·         2022 Class Schedule

·         Class & Seminar Location

·         Class & Registration Information

·         Partial Listing of Lectures & Seminars

·         Information about the Senior Staff

·         Recommended web links

·         Genteel Arts Contact Information

 

BE SURE TO FOLLOW GENTEEL ARTS ON FACEBOOK

THANKS to everyone who had participated in the annual Civilian Symposium and

The Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860's Conferences through all the years!

Website revised Dec 12, 2021


THE GENTEEL ARTS ACADEMY

- OUR 34th YEAR -

The Genteel Arts Academy was founded in 1988 to encourage interest in the clothing worn during the Civil War era; concentrating on historically accurate sewing techniques. The Academy offers a continuing series of lectures and hands-on seminars on all aspects of Civil War clothing, needlework and period culture. Students select from well over 100 topics which are offered on a rotating schedule based on popularity.

Classes are held at various locations across the US and occasionally in the Gettysburg area. Future classes can be scheduled in your area of the country. Select online seminars are also available. Please contact the Academy for further details concerning scheduling presentations, workshops, classes and online seminars in your area.

835 Bridgewater Dr.
New Oxford, PA 17350
(717) 624-5979

www.genteelarts.com

For additional information email:  info<at>genteelarts.com

(Please be sure to replace the  <at>  with  @  in email addresses before sending.)

Proprietor: Carolann Schmitt

Business Manager: Don Schmitt

"The Genteel Arts Academy", "The Civilian Symposium" and "The Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860's Conference" are subsidiaries of GENTEEL ARTS, LLC

Genteel Arts, LLC does NOT manufacture Civil War period clothing for resale. The company focus is instruction on the history of period clothing and teaching students how to accurately reproduce it via hands-on workshops, seminars and lectures.

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2022 WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS

GENTEEL ARTS ACADEMY is pleased to announce our 2022 schedule of classes, presentations and conferences on Victorian period clothing and culture. Anyone interested in Victorian fashion, history, sewing, needlework and material culture will find these events very educational.

All hands-on workshops include a review of the history of the garment and a study of specific design characteristics used during the period. Students then sew the garment using period fitting and construction techniques. A workbook including historical information, a suggested reading list and sewing instructions is included with the registration fee. Online seminars also available, please call for more information.

We suggest registering for any listed event well in advance of the activity date as many fill up quickly.
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2022 GENTEEL ARTS SCHEDULE 

* Check location carefully, the 2022 schedule includes classes, presentations and conferences at various locations around the US *

 

Many 2021 events have again rescheduled to 2022 due to the continuing pandemic. Please keep in mind the fluid situation we are in so check the schedule below periodically for updates and additions.

 

CLASS: Hot Springs, AR in July 2022. The 2021 Hot Springs class was held and a 2022 event is being organized. This schedule will be updated once class details are finalized. Contact us for additional information.

 

CONFERENCE: Corsets & Cravats, Newberry, SC, August 4-7, 2022. The fourth annual conference will be offered with a full range of seminars. Carolann has a hands-on workshop Essential Stitches and Seams”, and a breakout session "...my best petticoat.... A Plethora of Petticoats 1830-1870". Don has a breakout session "From Wet Plates to Megapixels: Using Digital Technology to Study 19th Century Photographs". Complete information at www.corsetsandcravats.com.

 

CLASS: St. Joseph, MN. A 2022 class is being planned for late summer. This schedule will be updated once details are finalized. Contact us for additional information.

 

CLASS: Hamden, CT. A 2022 class is being planned for the fall. This schedule will be updated once details are finalized. Contact us for additional information.

 

BE SURE TO REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, MANY CLASSES FILL QUICKLY!

EVENT LOCATIONS

Please review each listing carefully for event location. We recommend making reservations at hotel, motel or bed & breakfast well in advance of the activity.

EVENT REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Please contact the Academy via phone or email to request more information for classes/seminars and registration information. Gift certificates are available! Payment can be by check, money order, VISA and MasterCard. Genteel Arts Academy reserves the right to cancel any class due to insufficient enrollment.

CLICK TO FOLLOW GENTEEL ARTS ON FACEBOOK 


Do you wish a class or presentation could be in YOUR area? We can come to you!

Take advantage of GENTEEL ARTS ACADEMY "ON THE ROAD" !

Your group or historical site can sponsor a Genteel Arts Academy class, or series of classes, in YOUR area. Contact us at info<at>genteelarts.com or call 717-624-5979 for details and available dates. (Please be sure to replace the  <at>  with  @  in email addresses before sending.)


 PARTIAL LISTING OF LECTURES AND SEMINARS PRODUCED BY THE ACADEMY
ON A ROTATING BASIS AND/OR BY POPULAR DEMAND

If you see a topic you would like to see scheduled or have a topic you would like to have added please contact us.

