With the advent of hot weather, Pittsburgh Steeler Training Camp is not all that far away! The Giant Terrible Towel
will return to the McCarl Gallery, so be sure to stop by and have your photo taken with it!

The Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery

Welcome to the McCarl Gallery, part of the Saint Vincent campus in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The gallery, featuring the McCarl Coverlet Collection, is located on the lower floor of the Fred Rogers Center.

The McCarl Coverlet collection is comprised of over 400 “figured and fancy” jacquard woven bed weavings. Most of the coverlets in the McCarl collection originated in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Maryland. The McCarl Gallery also houses several coverlets from Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, and Tennesse. The bulk of the collection dates from 1820-1860.

Please visit frequently for news on the gallery, programs, photos, and more.   

The Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery presents
American Architecture in Coverlet Design
January 23 to June 30

Woven into the fabric of many of the 19th century coverlets in the McCarl Collection are images of homes, churches, taverns, factories, state buildings, cityscapes and rural landscapes.

The most popular architectural style during the colonial years and through the early 19th century was consistently the Georgian or Federalist style, reflecting the colonies English heritage, Greek Revival architecture grew popular during the years of the Early Republic, as a hearkening to Greek Democracy (and correspondingly a rejection of English style) seemed fitting for the new nation.By the 1840s, however, architectural tastes had diversified, as highlighted in Andrew Jackson Downing’s Cottage Residences, published in 1842,Throughout the cities and countryside, a traveler could find Greek classicism, Gothic Revivalism, Italianate cottages, and Swiss chalets, as well as exotic examples based on Egyptian and Oriental architecture.”

Visitors will see nods to each of these in the coverlets on display, The most common architectural style depicted in these coverlets, however, is the Georgian style, perhaps demonstrating the weavers’ nostalgia for an earlier time, a pride in a particular heritage or national roots, or simply the popularity of the design in American buildings. This exhibit highlights architectural designs woven into 19th century coverlets. Visitors will find images of monumental structures that remain today, such as the United States Capitol building, as well as buildings for the common people: taverns, factories, churches and humble homes. Busy urban cityscapes with eastern flair are included as well as rural homesteads with simple cabins and meetinghouses.”

The exhibit was curated by Michelle Mock who received her doctorate in history from Carnegie Mellon University in 2011, where she has taught courses on women’s history and American consumer culture. Her book manuscript is on the modernization of the American home kitchen in the 20th century.

The Quilts of Theresa Kristof Prah
July 10 to November 1, 2013
Opening reception July 10 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Theresa Kristof Prah (Terry to her friends) started quilting in the late 1970′s, after sending her youngest child to college. Since that time she has created hundreds of quilts – fueling her passion for creating new quilt designs using traditional techniques.

Many of her quilts more closely resemble original works of art, some of which have been recognized in local quilt shows. Her awards include Best of Show and Best Use of Color. She is known for her fine hand quilting, willingness to disregard a pattern when inspiration strikes, fantastic use of color, and consistently prodigious output. She delights in incorporating cast-off materials into her quilts – anything from old ties to fine fabrics – giving them new life in her designs.

Terry’s children and grandchildren remain her biggest fans. Each family proudly displays a few favorite quilts in their home. In fact, her quilts are so popular amongst her family that she has had ‘quilt naming contests’: the winner gets the coveted prize, the newly christened quilt. Terry continues to pursue her greatest passion, and is an inspiration to her family and friends.

 

 Our students have created a blog about various aspects of the Coverlet Gallery. Check it out!