Introduction and Acknowledgments
It is not uncommon for the development of new technology to be accompanied by a
resulting burst of creativity from artists who take advantage of this opportunity to
develop new ideas. This is certainly the case here, where the development of new
manufacturing processes at the turn of the nineteenth century enabled local weavers to
design and make exciting bed covers for their Hudson Valley customers.
Those of us who live in the Hudson Valley are blessed to have many resources within
easy reach. In this case, the museum had only to reach across town to Historic Huguenot
Street, where those coverlets had been housed for many years awaiting their museum
debut. We are grateful to the families and the caretakers of Historic Huguenot Street
who have preserved these coverlets for our enjoyment and study for many years after
they were first made.
This exhibition was developed jointly by the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art in
partnership with Historic Huguenot Street. The partnership is an exemplary one, thanks
to the efforts of the following key individuals:
Historic Huguenot Street: Christina Bark, Executive Director; Leslie LeFevre-Stratton,
Curator of Collections; Richard Heyl de Ortiz, Director of Marketing, Development and
Visitation; Ashley Hurlburt, Curatorial Assistant; and Eric Roth, Former Executive
Director.
Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art: Wayne Lempka, Collections Manager/Registrar; Amy
Pickering, Visitors Services Coordinator; Bob Wagner, Preparator; Brian Wallace,
Curator; and Carrie Wardle, Graduate Assistant.
S. Rabbit Goody: consulting textile historian and weaver.
Other individuals who provided important expertise include Mary Kastner, Director, Design and
Printing Services, SUNY New Paltz; Ed Felton, Wood Studio Instructor, SUNY New Paltz; Ward
Mintz, Executive Director, The Coby Foundation; Gilbert Plantinga, photographer; Dylan
McManus, artist and photographer’s assistant; and Jessica Kimmel, Dorsky Museum intern.
