Groundbreaking Set for Textile Arts Center

MELBOURNE, FLA.—The public is invited to attend the much-anticipated start of construction on Florida Tech’s Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts— groundbreaking ceremonies on April 25 at 1 p.m. The center, the only textiles museum in the state of Florida, will be situated adjacent to Evans Library in the heart of campus. It is expected to open in 2009.

Ruth Funk, artist, teacher, collector and philanthropist, has supported textile arts exhibits, symposia and curriculum on campus since 2004. It was her $1.25 million gift that provided the impetus to make the museum a reality.

The two-story center will feature 3,000 square feet of exhibition space, 2,500 square feet of storage and work space, 700 square feet for a mezzanine library and 600 square feet for a lobby and grand stairway. Holeman Suman Architects Inc. of Melbourne designed the center.

The center’s mission is to preserve and display an international collection of textiles through rotating public exhibitions and educational programs. Highlighting the collection are traditional handmade textiles, embroidery, garments and related accessories from many nations; European and North American embroidery, lace and samplers from the 17th through 20th centuries; and contemporary wearable art.

For more information about the center and groundbreaking, contact Carla Funk at (321) 674-6129, cfunk@fit.edu.