Through the Needle’s Eye

EGA acknowledges the value of needlework in art and history. Our National Exhibit is a representative selection of the best in members’ artistic and technical works. It is through the needle’s eye that EGA embraces both traditional and contemporary needlework while expanding the perception of embroidery as an art form. Through the Needle’s Eye displays members’ original or adaptation needlework.

Original is defined as needlework from the beginning is solely the creative product of the stitcher. An Adaptation is needlework inspired by or based upon a source other than needlework and modified through significant change. Source(s) are to be documented.

See all the requirements and register on the link below.

We are asking members to design embroideries that reflect and celebrate the diversity of their own cultural journey and, in their artistic statement, describe how the work relates to that journey.

Does its story include your ethnicity, geographic location, cultural values, ideas, or variety of stitches? Celebrate your heritage from the past to the present. What is your personal journey? Did your Norwegian ancestors excel in traditional hardanger white starched linens that you have brought to contemporary levels with soft hardanger earrings in color?

Or have you taken an idea from the not so distant past and transformed it to the not so far away embroidery as Carol Lynn Stratton says in her artist statement for Artists Dream in Color for the 21st Through the Needles’ Eye? “A friend’s brain scan was amazing! Scientists exploring the brain will soon be able to tell what we are thinking… dreaming and it will be stunningly beautiful.”

The artist statement will be used to help viewers of the exhibit further understand and appreciate your embroidery. Be a part of history!

Through The Needle’s Eye is a juried and judged exhibition, but what does that mean? The jury process determines which pieces will be accepted into the exhibit. For Through the Needle’s Eye, this includes making sure the submissions meet the defined requirements: has been created since September of 2016, is an Original design or an Adaptation (as defined by EGA), is designed and stitched by an EGA member (join us!), is submitted with the Artist Statement reflecting your personal celebration of heritage, has clear photographic images, is submitted within the allotted timeframe, is not a teaching piece, and has not been accepted into a previous national exhibit.

The judging process will be conducted by 3 certified needlework judges independently reviewing the photographic images you submit. The judges for the 22nd Exhibit are: Beth Carlson, Patricia Tector and Charline Wells. The scores will be tallied and reviewed by all the judges. Awards will be determined. The Diana Grossman Memorial Award and the Virginia Miller Contemporary Needlework Award are 2 awards offered by EGA for the Through the Needle’s Eye exhibit:

Diana Grossman Memorial Award: Given to an EGA member whose original work juried into the Through the Needle’s Eye exhibit best exemplifies excellence in design and needlework.

Virginia Miller Contemporary Needlework Award: Given to an EGA member whose original work juried into the Through the Needle’s Eye exhibit is judged to best display an innovative theme, materials, and method of working and promotes new and exciting uses of materials and embroidery techniques.

There will also be a Juror’s Choice award from each judge and recognition of a piece from each Region.

A sample of the judges score card can be seen here.

EGA Definitions

Original is defined as needlework that from the beginning is solely the creative product of the stitcher. An Adaptation is needlework inspired by a source other than needlework and modified through significant change. Source(s) are to be documented.

The stitcher may use an image other than one’s own, but it will need to be significantly modified to be considered an adaptation. A simply embellished photograph that was taken by another person is not an adaptation. An exact replica of another piece of needlework is not considered an original or adaptation, even though the stitcher uses different threads or size of ground fabric. The design must be significantly changed to be considered an adaptation. This same criteria applies to needlework no matter how old the source is.

Submissions to Through the Needle’s Eye is a 3 step process.

Register: 9/1/2021-12/31/22. This will acknowledge your commitment by identifying the numbers of pieces that you plan to submit. Pay a non refundable registration fee that will be applied to the first entry when submitting. The form is available here.

Submit: 4/1/23-4/15/23. Submit an online form, artist statement (required) related to your cultural journey regarding each piece entered, digital photos of each piece for jurying and judging, payment for each piece.

Ship: 6/15/23-6/30/23. Ship pieces to EGA Headquarters for photography and display.

Have you ever tried to take a photograph of your needlework, only to have shadows or glare ruin your shot? Even if you are not a professional photographer, there are a few easy tips that can help you take great photos using your cell phone or other camera. Read the article.

What is Through the Needle’s Eye? You’ve seen the logo, you’ve heard the initials (TNE), but what does it mean? The first EGA National Exhibit, held in New York City in 1962 just 3 years after EGA was incorporated, displayed a variety of pieces and offered demonstrations of embroidery techniques. The first eight National Exhibits were biennial events. From 1978 to 1995, five more exhibits were held. Starting with the 14th National Exhibit In 1995, these shows became travelling rather than stationary, and the name was changed to Through the Needle’s Eye (TNE). To date, EGA National has held 21 exhibits of work by its members. The 22nd Through the Needle’s Eye exhibit, which will open in the Fall of 2023, will showcase original works by EGA members or their original adaptations of other works. For the first time, this exhibit will be available virtually as well as in person. Please click here for more information about how you can enter your work.

Download the exhibit announcement on the link below and let others know about Through the Needle’s Eye!

If you have questions, please contact Melinda Rolfe at tne@egausa.org.