sarah primarily works from home in New Hampshire, though embroidery workshops, markets, and exhibitions take her out on the road quite often.

Though Sarah’s formal training and background are in the fine arts, she is self-taught in the craft of embroidery.  She approaches each piece primarily as an illustration, often abandoning traditional stitches and techniques in favor of bold shapes, playful patterns, and contemporary subject matter.  Her emphasis on drawing, composition, and color choice keeps her work fresh and vibrant.

Sarah’s work is inspired by interior design trends, a love for Midcentury design, antique textiles, and her own potted plant collection.   Each piece begins as a drawing before being meticulously hand-stitched.  In this way, the thread become more like ink or paint than traditional embroidery, which accentuates the bold shapes, patterns, and color in the compositions.

Over the course of several years and lots of trial and error, Sarah has developed a very distinct embroidery style and aesthetic.  In addition to exhibiting and selling finished pieces, Sarah shares her love of embroidery through a monthly Pattern Program and occasionally teaches workshops and master classes all over the world.  Make sure to visit her website: https://sarahkbenning.com/

 

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