Mississippi Valley Textile Museum to host Palestinian embroidery exhibit
A new exhibition exploring Palestinian history through traditional embroidery will open at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum on Feb. 14, 2026.
A Stitch in Time: The Palestine History Tapestry, presented in partnership with Palestine Museum US, features a selection of hand-stitched panels from the Palestine History Tapestry, a collection of more than 100 embroidered works created by Palestinian women living in refugee camps. The exhibition will run from Feb. 14 to April 19, 2026, with an opening reception scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Palestine History Tapestry is an award-winning project that uses tatreez, traditional Palestinian embroidery, to depict the history, culture and lived experiences of the Palestinian people. Together, the panels form a large-scale visual timeline spanning from Neolithic times to the present.
Most of the pieces are stitched using tatreez, a cross-stitch embroidery technique traditionally used to decorate clothing and household items. The patterns often feature geometric designs and colours that carry specific cultural meanings. Passed down through generations, tatreez incorporates personal and collective stories and has increasingly become a form of cultural preservation and resistance.
While some traditional designs are incorporated into the tapestry, the project also represents an evolution of Palestinian embroidery. The works demonstrate the technical skill and creativity required to portray complex historical imagery through textile art.
“At the heart of the tapestry lies tatreez, the centuries-old Palestinian embroidery tradition which UNESCO added to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021. The art of tatreez has long been the quiet chronicle of a people, passed down from mother to daughter across generations,” said Faisal Saleh (he/him), executive director of Palestine Museum US.
Museum officials say the exhibition offers an opportunity for reflection and dialogue within the local community.
“There’s power in textiles; in how they stretch across cultures and time as tangible pieces of history. This is why the Museum feels that A Stitch in Time is important to share with the local community as a way to facilitate connection and discussion, and amplify voices and stories that are being silenced. This exhibit is a celebration of Palestinian history, culture, and people, but it’s also a frank reflection of what Palestinians have endured and continue to endure. It’s a reflection of their resilience, and we’re honoured to share this exhibit,” said Michael Rikley-Lancaster, executive director and curator of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in a media release.
“Even in the face of insurmountable destruction and loss Palestinian people and culture endures. This exhibition speaks to the resilience and rich history of a people that has been passed down over generations – like all textile craft and material culture. I know that those coming to view A Stitch in Time will leave with a sense of how tapestry and artistry weaves us all together beyond time, land, and grief,” stated Skylee-Storm Hogan-Stacey (she/they), president of the MVTM board of directors.
The exhibition is supported by the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, the family of Mary Ballantyne, nineSixteen, and Almonte Cozy 2 Bedroom Apartment (Airbnb).