Beautiful embroidery on display at Luseland's Art Gallery

By Joan Janzen

LUSELAND—The Luseland Library Art Gallery is currently showcasing beautiful embroidery and needlecraft artwork created by members of Luseland's Embroidery Guild and local artists. Prairie Sunset Embroiderers' Guild paved the way for the Artistic Endeavours Craft Club, which continues to meet twice a month at the United Church in Luseland.

Joyce Gottfried and her daughter Elaine Gottfried are two of the crafting group's six members. Joyce, who is 89, has been embroidering since she was very young.

Joyce Gottfried (left) is one of the original members of Luseland's embroidery guild which began in 1987. She and her daughter Elaine Gottfried are two of the six members of the group which is now known as Artistic Endeavours. Joyce is holding a Brazilian pillow which she had made and Elaine is displaying her cross-stitch project. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

"I didn't like to read, so I would do needlework," she explained. She remembered embroidering tea towels made out of flour sacks, which had to be ironed. Joyce, along with Barb Klinger, are two of the original members of Luseland's Embroidery Guild, which began in 1987.

There were twenty original charter members; however, the group comprised up to twenty-six members during its peak attendance. Those members came from Luseland, Kerrobert, Denzil, Superb, Major and Unity.

During the Guild's thirty-six years, classes were offered by instructors who taught different stitches and projects. The members held teas, went to embroidery fairs in Minot, and decorated a Christmas tree at the museum for many years. After meeting from October to June, the group ended the year with a field trip to various places of interest.

The Guild was a busy group during all those years; however, Elaine said this is the first time their work has been displayed at the Library Art Gallery. "Maybe it will generate some interest," she mused.

Since 2023, the Prairie Sunset Embroider's Guild is now a craft club known as Artistic Endeavours, open to crafters of all kinds. Everyone is welcome to come and see what the members are up to.

"If anybody wants to learn how to knit or do some of these crafts, we're willing to teach them," Elaine offered.