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Docent’s Love of the Arts Drives Passion for Volunteering

7/27/2021

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Barb Sater.
“Many first-time visitors are surprised to discover the House is the museum of DACO,” she said. 

Although her professional background isn’t in the arts, Barbara L. Sater says it was her love of the arts that brought her to the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio.

A retired registered nurse, Sater is one of several volunteers at DACO who come from a variety of backgrounds, all with one thing in common - their appreciation for the arts and willingness to learn.

Sater, a docent volunteer since 2013, has lived in Lancaster for more than 40 years. During one of her visits to DACO, an exhibition of “Christmases Past” that featured toys from the 1950s and 60s piqued her interest in volunteering, she says.

“I was very impressed with the docents and appreciated their enthusiasm and pride in the museum and the (Reese-Peters) House,” she said.

As a docent, Sater’s role is to make works of art meaningful, accessible and inspiring to visitors, she says.

“I interact with all visitors coming through the exhibition on my scheduled day, introducing them to the event and generally getting them started on their tour of our four galleries located on the second floor of the Reese-Peters House,” she said. 

Sater also provides historical tours of the property to showcase the preservation of architecture and the collections of the Reese-Peters House. 

As a volunteer, Sater also participates in ongoing docent training that includes semi-annual updates about the museum and curator-led docent training for each of the three exhibitions per year.

She says her most memorable experience as a volunteer has been the Paramount costumes exhibitions, not only because of the interesting exhibits alone, but also due to the sheer number of visitors coming through the museum each day to experience it themselves. 

“Visitors are in awe of the costumes, their craftsmanship and history,” Sater said. 

She remembers a “dapper looking” 98-year-old gentleman who toured the current “Distinctly Paramount” exhibition in particular as someone who made an impression on her because of his joy in seeing men’s fashion on display. 

“He told the story to the tour group of meeting designer Emilio Pucci when he himself happened to be wearing a Pucci-designed suit,” she said.

For Sater, volunteering offers an opportunity to be part of a group of people who share an interest in decorative arts, architecture and heritage of the Reese-Peters House. 

“Volunteering is the lifeblood of organizations such as DACO,” she said. “It’s critical that we pass the baton to the next generations so they may continue the enthusiasm, excitement and commitment to our community’s heritage.” 

To volunteer at DACO, visit our Volunteer Portal.
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Malvar-Stewart brings ‘Farm to Fashion’ to DACO fashion show, Nuno felting class

7/27/2021

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Photography by Seth Moses Miller. Hand-felted ensemble with Filipino “terno” sleeves. Local wool, fibre from RaeRae my favourite alpaca, and banana fibre.
Since moving to Columbus nine years ago, Celeste Malvar-Stewart has worked closely with Ohio women farmers to obtain animal fibres that she uses for her projects.

The designer knows the name of every animal and visits them regularly.

“Because positive energy is important to me, working with happy animals is key,” she says. 

Malvar-Stewart currently uses wool from two heritage sheep breeds - Lincoln Longwool sheep and Cotswold sheep - as part of her efforts toward preserving these threatened animals. She also uses fibres from huacaya and suri alpacas, which are among the most eco-friendly fibre animals.

“My work is quite literally from local farms to my fashion,” Malvar-Stewart says. 

On Aug. 14, visitors to the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio will get the opportunity to learn more about these fibers that are used to create one of the most popular fashion accessories: a scarf. 

As part of the “Farm to Fashion Nuno Scarf Workshop” with Malvar-Stewart, individuals will learn the process of Nuno felting, also known as laminate felting, using a silk base and textured raw fibre for surface design. Participants will leave the class with their own mini scarf after designing and hand felting it. 

“I first began creating Nuno felted scarves while living in New York City as a way to practice and master the craft,” she said. “I enjoy the organic and somewhat unpredictable aspect of the technique and its textural results.”

Malvar-Stewart will also be one of four Ohio-based designers featured in an intimate runway show Sept. 18 called, “Fashion of Our Times.” The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio event will also include designers Tracy Powell, Dom Susi and Xuena Pu. The show will include designs inspired by these four, as well as a panel discussion for them to share their inspiration, vision and other behind-the-scenes details leading up to creating their collections.

“In addition, I will be showcasing a small collection of my latest work called, ‘I’ve Got the Blues,” which will include my signature looks while incorporating various new techniques using deconstructed denim waste combined with traditional tailoring, embroidery and felting,” she said. “Many pieces will include blue - dyed with indigo or infused with denim waste.”

For Malvar-Stewart, incorporating sustainable practices into her creations is a priority. 

“Practicing and cultivating sustainability, intention, mindfulness and kindness within the fashion and fibre arts are the most important aspects of my work,” she said.

Each piece is produced with minimal to zero waste.

“Any additional colors are achieved by using natural dyes that I grow, locally forage or source responsibly,” she said.

An independent fashion and fibre artist for more than 25 years, Malvar-Stewart focuses on sustainable design in couture and high-end fashion and accessories. Her work has been showcased and published in The New York Times, Essence and local publications like Midwest Living and Buckeye Lifestyle.

She obtained a bachelor of applied arts degree and a master’s degree in fashion and textiles.

With her husband and two pugs, she lives in German Village, just a stone’s throw away from her studio, “Hangar 391” where she creates fashion under her brand, “MALVAR = STEWART.” She also creates fashion accessories and interior wear products exclusively for U.S.-based sustainable fashion and interior design platforms like MIVE in Columbus and Lu France Interiors in San Diego.
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    The Staff of the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio contribute to this blog.

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Decorative Arts Center of Ohio
145 E. Main St.
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
Phone: 740-681-1423