In 2023, PHS was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to digitize 22,500 photographs and supporting documents from the Religious News Service Photograph Collection. Work began during the summer months of 2023, and will continue through December 2025. Learn more about the project.
“Handicraft” is art that is created using only one’s hands and simple tools; this art is typically both functional and decorative. It may come as a shock to some that these arts--which were originally intended to serve only one purpose--have accomplished an additional function: creating communities. There are many different types of handicraft, but some that have appeared in images throughout the Religious News Service collection specifically relate to fiber arts. Fiber arts refers to art that is created using yarn or different fabrics; some examples which are present in the collection include crocheting, knitting, sewing, and needlepoint. Many people who partake in this artwork use their skills to give back to the community.
Women sew 10 years for church fund, 1955. [islandora:407958]
An example of this is when a group of women in Vallvik, Sweden, came together and dedicated their talents and time (Ten years! An entire decade!) to create items that could be sold in order to raise money to build a church in their community. As seen in the photograph, this work was done in part in a shared space with other fiber artists.
Swedish town gets first church, 1955. [islandora:407957]
The women were successful in their efforts as the church was eventually built in their quaint Swedish town for $20,000. This money in 1955 translated to today’s currency would be a little over $200,000. The love these women had for creating art together also helped create a tangible, physical community for worship.
Protestant groups unite to serve community, 1946. [islandora:358984]
In addition to fundraising efforts, many communities utilize fiber arts to create items to be donated to those in need. In this example, a group of young girls work together to create baby bibs. They are working as part of a handicraft class, bolstering their ability to give back to the community and create beautiful pieces of art.
Donating items with practical uses to those in need is a common theme within these community spaces. Creating this work can also help strengthen relationships between individuals.
Torah cover made by Catholic nuns, 1946. [islandora:360316]
In this example, Rabbi Mayer H. Marx displays a Torah cover that was embroidered by Catholic nuns from Hankow, China. This art is a replica of work that the nuns had previously gifted to the Jewish community from the same area. This gift illustrates the cooperation that can exist amongst different religions and denominations.
While oftentimes fiber arts are created with a certain practical function in mind, sometimes this process simply results in beautiful artwork that is intended to be displayed.
Church gets crocheted picture of Last Supper, 1955. [islandora:407983]
This is an example of an instance in which the artwork that was created did not have a specific function. Lilly Mae Meadows spent four months crocheting a facsimile of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. She gifted her art to the Ruth Ensor Memorial Methodist Church to show her appreciation for her religious community. She used her love and mastery of the craft to create a donation that could be enjoyed by the entire congregation.
While work like this might seem completely unique, one would be perplexed to find that there is yet another image in the collection of a woman with her own rendition of a crocheted replica of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Woman crochets religious scenes, 1955. [islandora:407909]
It appears that Josephine Petrone used a very similar (if not exact) pattern to the Last Supper scene as Lilly Mae Meadows...except for the fact that Ms. Petrone was known to not use patterns and instead rely on her skill and intuitive design. The main difference, by just glancing between the two interpretations, is that Lilly Mae Meadows’ piece is larger--at a whopping three and one-half feet by six feet!
Josephine enjoys creating artwork featuring other Christian symbols, including Our Lady of Fatima, which she is seen holding in this image. In addition to her crochet work, she gives back to the community with her talents by creating altar clothes and laces in her diocese and beyond.
Needling rector, 1975. [islandora:371671]
These arts are often done in community spaces, but that does not mean that only one group of people participate in this recreation. While fiber arts are oftentimes viewed as more “feminine” hobbies, many men also participate in these crafts.
Edward Chandler, rector of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was inspired by women in his community and their ability to break from stereotypically feminine roles. He decided to take up needlepoint, and even placed in a show where he entered his work! The love of this work creates connections that had not previously existed because of society's influence over what is seen as feminine versus masculine.
It is clear that this form of art is not only beautiful, but is also enriched by communities. People create this artwork with one another for the love of crafting, and oftentimes as a means to create items that can be given back to the community. It will be interesting to see what other creations will be discovered amongst the Religious News Service photographs, and their relation to the world at large.
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