Gracia Abrabanel
Gracia’s mundane name is Grace Amundsen Barnkow. She has previously used the name Kat Ginere when she first started in the SCA in late 2019 in Blatha an Oir. She now lives in Crown Lands in Pacific County. Grace’s passions include costuming (particularly accessories and architectural hats), casting, scribal, fiber crafts (especially related to her Angora goats), and in general doing All the Things.
Heraldry
Gracia's heraldry is Argent, a polypus inverted purpure within a bordure engrailed sable.
Persona
Gracia’s first persona in the society was Tudor. She also frequently plays as a Roman matriarch of the Flavian era, AD 69–79, in the patrician ranks.
Gracia’s primary persona is an Iberian expatriate, a scion of a wealthy and prominent Jewish family. Her immediate family was involved with lobbying against the Inquisition, which involved traveling to the noble courts of Europe & the Vatican between 1470 and 1530, spending lavishly, and making personal connections. After the imposition of the Portuguese Inquisition in 1536, Gracia helps operate a network of human smugglers to move Jewish people and wealth out of Iberian countries to Ferrara in Italy and various regions of the Ottoman Empire. This persona would have worn clothing typical for the courts, patricians and wealthy merchant classes through which she travelled, from Turkey to Burgundy. She particularly loves the garb of Venice (1530s) and Burgundy (1480s). Gracia’s persona is based on the lives of actual historic people including Gracia Mendes Nasi, Ginevra Blanis, and Benvenida Abrabanel.
Gracia is also developing a Mesopotamian persona, based primarily on the burial goods of Queen Puabi.
Classes
Gracia’s most frequently taught class is scroll design and scribal basics, which takes attendees through the steps of blank page through finished scroll. She’s taught this class in 3 online events, and at least five in person events.
Gracia taught classes on pottages at 2 events. Her class presentation is available here.
Gracia has taught classes on 3D printing for the SCA at three events. Her class presentation is available here.
Gracia has taught a variety of hat classes at several events, and some of the materials she uses for these classes are available here and here.
Gracia teaches a clay whistles class occasionally, but this class does not have printed materials.
Grace has a purse creation class she has taught at Collegium and small baronial A&S events. Her class handout is available here.
Grace teaches a class on scribal design in Procreate at virtual events.
Stewardship and Officer Roles
Gracia is currently stepping up as seneschal for Crow's Gate/Fire Mountain. She has been the event Steward for Harvest Feast (BAO), Honey War (GM), Crows Feast (FMK), and Celtic Bardic (BAO). She served on the staff of a variety of events, from helping with cooking for Yule 2022, to serving on gate staff for a variety of events, to creating event tokens for half a dozen events. She has served as Chronicler for BAO from 2020 to 2022, passing the baton to Mycol Reamer after she moved to Pacific County. An example of an edition of the Blatherings she produced is available here.
Research
Gracia’s research on Transitional Hennin was presented at Athenaeum 2020, and is available here.
Gracia’s research on Gracia Abrabanel was presented at Kingdom A&S 2021, and is available here.
Gracia’s research on Angora Moire was presented for Kingdom A&S 2024, and is available here.
Gracia’s research on Puabi’s Jewelry was presented for Kingdom A&S 2024, and is available [1].
Gracia’s research on Puabi’s Kunakku was presented for Kingdom A&S 2024, and is available [2].
Competitions
Gracia unsuccessfully competed for Blatha an Oir A&S Champion in 2020, and Glymm Mere A&S Champion in 2022. Gracia did a single-entry research paper at Kingdom A&S in 2022. Gracia was on the Shirazi Lykoi team that won the Iron Needle Sable Coutier competition at Kingdom A&S 2023. Grace did a full entry at Kingdom A&S 2024, and was awarded the ‘Scholar of An Tir’.
Gracia is also an active scribe. She placed first in the Novice division in 2021 (documentation) and second in the Novice division in 2022 (documentation) for the 48 hour challenge.
Awards Received
Gratia Coronae (West) By: Uther & Vera Sep 5, 2021 (AS LVI)
Briar (Blatha An Oir) By: Yusuf Ja'bar al Timbuktuwwi el qalot, Angharat verch Reynulf Nov 6, 2021 (AS LVI)
Golden Blossom (Blatha An Oir) By: Yusuf Ja'bar al Timbuktuwwi el qalot, Angharat verch Reynulf Dec 31, 2021 (AS LVI)
Award of Arms (An Tir) By: Hélène d'Anjou Jan 7, 2022 (AS LVI)
Crystal of Glymm Mere (Glymm Mere) By: Alasdair Mac Roibeirt, Disa i Birkilundi Aug 13, 2022 (AS LVII)
Jambe de Lion (An Tir) By: Octamasades Skuthikos, Achaxe Ek Auchatae Dec 3, 2022 (AS LVII)
Scribal Portfolio
Gracia has a fairly extensive body of work, but these are her favourites.
Black scroll with Gold Lacework, created for the 2022 48 hour challenge.
Gracia's 2021 48 hour challenge competition entry.
Letter of Marque created as a gift for the An Tir Largesse exchange. Linework, painting, calligraphy, and seal are all Gracia’s work.
Sable bonnet. Only design is Gracia’s work; painting and calligraphy by others.
Gigi’s Elevation Scroll. Portrait by Baroness Maricka, translation review by Federico Marangoni. Painting, calligraphy, translation, wording, and line work by Gracia.
Card design by Gracia for the Glymm Mere Baron & Baroness.
Card design by Gracia for the Glymm Mere Baron & Baroness.
Card design by Gracia for the Glymm Mere Baron & Baroness.
Hart award design by Gracia for Glymm Mere.
Silver Pillar award design by Gracia
Wing design by Gracia for Crown, 2022.
Blossom award designed by Gracia for Blatha an Oir.
Briar award designed by Gracia for Blatha an Oir.
Sparke award designed by Gracia for the Crown.
Jambe designed and calligraphed by Gracia Abrabanel, painted by Matilda.
Leo Minor award designed & calligraphied by Gracia Abrabanel.
Jambe designed and calligraphed by Gracia Abrabanel, painted by Soraya Abdo.
Bardic Championship scroll designed by Gracia Abrabanel, painted by Barwnes Angharat verch Reynulf.
Briar charter designed and calligrapher by Gracia Abrabanel for the Barony of Blatha an Oir.
