This issue celebrates socially engaged artistic practices from natural dyeing and slow fibers to sustainable fashion and political art projects that unite communities around the globe….

Ever tried itajime? Let shibori artist Ana Lisa Hedstrom show you the history, process – plus contemporary adaptations – of this time-honored resist technique that uses folding, clamping and dyeing to create stunning pattern on cloth and other substrates. The only limits are your imagination! Learn this compelling process from a master via this 2nd in her series of shibori DVDs….

Whether or not you were able to attend, get an overview of some hot spots & highlights of “Made/Aware: Socially Engaged Art” – Surface Design Associaton’s 1st Craft + Concept Intensive held at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in October 2015. Emerging artist, educator (and 2nd generation SDA member!) Tamryn McDermott shares her play-by-play experience here.
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Brooks Harris Stevens uses the universally acknowledged value of gold – in the form of thread – to stitch healing energy into buildings and cultures. Marvel at these 2 recent installations where she mended the built environment to build awareness about the value of progress in post-communist Albania & recession-ravaged Romania, while simultaneously stretching the boundaries of the fiber medium….

“Materialities: Contemporary Textile Arts” juried exhibition of SDA members’ work is on view at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts through 10/31/15 or via a special edition print catalog. View installation shots and award winners of this unprecedented benefit of membership plus link for ordering your own catalog to savor or give. …

We’ve all been hearing about 3D printing – but what’s it got to do with makers working in fiber media? SDA Member Leisa Rich has a sixth sense for what’s coming next and has been exploring that connection for several years. Let her take you to one of the frontiers of fiber, here!…

Artist and educator Peg Gignoux coaches the art out of people. Her collaborators are hospitalized pediatric patients, 6th graders, teen poets, refugee children, women in rehab, homeless families, library patrons and cancer patients. You’ll cheer along with her as you view the works that have emerged from putting textile media in the hands of these diverse – and extraordinary – teams of creators….

9th International Shibori Symposium (Fall 2104) in Hangzhou, China, opened unprecedented access to Chinese textile history and practice for 250 international participants from 15 countries. Get a taste of the experience for yourself – and find out what impressions endured after this once-in-a-lifetime journey – from artist/educator Amy Putansu. …

Andrea Vail creates community weaving events where people arrive as strangers and leave as friends. Hands working together untangle social tension as diverse participants – who might not otherwise meet – sit side by side to make something remarkable. Find out how these socially-engaged art events evolved. Take part in her next one at SDA’s Made/Aware conference at Arrowmont in October!…

Back in the 1980s, artist/composer Ray Pierotti met and fell in love with Inkodye for the way it rendered transparency in his sound-inspired work. Through thick and thin (and a recent name change to Lumi/Inkodye), he’s become a master at manipulating its special effects. Let his ethereal, soulful work compel you to explore this unique solar-powered dye yourself…….