2000 Lifetime Achievement Award: Shay Pendray

The Board of Directors of the Academy is pleased to announce the year 2000 recipient of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. This year's honoree is Shay Pendray.

Click here to see some pictures of Shay's work.

Shay Pendray, certified in canvas work by the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, is a teacher, lecturer, designer, host of the PBS TV show "Needle Arts Studio," author of four books, owner of retail shop, production company and manufacturer/distributor of needlework products.

Shay brings her vast knowledge and experience to PBS Television, appearing as the host and executive producer of the long running and successful series PBS series "Needle Arts Studio" filmed at Detroit Public Television.

Shay has studied Japanese Embroidery for over 18 years. She has had the privilege of studying with four different Sensi (teacher) in Japan. Shay has had the honor to study with Kiju Funkuda, Living National Treasure of Japanese Embroidery in Japan. She was the driving force in bringing Japanese Embroidery to the United States and has many students in this technique from around the world.

• Books
  • Stitching Toward Perfection (self published)
  • Shay Pendray’s Needle Craft Projects
  • Needleworker’s Companion
  • Shay Pendray’s Inventive Needlework, to be released February 2004
• Awards
  • The National Needlework Association TEN Award
  • The National Academy of Needle Arts "Lifetime Achievement Award"
  • DMC Teacher of  the Year
  • ANG Literary Award
  • NAWBO Top 10 Business Women in 2000 in the State of Michigan

Shay was also awarded a Life Membership in the Embroiderers’ Guild of America and awarded a Life Membership in her local chapter of The Embroiderers’ Guild.

She is a past Board Member of The National Needlework Association.