BALD EAGLE ART LEAGUE MEMBER
info@BaldEagleArtLeague.com

Dixie Lee Wurster

I am Dixie Lee Wurster and I create original pieces of Pennsylvania Straw Art. Wheat weaving or straw work is a traditional farm folk art practiced around the world. Weavings are created as symbols of love, blessing, faith, thanksgiving for the harvest, and hope for a plentiful crop the coming year.Straw Art is a traditional farm folk craft. American wheat weavings, English corn dollies, woven straw hats and bonnets, Swiss straw work, straw applique, German straw stars, Scottish favors, love knots and harvest tokens are included in the definition of Straw Art.

I began working with straw in 1988. I grow small plots of wheat, rye, oats, corn, sorghum, ornamental grasses and flowers on my farm to use in my designs. Harvesting of straw begins in June. It is cut by hand, dried, sorted for size, and bleached or dyed. A warm water soaking of the straw is usually necessary before work can begin.My favorite designs include 18th and 19th century English hat plaits with names such as Diamonds, Snail’s Track and Batwing. The studio is in an old one room schoolhouse - complete with bell and blackboards.

During the years I’ve exhibited, taught classes and held workshops throughout Pennsylvania. It is important that my work remains a farm folk craft, a visual expression of the joy of a good harvest after a season of hard work in the fields. I am inspired by traditional straw work from around the world and historic Pennsylvania designs found in quilts, fraktur, barn signs, pottery decorations, etc.. Combining the traditional symbols of love, hope, thanksgiving, faith and blessing and my own visions of God and nature.

My educational background is in Floriculture and Fine Art and I am a member of the following groups and organizations:

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