The museum of Konnevesi and the renewed Gallery Käpy collaborate to create new insights. The exhibition features skillfully made local clothes and accessories, which inspire both today’s craftspeople and travelers. At the same time, the museum’s collection work is being made visible.
The exhibition “From the Chests” presents the local clothing history from the turn of the century to the 1950s. A cozy selection from the museum’s extensive photo collection is on display in the café. Charming accessories were found in the collection, the oldest of which is a patterned crocheted red and black belt. Men’s and women’s underwear has been widely used, patched, and repaired. Of course, in Konnevesi, people also dressed in fashionable party and wedding attire, investing in them down to the shoes. An expert archaeologist went through the textile collection in the summer of 2024. These findings inspired the implementation of the exhibition in the gallery, so that the skills and cultural heritage of the local area could be publicly visible.
Skilled clothing was made in Konnevesi
Beautiful textiles from the previous centuries have been valued, collected, preserved, and recorded in Konnevesi. The collections contain hundreds of old fabric accessories, clothes, linens, and footwear. The experts have been family craftsmen from generation to generation. Professionally trained tailors, tailors, and shoemakers have been found in the local or neighboring village.
Special attention was paid to holiday clothes, and the people were seen in their best at the church hill. Workwear was also homemade, practical, and durable. Fabrics were woven from flax grown and processed on their own. Yarns spun from sheep’s wool were used to knit warm outerwear, hats, socks, and gloves. Leathers were also processed. Durable everyday clothes were produced locally. Tips and instructions were obtained from newspapers, sewing circles, and courses.
Valuable collection of traditions has been done voluntarily with heart, and its educational significance is immeasurable. For the museum staff, cataloging and archiving has become an inspiring hobby. In Konnevesi, people have always known how to do it themselves, and that cultural heritage is wanted to be nurtured.
Gallery Käpy has been promoting the availability of art and crafts for almost thirty years in its traditional little house, which has historically served as a municipal office, post office, library, and craft advisory station. The house continues a diverse program of art, crafts, and cultural heritage.
Program
June 12 at 6 pm Opening: Eila Tiainen and Kati Laine-Rissanen
June 28 at 3 pm The museum’s collection work:
Jouko Leskinen and the museum staff
July 12 at 3 pm Researcher’s speech on the collection:
archaeologist Saara Tuovinen
July 17 at 3 pm Examples and challenges of textile conservation:
Anni Tuominen, Craft Museum of Finland
July 20 at 3 pm Sewing circles, women’s crafts and charity, reminiscing
August 9 at 3 pm Reminiscing about clothing and celebrations, Church scarves and dress codes since the 1920s
August 16 at 3 pm Closing, airing of aprons and announcement of the handicraft competition
Exhibition team leaders
Hanne Laitinen, Gallery Käpy
Jouko Leskinen, Konnevesi local history association
Anna-Maija Keurulainen, Gallery Käpy
Expert assistance has been obtained from the Craft Museum of Finland, the Central Finland Museum, and archaeologist Saara Tuovinen. The exhibition has received a cost grant from the Central Finland Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Laatikainen Fund.
Tapahtuman järjestäjä:
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Nimi
Galleria Käpy
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Sähköpostiosoite
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Puhelinnumero
+358407009178
Vieraile tapahtuman järjestäjän verkkosivuilla.
