Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts Weaves UncommonThreads: Exotic Luxuries, Feb. 23-24

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology and the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts present its annual textiles symposium, Uncommon Threads: Exotic Luxuries.

As part of the symposium, Marilyn Garrow, antique textiles dealer and owner of Marilyn Garrow Fine Textile Art, London, will present a free lecture, “The Threads of Civilization,” on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. in the Gleason Performing Arts Center on campus.

Garrow, who has dealt in antique textiles since 1978, specializes in magnificent embroideries both from Europe and the Orient in her company.

In 1983 she commenced operating a concession for Oriental textiles at Liberty’s, Regent Street, London, specializing particularly in Chinese robes and Oriental embroideries. Reading, studying and dealing extensively, she expanded her knowledge to cover hand-woven, printed and embroidered textiles from all parts of the world.

In 1989 she opened the Marilyn Garrow Gallery in Barnes, London, where she staged many exhibitions most notably The Hat exhibition, which was televised for the BBC’s The Clothes Show.

Called upon to create a backbone for many important collections, Garrow has traveled extensively and exhibited textiles in both North America and Europe. She is widely regarded as a world expert in antique textiles and one of the foremost dealers in her field.
Reservations are not required for the Feb. 23 lecture and free parking is available.
On Friday, Feb. 24, guests can enjoy another presentation at 10:30 a.m. by Garrow, “The Love of Textiles,” followed by a champagne reception, three-course luncheon and silent auction. The honorary chair of this event is Elizabeth “Jonnie” Swann. Tickets, with limited availability, are $60 each.
For more information, contact the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts at (321)674‐8313 or visit http://411.fit.edu/threads.