The 2018 annual meeting of the Midwest Fiber Art Educators Network (MFAEN) will be held at the University of Missouri, November 9-11, 2018. The mission of the MFAEN is to connect professional Fiber/Textile/Material Studies educators throughout the Midwest and beyond. The purpose of the annual meeting is to share curriculum, new trends in the field, …

Mountain to Mouth, a multi-award winning biennial journey of discovery, started in 2009 with a desire to connect people to each other and to the land through the arts. My reason for being a part of this extraordinary event was in the creation of Canoe, Mountain to Mouth’s lead ephemeral processional sculpture. I was beyond …

Refraction is an ocular cleanse. The works in Refraction: New Photography of Africa and its Diaspora bridges the gap between Black stereotypes and Black reality. Curated by Cassandra Johnson (Steven Kasher Gallery Director) and Niama Safia Sandy (Independent Curator and Cultural Anthropologist) the exhibition presents a generation of photographic artists of African descent who portray …

This week’s roundup looks at the histories of protest from a wide range of views: from fashion, to contemporary Native American artists, and celebrities. 1) “The Perils of Using Fashion for Protest” by Connie Wang examines the pussyhat, safety pins, and other fashion items that have been used as symbols for protest, and what (if …

Surface Design Association is excited to begin accepting submissions for our 2018 International Exhibition In Print: Family Matters. Each year, the EIP showcases the breadth and depth of contemporary artists and designers working with or inspired by fiber art and/or textile-based materials, methods, and techniques. The work of selected artists are featured in the winter …

Quilts have become a popular topic for many contemporary art websites and blogs, and this week’s Friday Fibers Roundup brings you a batch looking at quilts from many different contexts. 1) “The Broken Promises of American Indian Treaties, Sewn onto Quilts” by Rachel Elizabeth Jones examines the work of Gina Adams and how she sews …

The question was: Would you please stand up if you have been affected by sexual abuse or domestic violence? As I stood up and saw 3 out of 4 of the 300 women in the conference room were standing, I knew that the message of my artwork was clearly about to take on a new …

This week’s Friday Fibers Roundup features a variety of articles exploring how weaving can be used to map place, histories, and nature. 1) “The Enduring Appeal of: Baskets” by Deborah Needleman looks at basket weaving from various artist and cultural perspectives to highlight the traditions and diversity within the medium (via New York Times). 2) …

Anita Bracalente lives a broad and varied artistic life. She is an art museum registrar, painter, sculptor, stain-glass maker, landscape designer, knitter and an arts lecturer. As she says, “a creative life takes on its own natural progression and direction.” An important aspect of this forward motion has been seeking light, creating space in a …

This week’s Friday Fibers Roundup looks at the body and the various ways patterns and designs are used within fashion, exhibitions, and textile works. 1) “‘Black Panther’ Costume Designer Draws On ‘The Sacred Geometry Of Africa’” by Mallory Yu looks at the costuming details from the recent Marvel Blockbuster and how Wakanda’s Afro-futurism is grounded …