Michelle Agnew is an award-winning Canadian artist specializing in sculptural goldwork embroidery. With training from the Royal School of Needlework, she transforms traditional embroidery into a three-dimensional art form through impressionistic goldwork. Michelle’s work merges the ancient craft of goldwork with contemporary techniques, recontextualizing it within modern frameworks. Her approach aims to celebrate the medium's versatility and honour the craft’s rich heritage while expanding its boundaries, creating visually striking and conceptually engaging artworks.

Michelle is also a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silvery Wyre Drawers and has been practicing since 2022.

AWARDS
Hand & Lock the Prize: The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Ware Drawers Associate Award, 2024

Mr. X Stitch Contemporary Needlework Prize 2024, Hand Embroidery, 3rd place.

Newmarket Juried Art Show 2025, Honourable Mention.

EXHIBITIONS

Hand & Lock the Prize Exhibition, Rosenfeld Gallery, 2024.

The Broderers’ Exhibition: The Art of Embroidery, Bankside Gallery, 2025.

Newmarket Juried Art Show, Newmarket Old Town Hall, 2025.

PRESS

WHAT WOMEN CREATE, The Art of Embroidery, Cover Story, Fall 2025, p. 45-53.

GRAND ALMA BOOK, Psychology, Luxury, and Contemporary Culture, Volume 1, p. 178-184

EMBROIDERY, The Textile Art Magazine, Volume 76, p. 15.

COLLABORATIONS

MERRELL X MICHELLE AGNEW (Instagram, NY Pop-Up, Sept 2024).

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE X MICHELLE AGNEW (TikTok, 2023).

MAX&Co. X MICHELLE AGNEW (TikTok, Jan 2023).

MAX&Co. X MICHELLE AGNEW (TikTok, Oct 2023).

MAX&Co. X MICHELLE AGNEW (TikTok, Dec 2023).

FASHION

Miss Sohee

Tamara Ralph

Jaquemus

Olivia Von Halle

EDUCATION

Royal School of Needlework, Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery, 2022.

University of Waterloo, Honours English Literature and Rhetoric, 2020.