× Upcoming Events In the Harris Family Gallery A Brief History of Weathervane Playhouse Mission and Vision Statement For an Enjoyable Experience Board of Trustees and Staff Our Generous Donors Our Hardworking Volunteers Show your Support Past Events
Home In the Harris Family Gallery A Brief History of Weathervane Playhouse Mission and Vision Statement For an Enjoyable Experience Board of Trustees and Staff Our Generous Donors Our Hardworking Volunteers Show your Support
Image for In the Harris Family Gallery
In The Harris Gallery

IN THE HARRIS FAMILY GALLERY

Vintage lace from the Hower House, the Western Reserve Lace Society, Eric Steckel, the private collection of Laura Clark, and the private collection of Jasen Smith

Vintage lace, along with some contemporary lace from various sources, seemed a perfect accompaniment to Weathervane's current production of "Arsenic and Old Lace."

The Hower House was completed in 1871. This Second Empire Italianate home was built by John Henry and Susan Youngker Hower and remains one of the finest and best-preserved examples of its style in the country. The 28-room mansion is filled with treasures and furnishings collected from around the world by three generations of the Hower family, who occupied the house. Since Grace Hower Crawford was one of the four women who founded Weathervane Playhouse in 1935, it seemed a natural fit to exhibit many of the lace pieces she acquired over the years. According to Linda Bussey, Director of the Hower House Museum, the Howers had a live-in lacemaker for a number of years.

The Hower House was deeded to The University of Akron in 1970 and, by 1973, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, beginning a new life as a museum.

Katherine Dunlevey, President of the Western Reserve Lace Society, has provided a wide assortment of antique lace styles from her private collection, along with a few examples created by members of the Society. Visit their website at www.WesternReserveLaceSociety.co for more information.

Eric Steckel returns to the Weathervane stage as “Mr. Gibbs” in this production. He is a master of the art of crochet and a member of St. Hilary’s Prayer Shawl Ministry. These volunteers crochet or knit prayer shawls, blankets, hats for premature babies, scarves, and fleece blankets with crochet edging for the youth and teenagers of St. Hilary’s Catholic Church. His two pieces illustrate examples of “Crochet Lace” and “Filet Lace.”

From the private collection of Laura Clark comes a stunning turquoise silk-satin negligee by Sabbia Rosa, Place des Victoires, Paris. Sabbia Rosa remains one of the most exclusive names in French luxury. Based in a single boutique in the heart of Paris, the brand eschews online retail and mass production. This exquisite piece is trimmed with hand-applied Calais lace in a striking tan-and-gold contrast. Originating from the northern French city of Calais, this lace is produced on historic 19th-century Leavers looms. It is world-renowned for its extreme delicacy, complex floral patterns, and three-dimensional texture.

In the lobby are antique, lace-trimmed dresses, blouses, and a skirt from the private collection of Jasen Smith, Weathervane’s gifted Resident Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager. Enjoy the costumes he created for "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Marci Paolucci
Gallery Curator

Image for In the Harris Family Gallery
In The Harris Gallery

IN THE HARRIS FAMILY GALLERY

Vintage lace from the Hower House, the Western Reserve Lace Society, Eric Steckel, the private collection of Laura Clark, and the private collection of Jasen Smith

Vintage lace, along with some contemporary lace from various sources, seemed a perfect accompaniment to Weathervane's current production of "Arsenic and Old Lace."

The Hower House was completed in 1871. This Second Empire Italianate home was built by John Henry and Susan Youngker Hower and remains one of the finest and best-preserved examples of its style in the country. The 28-room mansion is filled with treasures and furnishings collected from around the world by three generations of the Hower family, who occupied the house. Since Grace Hower Crawford was one of the four women who founded Weathervane Playhouse in 1935, it seemed a natural fit to exhibit many of the lace pieces she acquired over the years. According to Linda Bussey, Director of the Hower House Museum, the Howers had a live-in lacemaker for a number of years.

The Hower House was deeded to The University of Akron in 1970 and, by 1973, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, beginning a new life as a museum.

Katherine Dunlevey, President of the Western Reserve Lace Society, has provided a wide assortment of antique lace styles from her private collection, along with a few examples created by members of the Society. Visit their website at www.WesternReserveLaceSociety.co for more information.

Eric Steckel returns to the Weathervane stage as “Mr. Gibbs” in this production. He is a master of the art of crochet and a member of St. Hilary’s Prayer Shawl Ministry. These volunteers crochet or knit prayer shawls, blankets, hats for premature babies, scarves, and fleece blankets with crochet edging for the youth and teenagers of St. Hilary’s Catholic Church. His two pieces illustrate examples of “Crochet Lace” and “Filet Lace.”

From the private collection of Laura Clark comes a stunning turquoise silk-satin negligee by Sabbia Rosa, Place des Victoires, Paris. Sabbia Rosa remains one of the most exclusive names in French luxury. Based in a single boutique in the heart of Paris, the brand eschews online retail and mass production. This exquisite piece is trimmed with hand-applied Calais lace in a striking tan-and-gold contrast. Originating from the northern French city of Calais, this lace is produced on historic 19th-century Leavers looms. It is world-renowned for its extreme delicacy, complex floral patterns, and three-dimensional texture.

In the lobby are antique, lace-trimmed dresses, blouses, and a skirt from the private collection of Jasen Smith, Weathervane’s gifted Resident Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager. Enjoy the costumes he created for "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Marci Paolucci
Gallery Curator