Events and Publications

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FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Creating Artificial Flowers: Ora, Labora, et Flore

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to examine a unique manuscript held in UW-Madison Special Collections. Presented by Friends Visiting Scholar Tianna Uchacz from Texas A&M and Sophie Pitman, Pleasant Rowland Textile Specialist and Research Director, Center for Design and Material Culture at UW-Madison, this event is the first chance to learn about this small and intriguing manuscript produced in the eighteenth century by Benedictine nuns at the St Godelieve Abbey in Bruges, Belgium.  

Thursday 20th February
Session 1: 11am-12pm
Session 2: 1pm-2pm

Space is limited; R.S.V.P. is required! https://go.wisc.edu/676a7e

Across 30 handwritten leaves, inserts of hand painted designs, and notes on loose scraps of paper of various sizes, the manuscript gives written instructions in French and Dutch for how to dye textiles and create artificial flowers. The Benedictine motto ora et labora (“pray and work”) gives context for how flower making may have functioned in abbey life as a meditative form of handicraft. The manuscript tells us about the botanical knowledge, craft skills, dyestuffs, and the role of women in this realm of artistry.

As scholars embark on a new project to translate, examine, and digitize this manuscript, as well as reconstruct some of the recipes within it, you will hear about their research and view the manuscript up close.

Hosted by the Friends of UW-Madison Libraries and the Center for Design and Material Culture in the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection (where the manuscript is on loan from Special Collections), the event will be held in the textile classroom, where the manuscript can be viewed alongside other related objects such as religious vestments and artificial flowers made from wool and hair.

Friends Spring 2025 Book Sale
April 9-12, 2025
Memorial Library, Room 116

Prices fall daily – come early for the best selection; come later for the best prices!

• Wednesday, April 9
  Preview Sale:  4:00-8:00 P.M. ($5 entry)
• Thursday & Friday, April 10 & 11
  Regular Sale: 10:30 A.M.-7:00 P.M. (no entry fee)
• Saturday, April 12
  Bag Sale: 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. ($5 per bag)
  Bring your own grocery bag or purchase one for $1
  From 1:05-2:00 p.m. all remaining items are FREE

This semiannual sale is organized by the Friends to help to support public events and lectures, priorities identified by the Dean, special purchases and preservation of library materials, and grants for the visiting scholar program. We accept donations for upcoming sales on a continual basis. The sale is free (except the preview sale) and open to the public.

We strive to ensure our events are inclusive and welcoming for all participants. If you need an accommodation, please contact Friends@library.wisc.edu.

Looking for an earlier event? Click here

For additional information about the Friends of the UW–Madison Libraries, contact:

Friends of the UW-Madison Libraries
330H Memorial Library
728 State Street
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 265-2505
Friends Contact Form