Society for Embroidered Work

The Society for Embroidered Work (often abbreviated S.E.W) is a United Kingdom-based artistic society founded in 2018 by stitch-based artists Cat Frampton and Emily Tull. It was established after a conversation between the two founders about the inclusion — or lack thereof — of stitched and embroidered artworks in the art world. Both artists had encountered negative opinions that this category of work could only be seen as craft, but they agreed that while stitching is indeed a highly skilled craft, it can also be an art form. The Society's stated aim is to promote and support artists who have an element of stitching in their artworks, whether hand or machine, and whether traditional or contemporary forms of embroidery. The Society positions itself within a long tradition of medium-specific art societies in London and the wider UK art scene, such as the Royal Watercolour Society, the Fine Arts Society, the Pastels Society, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Society for Wildlife Art, and the Society for Women's Art. Its founders observed that while painters, draughtsmen, and marine artists could gain post-nominal letters through established societies, there was no equivalent society for stitched art. Becoming a member of the Society for Embroidered Work is presented as a way to show that an artist is of note in their field, and the Society argues that having such a body will lift all stitched art by association. The Society also frames its mission in the context of a long fight to have embroidery recognised as an art form, a fight its founders describe as having roots mired in misogyny and as still having a long way to go. The organisation maintains a website with sections for members, member events, exhibitions, opportunities, press, and contact information. It has held exhibitions, including one titled "Sew Rome," with gallery pages documenting works such as wall-hung pieces, a white room, and a main room sculpture. Membership is a core part of its offering, alongside member events and exhibition opportunities. As of the available evidence, the Society operates primarily in the United Kingdom and is powered by the website platform Weebly. It is an artistic society rather than a commercial manufacturer or retailer, and it does not appear to have a parent company or listed status. Its activities centre on advocacy, exhibitions, membership, and networking for textile and embroidery artists.

The Society for Embroidered Work was founded in 2018 by stitch-based artists Cat Frampton and Emily Tull. According to the Society's About page, the idea emerged after a conversation between the two founders about the inclusion — or lack of inclusion — of stitched and embroidered artworks in the art world. Both artists had experienced negative opinions that this category of work could only be seen as craft. They agreed that stitching is of course a highly skilled craft, but that it can also be an art form. This shared experience and conviction led them to create an organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting artists who have an element of stitching in their artworks, whether hand or machine, and whether traditional or contemporary forms of embroidery. The founders situated the new Society within the existing landscape of London art societies. They noted that the Royal Watercolour Society, the Fine Arts Society, the Pastels Society, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Society for Wildlife Art, and the Society for Women's Art all existed, but there was no society for stitched art. They observed that painters in oils with sufficient skill and a good artistic eye could apply to have post-nominal letters such as ROI after their name, and that brilliant drawings of boats and water could lead to membership of the Royal Society of Marine Artists. Becoming a member of the Society of Embroidered Work, they argued, would show the world that an artist is of note in their field, and having a society would lift all stitched art by association, as long as the Society is pushed forward in the right way. The Society also connects its mission to a longer historical struggle to have embroidery recognised as an art form. Its About page states that this fight has been a long one with roots mired in misogyny and that it still has a long way to go. Having a society dedicated to the best in stitched art is described as one step in the right direction. Since its founding, the Society has maintained a website with sections for Home, About, Members, Member Events, Exhibitions, Opportunities, Contact, and Press. It has organised exhibitions, including one documented under the title "Sew Rome," with gallery pages showing wall-hung work in a main room, a white room, and a main room sculpture. Membership is a central part of its activities, alongside member events and opportunities. The website is powered by Weebly. The available evidence does not indicate any parent company, commercial ownership, or listing status; the Society presents itself as an artistic society rather than a commercial enterprise.

• 2018

  Society for Embroidered Work founded by Cat Frampton and Emily Tull.

• Exhibition titled "Sew Rome" documented on the Society's website.

A medium-specific artistic society advocating for embroidery and stitched art as legitimate art forms, offering membership, exhibitions, and networking for stitch-based artists.

• Membership

  Membership of the Society for Embroidered Work, presented as recognition for artists working with stitch.

• Exhibitions

  Organised exhibitions of stitched and embroidered artwork, including "Sew Rome".

• Member events

  Events for members listed on the Society's website.

• Opportunities

  Opportunities section on the Society's website for artists.

1. 1SOCIETY FOR EMBROIDERED WORK - Homesocietyforembroideredwork.com
2. 2About - SOCIETY FOR EMBROIDERED WORKsocietyforembroideredwork.com
3. 3Society for Embroidered Work - Wikidatawikidata.org