A nationally touring exhibit will make its first-ever Wisconsin stop next week at the Waupaca Area Public Library.
“Apron Chronicles: A Patchwork of American Recollections” will make a six-week-long stop at the Waupaca library from Nov. 10 to Dec. 27.
This will be the first appearance in the state for this exhibit, which has been touring since 2004.
In these 10 years, “Apron Chronicles” has received national attention in Time magazine, the New York Times and on CBS’s Sunday Morning and has made stops across the country.
Best-selling author EllynAnne Geisel created the exhibit after years of collecting vintage aprons.
She was struck by the stories these aprons held and the lives they touched.
“The exhibit is the culmination of a four-year apron journey of collecting aprons, listening to storytellers share memories prompted by an apron memory and interpreting the recollections as more about the human experience than just a piece of fabric,” said Geisel.
“Apron Chronicles” tells the emotional stories of 46 individuals, each of whom have unique memories of aprons and the people who wore them. Nearly 150 vintage aprons, along with portraits taken by award-winning photographer Kristina Loggia, bring these diverse stories to life.
“These aprons tell stories we all know or can identify with,” said Tracy Behrendt, exhibit room coordinator at the Waupaca Area Public Library. “We are so thrilled to be hosting this exhibit’s first stop in the state and to celebrate the people behind these aprons.”
The Waupaca Area Public Library will host an opening reception at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10. Refreshments and coffee will be served in the exhibit room.
The program will then continue with the Winchester Academy program, “The Fabric of Our Lives: Why Textiles Matter” with Beverly Gordon at 6:30 p.m in the lower-level meeting rooms.
The library will also host two other programs in conjunction with the exhibit.
On Saturday, Nov. 15, all are welcome to bring an old men’s shirt and make it into an apron at the library’s MakerSpace. Sewing machines and supplies will be provided.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, families may attend a baking-themed Family Night and make a child’s apron.
“Apron Chronicles” and all library programs are open to all ages and family-friendly.
The exhibit is open during library hours and is free to the public.
For more information, contact Behrendt at 715-258-4417.