14 years. 51 countries. 380 contributors. Millions of stitches. 1 red dress.

The Red Dress project, conceived by British artist Kirstie Macleod, provides an artistic platform for women around the world, many of whom are vulnerable and live in poverty, to tell their personal stories through embroidery.

SVAC is proud to be the first arts organization in the United States to exhibit the Red Dress as part of a multi-year tour. The Red Dress will also travel to The Frick Pittsburgh and Fuller Craft Museum. 

The exhibition will include a special audio experience, narrated by founder Kirstie Macleod, describing the evolution of the project over more than a decade and including the voices of some of the participating embroiderers. 

Work on the Red Dress is now complete after 13 years, and an exciting new iteration of the project is underway. In 2022, Calico Dress No. 1 debuted at the National Waterfront Museum in Wales, where 30 community members came to embroider on the dress during a one-day workshop.

SVAC has commissioned Calico Dress No. 2 and invites members of our community to add their stories to the dress, which will be part of the exhibition. 

Thank you to Berkshire Bank and Vermont Women’s Fund for sponsoring this exhibition!