The Sewer’s Art: Quality, Fashion, and Economy
February 26 – June 27, 2009
Joyce Smith grew up in a home that appreciated fashion and the needle arts, wearing stylish and colorful garments sewn by her mother. So it was no surprise that Joyce pursued the study of textiles and clothing in college, at the University of Vermont, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics Education in 1966. After serving as an Extension Agent in New York, she enrolled in Graduate School at Iowa State University, earning a Master’s Degree in 1971. After teaching at Kansas State University and Bowling Green (OH) State University, Joyce came to The Ohio State University, where she was a State Extension Specialist for Clothing, and continued her education.
Joyce was awarded a doctorate in Extension Education in 1992. As a Clothing Specialist, she authored a number of training manuals and teaching aids, and traveled to County Extension Offices, 4-H Clubs, high schools, colleges, and universities educating girls and women in clothing selection and construction and introducing them to personal style and couture fashion. She constructed her own wardrobe specifically to demonstrate techniques of clothing, design, fit, and construction.
While Joyce enjoyed creating and wearing fashionable apparel, her role as an educator demanded that she present herself in garments that her students would be comfortable wearing. She learned early in her career to “dress for the audience,” and thus taught many women to appreciate high quality and interesting design and techniques in apparel, and to create one’s own stylish yet affordable wardrobe. Joyce retired from OSU in 2002.