Else Regensteiner Collection

Born in Germany, Else Regensteiner (1906–2003) immigrated to Chicago in 1936. She began her training as a weaver at the School of Design, later the Institute of Design, in 1939. Educated in the Bauhaus methods there, in 1942 Regensteiner became an instructor of weaving at the ID and also at Hull House. Regensteiner’s success in teaching led to her 27-year tenure as a professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she established a degree program in weaving. Additionally, in 1946 Regensteiner and Julia McVicker began a partnership, known as reg/wick, to produce handwoven drapery and upholstery fabrics for architects and interior designers. Regensteiner’s modern interpretations of historic weaving styles, as well as her inventive explorations of fiber and color, were exhibited and published to great acclaim. After retiring from teaching in the 1970s, Regensteiner wrote several authoritative books on the subject and became a founding member of the Handweavers Guild of America. This collection is comprised of Regensteiner’s personal and professional papers, teaching materials, manuscripts and illustrations for her published books, textile design notes and sample swatches, scrapbooks, and photographs of her work. View finding aid. Collection access:Collections may be accessed in the Franke Reading Room of the Research Center at The Art Institute of Chicago, by appointment only. For further information, consult the FAQ. Finding aids by subjectBrowse all finding aidsBrowse images and mediaOral histories Contact the Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives:archives@artic.edu