It was at those conventions and California Wheat Weavers Guild (California Straw Arts Guild’s former name) conventions where I was privileged to take classes from excellent wheat weaving teachers to continue to learn wheat weaving techniques and other important information from
seventy-one teachers, yes, I looked them all up in my workbooks I have kept!  It is all of them who made it possible for me to learn the physical movements to do the work I have done. Thanks to all who made that possible!

I have been asked what inspired me to do that particular design we have been talking about.  I have always loved natural flowers and have done lots of flower arranging.  I have made many wreaths decorated with pods and cones. I have made many arrangements of straw flowers, so I used the wreath form and made realistic and mostly fanciful flowers for “Straw Flower Wreath Jubilee”.

I have always been grateful to God for giving me the gift of enjoyment of flowers, the ability to do and enjoy straw work, and to be with the many great persons related to it.  Thank you! ❧

 

Donna Hall’s
“Straw Flower Wreath Jubilee”
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Renwick Gallery
By Linda Downs, CSAG President

(Note: This article originally appeared in the July 2024 issue of Straw Talk.)

 

On June 8, the California Straw Arts Guild (CSAG) hosted a combined NAWW/CSAG virtual meeting to make an important announcement to our members worldwide. We had quite a turnout!
Let me start by giving you a little background information. Two years ago, in June 2022, Carol Thompson, our CSAG treasurer, received an email from someone she didn’t recognize. Carol forwarded the email to me as I am the CSAG president. She asked me what I thought of the email. Was it legitimate? The email in question came from Mary Savig, curator for the Smithsonian Institution’s Renwick Gallery, which is a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum located in Washington, D.C., a few steps from the White House. After a bit of research, I decided that this email was indeed the real deal and Ms Savig was a curator with this museum.

As described on their website, “The Smithsonian American Art
Museum, the nation’s first collection of American art, is an unparalleled record of the American experience. The collection captures the
aspirations, character, and imagination of the American people
throughout three centuries. The museum is the home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world. Its artworks reveal key aspects of America’s rich artistic and cultural history from the colonial period to today.”

In her email, Ms. Savig stated that she and a co-worker, Nora Atkinson, were planning a trip to the 2022 California State Fair in Sacramento, CA. They were interested in the Straw Arts Division of the fair and just wanted to let us know they would be in town during the state fair’s run in July. I wrote back to Mary that Carol and I would love to meet them and give them a tour of the pieces that had been entered into the 2022 fair. The California State Fair attracts well over 600,000 attendees during its two-week run in July.
In July, Carol and I found ourselves near the entrance to the California Crafts exhibit hall at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds, waiting for Ms. Savig and Ms. Atkinson. We had no idea what they looked like! But when they walked in, we just knew it had to be them. They both had wide, beaming smiles from ear-to-ear like children walking into a candy store as their eyes darted from place-to-place trying to take in all the art that  surrounded us. Quilts, ceramics, wood carvings, jewelry, hand-made dolls, paper arts, and so much more. So many genres in one place. We all excitedly introduced ourselves.

We guided Mary and Nora around the exhibit hall as the straw art entries were not displayed altogether. We spent time talking about the history of straw art and the different techniques and tools that were used to create each piece whether it was marquetry, Swiss straw, spiraling, etc. They were in awe. They had never seen anything like this. They were familiar with simple straw decorations for Christmas trees but had no idea that straw could be this versatile and complex.

After spending quite a bit of time with them, I asked them what had enticed them to make the trip across the country to view this exhibit. Up until this point, we had not discussed the purpose of their trip. Mary stated that the Renwick Gallery was in the early planning stages for a 2026 exhibit of selected art from state fairs across the country. We were their first stop, of many state fairs on their itinerary to visit, to discover unique and outstanding examples of art forms to borrow and highlight in this exhibit. As they had been researching state fairs to visit, they came across the listing for straw arts at the California State Fair. Not knowing what this was, they made it their mission to find out. After spending about 1 ½ hours with them, we parted ways. They said they would be in touch.

The excitement didn’t end with our meeting. One of the straw art pieces that we had talked extensively about remained on their minds long after we parted. In short, a few months after our meeting, we were contacted by Mary once again. She stated that the gallery was interested in not just borrowing this piece for the exhibition. They wanted to ACQUIRE this outstanding piece to be a part of the Renwick Gallery’s permanent collection!

I am thrilled to announce that this beautiful, one-of-a-kind straw art entitled, “Straw Flower Wreath Jubilee” by Donna Hall of Merced, CA has been acquired by Renwick Gallery! This intricately detailed work of art is comprised of many different techniques and designs and is arranged so beautifully.
Originally, Donna had promised this wreath to her daughter, Gwen. Once Donna discussed with Gwen that the Smithsonian was interested in acquiring it, there was no doubt in either of their minds where it should reside.

 
Earlier this year, Renwick Gallery arranged to have it shipped to
Washington, D.C.  Donna had a friend build a wood box to safely ship it across the country. The gallery had a special crew of movers come to pick it up from her residence. Once it was delivered, the box was immediately stored away, without opening, for two months. This was to ensure that no insect infestations would unknowingly occur. When the box was finally opened, the piece had to go through a final review with the museum’s director to finalize its acceptance into the Renwick Gallery’s permanent collection. Those who were on hand to witness the “big reveal” were in total awe.

In May, just a little over a month before our special virtual announcement, it became official. Donna’s wreath was officially approved for
acquisition! We are so excited and proud to have this honor bestowed upon Donna.

If you would like to see this exquisite artwork for yourself, it will be on display starting next year, at the gallery! (Note that the time frame for the show has been moved up from 2026 to 2025.)Time to start planning your vacation to D.C.! The exhibition is tentatively entitled, “State Fairs and American Crafts” at the Renwick Gallery. The dates are August 22, 2025, through August 23, 2026. An entire year! They are expecting more than one million visitors to the Renwick Gallery during our nation’s 250th anniversary! Donna’s wreath will be the only example of wheat weaving in this exhibition and will be among other exquisite and unique state fair art! Way to go, Donna!

For those of you who are wondering, once the exhibit is completed, Donna’s wreath will be stored by the gallery and possibly be put on exhibit periodically. Natural fibers, such as straw, cannot be placed on permanent display due to the breaking down of the fibers due to environmental factors. It will be stored properly to arrest any deterioration. But Donna’s wreath will still be available to the public as it will eventually be viewable on the SAAM (Smithsonian American Art Museum) website.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor and accomplishment, Donna! We are so very proud of you! ❧