Ethel Wallace: Unraveling the Hidden History of a Textile Artist and Fashion Designer

Please note: This event, originally set to be held in the Formal Dining Room, will now be held in the Music Room. The event will begin as scheduled at 6:00PM.

Painter and textile artist Ethel Wallace has been called a “modern rebel” of 1920s New York. Her stunning batiks were worn by discerning women like Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and Lucie Rosen. Dr. Michael Mamp of Louisiana State University will give an engaging illustrated talk based on his recent research into Wallace’s career. All guests at this free event will have a special opportunity to view the newly-discovered examples of Wallace’s work in the Rosen House collection. This 40-minute talk will be followed by a Q&A.

Dr. Mamp is the Director and Curator of the Louisiana State University Costume and Textile Museum. His areas of interest include twentieth-century American fashion and textiles, woman designers and Queer fashion. His article “Ethel Wallace: Forgotten Histories of Batik and Fashion in the Journal of Modern Craft was awarded a 2021 Paper of Distinction Award by the International Textile and Apparel Association.

Know Before You Go

Summer Season Shuttle / Take the FREE shuttle from Metro North’s Katonah train station to and from Caramoor! The shuttle runs before and after every summer afternoon and evening concert. There is no RSVP to get on the shuttle, it will be there when you arrive (in the parking lot side of the station). If it’s not there, it’s just making the loop and should be back within 5–10 minutes. The shuttle will start running 1.5 hours before this event, and after the event ends.

Make the Most of Your Time at Caramoor

Stay for a 7:00pm performance by Owls in the Music Room / Owls are an exciting new quartet collective that shatters all expectations and throws labels out the window with their unmissable, lively, and deeply personal performances. The New York Times dubs them a “dream group,” and you’ll see why as they perform originals and arrangements ranging from the 1600s to today. Click here to learn more.