Fullerton Center Reopens With Needlework Exhibit

The Fullerton Museum Center reopens today after being closed two years for major renovation. The Spanish Colonial Revival building, which was built in 1907 with Carnegie funds and served as the city’s library until 1974, now has new gallery space, classrooms and workshops.

For its opening exhibit, the center is featuring a collection of both modern and historic needlework, plus numerous antique needleworking tools, including thimbles and scissors. This extensive display has been assembled by the Embroiderers Guild of America and features the works of leading artists who create, in stitchery, landscapes, street scenes, floral designs, geometric patterns, animals and other objects.

The origins of embroidery called needlepoint are unknown. Archeologists found remnants of it in an Egyptian tomb, and the Chinese were creating examples nearly eight centuries ago. The first settlers in America brought 16th-Century needlepoint to the colonies. It is recorded that Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603) and the ladies of her court developed a wide range of needlepoint, working on tapestries and curtains, covering chairs with designs and stitching pictures.

Wide Variety of Exhibitions

“Throughout the year, visitors will be able to enjoy a wide variety of special exhibitions in science, history and art,” museum director Joe Felz said. “These will include traveling exhibitions from other museums, original shows created here and exhibits of the museum’s permanent collection of historical costumes and textiles.”

The museum houses a fine permanent collection of historic costumes and textiles from 1830 to the present. Many of the items were once worn by early residents, dating back to an era when oil and oranges were the mainstay of the city’s economy. Also on view is an exhibit, “Future Image,” that explores the science and technology of three-dimensional laser art holography.

The Embroiderers Guild of America exhibit closes May 8. On May 27, a traveling Smithsonian exhibition entitled “Community Industries of the Shakers” will open. Included will be rockers, baskets, architectural drawings, sewing implements, brooms, tools and other objects that depict the Shaker dedication to hard work and the principles of perfection in the workplace.

The museum is operated by the city of Fullerton and the Fullerton Museum Center Assn., a nonprofit organization. Hours are Tuesday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $2 for adults; seniors and students $1; children 12 and younger are free. Information: (714) 738-6545.

The museum is 20 miles from the Los Angeles City Hall. From Los Angeles, take the Santa Ana Freeway south; then the Riverside Freeway east 2 miles to Harbor Boulevard-Fullerton exit. Turn right on Harbor and go through downtown Fullerton to Wilshire Avenue; turn right and go one block to Pomona Avenue. The museum is at 301 N. Pomona Ave. Ample free parking.