Arts & Culture

UWF Historic Trust opens “Apron Strings” exhibit Nov. 10

The University of West Florida Historic Trust will host “Apron Strings: Ties to the Past,” from Nov. 10, 2015 through Jan. 8, 2016, at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum. The exhibit reevaluates the apron’s varying roles over time in an artistic and cultural manner and chronicles changing attitudes toward women and domestic work while showcasing the wide range of design and craft techniques apron-makers have used to express themselves.

The traveling exhibit – toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance – features 51 vintage and contemporary examples, dating from the late 1930s through the present, that review the apron’s role as an emotionally charged vehicle for expression with a rich and varied craft history that is still viable today. “Apron Strings” is organized into several thematic groups addressing design, historical context, use and cultural message.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Trust will host “My Apron Strings,” a free family reading and art program, at the Pensacola Children’s Museum, located at 115 E. Zaragoza St. in Historic Pensacola, on Nov. 14, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. “Grandma Jenkins” will read Eric Carle’s “My Apron” to the children before they decorate their own aprons and are led to the “Apron Strings” exhibit to participate in a scavenger hunt. The family reading and art program is limited to a maximum of 25 children. Participants must be five years of age or older. RSVPs are required and can be sent to Jim McMillen at jmcmillen@uwf.edu. No large groups please.

“Apron Strings: Ties to the Past” will be on exhibit at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum, located at 330 S. Jefferson St. in Historic Pensacola. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.