Bask in the glow

Weekend trip to see a breath-taking embroidery exhibition in Virginia

After learning about Michelle Kingdom’s work from an artist talk my wife does, we saw she had some work in a show at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.

We knew we had to see The Never-Ending Thread. An Embroidery Exhibition. Photos do not do it justice (says the man sharing photos). The storytelling and the stitch work are equally transcendent. This piece has remained with me since I saw a photo of it weeks ago.

Getting to experience it in person, in a dead quiet gallery with just my wife and I, was more than I could have hoped for.

All photos of Michelle Kingdom’s Willful Rhymes, 2023, Square on vintage textile

A framed textile artwork depicting illustrated people with a central colorful group, displayed on a gallery wall.

Embroidered figures walking among leaf patterns; a building with people in the background. The scene is depicted in a mix of color and grayscale stitchwork on fabric.

Embroidered figures engage in varied activities against a backdrop of more figures and foliage, suggesting a community scene on fabric.

Embroidered figures on fabric, with repeating pattern of women against a floral backdrop, displayed partially over a black background, suggesting depth and texture.

Embroidered figures walk among trees and fallen leaves, set against detailed foliage with sketched faces along the bottom.