On September 21, 1977 needle arts in the deep
South took a significant step forward with the finalization of efforts to form
the Sun Region by the then existing Florida Chapters of The Embroiderers' Guild
of America, Inc.
As early as 1972, groups of people
interested in needle arts had organized locally in several areas in the state.
One of the earliest of these was located in Fort Lauderdale. The
Goldcoast Needlearts Guild was chartered on November 15, 1972, becoming
the twenty-second chapter of The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc.
Their area went from Hollywood to Palm Beach with
an interest group in Stuart. Eventually the chapter divided to form the
Hibiscus Chapter in Palm Beach, the Coral Springs Chapter in Coral Springs and
Fort Lauderdale remained the Goldcoast Needlearts Guild.
Another early group was formed in Jacksonville,
receiving its charter from EGA on May 23, 1973...the second Florida Chapter.
They chose the name LeMoyne Chapter. Their second president, Jon
Ferguson, was one of the spark plugs in forming the Sun Region and served as the
Region's first director.
The Central Florida Chapter, centered around
Orlando, received its national charter on September 12, 1973, and became the
third EGA chapter in Florida. The group was organized and inspired by
Felicia Schwaner who also served as the chapter's first president and for whom
their library is named.
In Fort Meyers, a group of fifteen women
met and decided to form an EGA chapter to be named Sea Grape. One of their
group was Jean Kirkpatrick, a former national president of EGA. They were
awarded a charter in February 1974. At the urging of Jon Ferguson, the Sea
Grape Chapter became an early member of the Sun Region.
During 1977, the Biscayne Chapter
voted to join the Sun Region and became one of the founding members. In
Clearwater, the Sun Coast Chapter was organized in April 1976 and became one of
the original members of the Sun Region. Since the Sun Region's formation,
other chapters have joined and grown and developed as interest in needle arts
has been promoted and grown throughout the state. Some chapters have
disbanded for various reasons while the Region has expanded to include a chapter
in southern Georgia. All of the chapters have developed interest in their
groups through exhibits, teaching sessions, community and outreach programs.
The first regional seminar was held in Orlando in
May 1979, and was hosted by the Central Florida Chapter. One hundred
participants were in attendance from every region chapter. The seminar ran
from Sunday to Saturday and set the pattern for many successful region seminars
to come.
