Nearly 400 embroideries and laces are shown at the exhibition. A whole lot, and yet it is only a small part of the achievements of the members of LUD-Art Association at the Ethnographic Museum in Kraków which is celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of its establishment this year.

Over that period of time, over a hundred people have been formal members of the Association. However, many more have revolved around its orbit - as participants in workshops and exhibitions, sympathizers, friends. LUD-Art is a stable and dynamic community. It is kept together not only by their love for handicrafts, but also by the strength of relationships built in the course of weekly meetings, workshops and exhibitions organized together - moments spent with friends. This is also what the exhibition is about.

The exhibition traces back the history of the Association which has been closely connected with the Museum from the very start. First of all, through the person of the first chair, Urszula Janicka-Krzywda, MEK curator at the time of its establishment. It was she who initiated embroidery workshops based on patterns from the ethnographic collection and instilled in her students a love for folk embroidery - forever. Halina Dulemba, a long-time leader of the organization, a master of embroidery fascinated by the richness of meanings of ornaments embroidered on fabrics, is also very much present in the reminiscences of the members of the Association.

The exhibition includes several items from the Museum's collection selected as examples of the first inspirations for the members of the Association, as well as their own works which now form part of MEK collection. It also presents work tools of embroiderers and lacemakers, revealing the scale of knowledge, precision and patience necessary to practice the hobby.

The countless intricate stitches and thread combinations shown here make one’s head spin. The infinite world of colours, patterns, forms and formats proves not only the craftsmanship of the authors, but also their unbridled imagination. Good heavens!

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LUD-Art Association of Aficionados of Traditional Folk and Artistic Handicraft at the Ethnographic Museum in Kraków
It all started with embroidery workshops organized at the Museum by the Kraków Branch of the Polish Ethnological Society. After a year of courses, lectures and demonstrations, in May 1993 the Embroidery Club was established, and in 2005 it transformed into the Association.
Members of the Association learn the secrets of embroidery and lace-making together. They share their knowledge and experience. In search of traditional patterns, they visit museums and archives. They learn from one another and improve their skills at handicraft master classes. They take part in exhibitions and educational schemes all over the country. They cooperate with organizations from other parts of Poland, as well as from abroad (the UK, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the International Association OIDFA).
LUD-Art Association meetings take place at the Ethnographic Museum in Kraków every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm from October to June. You can find out about upcoming events at lud-art.blogspot.com or fb/LudArtKrakow.