Celebration of Youth Day

28 Sep 2017    

The annual exhibition “Celebration of Youth XXIV” continues through September 30^th at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery.  As with all twenty-three preceding iterations of the exhibition, this one showcases the work of youth from around the state, who competed at the Nebraska State Fair in the 4-H areas of Clothing, Home Environment, and Quilt Quest. Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design faculty members Mary Alice Casto, Michael James, Jennifer Jorgensen and Surin Kim served as jurors for these categories at the State Fair location in Grand Island.

On Saturday September 30 the exhibitors and their families will participate in a special “Celebration of Youth Day” in TMFD, touring the department and the International Quilt Study Center & Museum, meeting and working with department faculty in mini-workshops and joining in a public reception in their honor that will take place in Room 11 of the Human Sciences Building on UNL’s east campus, beginning at 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend this event free of charge. During the reception each 4-H student whose work was chosen for the Hillestad exhibition will speak briefly about the selected work and its inspiration and execution.

Left:  Jane Schuchardt with the quilt made in her honor by Dr. Michelle Rodgers of the University of Delaware Extension. 

Right:  Dr. Michelle Rodgers (left) and Dr. Jane Schuchardt display the quilt made to honor Dr. Schuchardt’s six years of service as Executive Director for the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, the representative leadership and governing body for Cooperative Extension nationwide. The quilt will be displayed in the Great Hall of the International Quilt Study Center & Museum on Saturday, September 30.

In Nebraska, one in three age-eligible youth across all 93 counties is enrolled in 4-H, for a total enrollment reaching approximately 140,000 youth. These youth, ages 5-18, participate in 4-H through camps, clubs, school enrichment, and afterschool programs organized by Nebraska Extension.  The citizens of Nebraska help shape the 4-H Youth Development program priorities including but not limited to college and career readiness, community development, entrepreneurship, healthy living and leadership development. Nebraska 4-H educational programs like the Quilt Quest, Home Environment and Clothing curricula represented in this exhibition, place strong emphasis on key life skills including critical thinking, problem solving, social skills, communication, responsibility, citizenship, and leadership.

Dr. Michelle Rodgers (left) and Dr. Jane Schuchardt display the quilt made to honor Dr. Schuchardt’s six years of service as Executive Director for the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, the representative leadership and governing body for Cooperative Extension nationwide. The quilt will be displayed in the Great Hall of the International Quilt Study Center & Museum on Saturday, September 30.

The Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery is part of the Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design in the College of Education and Human Sciences.  Its mission is to educate and increase awareness of the rich traditions of art, craft, design and material culture expressed through the exhibition of all forms of textiles and apparel.

The gallery is located on the second floor of the Human Sciences Building on East Campus, on 35th Street north of East Campus Loop (map at http://go.unl.edu/j5v). Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment. Admission is free. Guest parking is available near the building and metered stalls are located in the Nebraska East Union lot. For more information, call (402) 472-2911 or visit http://textilegallery.unl.edu.