Textiles in electronic retail age featured at Hillestad Feb. 27-March 30

            "I-make/U-buy: Textiles in the Electronic Retail Age," a new exhibition of original work developed for online sales, will be on display from Feb. 27 through March 30 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery.

            The exhibition features artists Anne Burton, Audio Helkuik, Amy Morin Quinn, Mary Pattavina, Eulanda Sanders and Rachel Suntop, all of whom work with on-line sales to market original work that has a textile base, is of high quality and occupies a unique market niche. Each is an alumna or faculty member of the UNL Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design. On-line retailers such as Etsy, 1000 Markets and ArtFire are specializing in quality, handmade goods and allow many artists to produce an income stream from their businesses through digital merchandising.

            This exhibition shows a diverse grouping of work from dog sweaters and oversized rabbits to personal adornments and fashion wear. Helkuik will exhibit a new genre of clothing that blends casual wear with theatrical inspirations, encompassing grit and glamour in her striking designs. Pattavina of Pretty Good Things shows sculptural hats, fascinators and hair do-dads, influenced by current trends and pop culture. Quinn of Plaiderpillar sews giant rabbits, playful birds and stuffed baby blocks. Sanders and her company, Yo-San Studio, provide a diverse seasonal collection of artistry scarves and apparel that spark attitude. Suntop showcases her bulky, hand-spun, repurposed yarns from her Coolclimates Etsy store. Burton of Beantown Handmade creates colorful and fanciful handmade sweaters and accessories for dogs and cats.

            In addition to the exhibition, an electronic retail seminar program is slated for March 1 on UNL's East Campus. The morning program is 10-11:15 and is at the Nebraska East Union, Arbor and Center drives. The afternoon programs begin at 2:45 and are in the Home Economics Building, 35th Street north of East Campus Loop. The public is invited to attend at no charge and no registration is required. The schedule of programs is as follows:

            Electronic Retail and Intellectual Property, Nebraska East Union, 10-11:15 a.m. Turan Odabasi, associate general counsel for the University of Nebraska, guest panelist with Burton and Quinn.

            The Printed Bolt/Behind the Scenes, Room 11, Home Economics Building, 2:45-3:45 p.m. Madeleine Roberg and Ellen Rushman from The Printed Bolt will discuss the generation of this interactive design site.

            Starting your On-line Business: From Practical Considerations to Elegant Solutions, Room 11 Home Economics Building, 4-5:15 p.m. Panel featuring Burton, Pattavina, Quinn and Sanders.

            The Friends of the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery will host a reception in the gallery from 5:30 to 7 p.m., following the third panel discussion. The UNL Faculty Senate Convocations Committee has provided funding for this program.

            The Hillestad Gallery is part of the Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design in the UNL College of Education and Human Sciences. The gallery is on the second floor of the Home Economics Building on East Campus, on 35th Street north of East Campus Loop. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment. Admission is free. For more information, call 402-472-6370 or visit http://textilegallery.unl.edu.

Writer: Wendy Weiss