Lectures & Presentations

Introduction to Textiles

Textiles for Men’s Clothing

Fundamentals of Clothing for Women

Fundamentals of Clothing for Children

Fundamentals of Clothing for Men

Underpinnings

Outerwear

Accessories

More Than a Fashion Magazine

Altering a Pattern for Fit

Altering a Pattern for Style

Skirt Supports

Fur Garments and Accessories

The Artifice of Dressing Well

Sheer Accessories

Men’s Dressing Gowns, Caps and Slippers

Men’s Vests

Dressing for Inclement Weather

Sleuthing at the Seams

The Difference is in the Details

 

Hands-on Seminars & Workshops

 

Period Construction Techniques

Essential Stitches and Seams I

Essential Stitches and Seams II

Essential Stitches and Seams III

Nitty-Gritty Details of Dress Construction

Gauging and Pleating

Trimmings and Embellishments

Introduction to Sewing for Children

 

Undergarments

Chemise-Yoke

Chemise-Band

Corset

Drawers

Petticoats

Quilted

Petticoat

Corded Petticoat

Wool Petticoat

Cage Crinoline

Covered Crinoline

Nightgown

Stockings

Garter

 

Garments

Altering a Bodice for Fit

Altering a Bodice for Style

Darted Bodice

Gathered/Tucked Bodice

Sheer Bodice

Yoked Bodice

Semi-Formal Bodice

Ball Gown Bodice

Basque Bodice - Two Versions

Fan-Front Bodice

Sleeves

Skirts

Make-a-Dress Series

Wrapper

Garibaldi Shirt

Sheer Overbodice

Bloomer/Gymnastics/Bathing  Costume

 

Accessories

Fichus and Pelerines

Collar and Cuffs

Undersleeves

Chemisettes

Belts and Sashes

Medici and Other Shaped Waists

Pinner/Work Aprons

Fancy Aprons

Muffs

Mittens

Purses and Reticules

Covering a Fan

Quilted Sontag

Slippers

Lady’s Neckties and Cravats

 

Outerwear

Summer Mantles

Silk and Net Mantle

Winter Mantles

Paletot

Lady’s Sack Jacket

Spanish/Zouave Jacket

Fold-over Shawl

 

Millinery

Drawn Bonnet

Quilted Bonnet

Marie Stuart Hood

Quilted Hood

Glengarry Cap

Day Caps

Dinner/Tea Caps

Headdresses

Decorative Nets

 

Needlework

Broderie Anglaise

Berlin Work

 

Novelties

Housewife

Sewing Basket

Needle Case

Scissors Sheath

Sewing Chatelaine

Thread Trolley

 

Men's Clothing

Square-Cut Shirt

French-Cut Shirt with Bib

Vest

Unlined Summer Vest

Trousers

Sack Coat

Unlined Linen Sack Coat

Summer Paletot

Drawers

Dressing Gown

Smoking Cap

Cravats

 

Digital Media Seminars/Workshops

From Wetplates to Megapixels: Digital examination of photos for the historian

Microsoft Powerpoint for Historians

 


Profile of the Senior Staff

Clothing historian Carolann Schmitt has been studying the clothing and needlework of Civil War era since 1968. She is a featured lecturer at conferences, living history events and historic sites throughout the country. Carolann was a board member and past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and Museum (SUFAM) and has been a continuing education instructor for Harrisburg Area Community College. She is an active participant in many living history activities and is the past Chairperson of the Costume Committee of the North-South Skirmish Association. An accomplished seamstress and needlewoman, she and her students have won numerous awards for their authentic reproduction clothing in national and regional period costume competitions. Genteel Arts, LLC is a member of the Costume Society of America and the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM).  Carolann is the President of Genteel Arts, LLC. Her email address is: cschmitt<at>genteelarts.com (Please be sure to replace the  <at>  with  @  in email addresses before sending.)

Don Schmitt has been actively involved in 19th century living history since 1968. In 1970 he was one of the three founding members of the 11th Pennsylvania Vol. Inf Regt. This unit remains active today in the Gettysburg area as a fife and drum corps and color guard. Prior to retirement at the end of 2013 Don was in the business information technology field for thirty years. Today he is active in the Gettysburg National Military Park volunteer program and also coordinates the auxiliary communications program at the Adams County Department of Emergency Services & 911 Center. Don provides marketing, business management and technical solutions for Genteel Arts, LLC. His email address is: dschmitt<at>genteelarts.com  (Please be sure to replace the  <at>  with  @  in email addresses before sending.)

Carolann and Don participated in North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA) events for over 40 years. Their member organization, Knap's Independent Battery E, Pa. Light Artillery, participates in live fire small arms, artillery and period costume competitions. They have also participated in Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) events which portrays Old West living history from 1860-1898.

Carolann and Don are both fifth generation natives of Gettysburg and reside in the Gettysburg area.

Carolann Schmitt, President - Genteel Arts, LLC


Genteel Arts recommends these links:

Follow Genteel Arts on Facebook

Gettysburg National Military Park

Adams County Historical Society

Shippensburg University Fashion Archives & Museum

National Civil War Museum - Harrisburg, PA

North-South Skirmish Association