The Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery is pleased to present “Pretty Good Things: Thesis Edition!”, Mary Pattavina’s thesis project work. Pattavina is a Master of Arts candidate in the Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Pattavina’s sculptural hats and illustrations inspire Pretty Good Things’ newest online hat collection (prettygoodthings.com).

Eight watercolor illustrations and eight sculptural hats describe the story of a female character traveling through the natural world in which she exists placid, graceful and simultaneously awkward. The hats and illustrations encourage viewers to experience feelings of fantasy and escapism. The hats are not traditional hats like fedoras, bowlers, or berets but rather architectural swooping textile concoctions engineered using traditional and unconventional methods of millinery.

Art meets business in the second part of the show. Pattavina created Pretty Good Things, an emerging online hat business (prettygoodthings.com) through which she sells her handmade “hats, fascinators and hair do-dads.” Digital prints of the illustrations and eight smaller, derivative hats are showcased in the gallery and available to purchase online at prettygoodthings.com. These smaller hats are each inspired by the theme and mood their respective sculptural hat. Pretty Good Things targets a female customer that follows trends but knows that true personal expression takes some detours along the way.

The Hillestad Gallery is part of the Textiles, Clothing and Design Department, College of Education and Human Sciences. It is located in the Home Economics Building on UNL's East Campus, 34th and Holdrege streets in Lincoln, NE. Hours are 8:30-4pm Monday-Friday and by appointment. Admission is free. For more information call: 402-472-2911.