Daniel Fountain "Nest" (detail)

SDA Blog

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The holidays are fast-approaching and what better gift to give than a book on textiles? Surface Design Association presents our countdown spotlighting some of our favorite books that came out in 2019–perfect for any fibers fan. Whether you’re into contemporary approaches, technical skills, or project ideas, this list has got you covered! “Fibershed: Growing a …

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Surface Design Association is excited to announce “Marigolds & Unicorns,” our Winter 2019 edition of Surface Design Journal! This Journal features imagery and articles all focusing on plants and animals represented in textile art. “Humans, out of necessity and desire, have cultivated a (mostly) symbiotic relationship with the flora and fauna that cohabitate this planet. …

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Can a parking garage be cinematic? Boston-based architecture studio, French 2D, proves that everyday architectures—such as parking garages—can deliver celluloid effects. Located in the Kendall Square neighborhood of Cambridge, Massachusetts, an existing parking structure is covered in a bold, graphic facade system comprised of a tension-frame and mesh fabric—a building you can look at and …

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Water addresses issues of conservation and climate change while embracing water’s evocative qualities and formal beauty. The exhibition brings together an exceptional group of contemporary artists whose work is inspired by the expressive possibilities of water. Located Cedarburg, Wisconsin, a region rich with fresh water, aims to bring attention to this valuable, yet vulnerable, resource through …

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Two weeks after the SDA conference, Beyond the Surface, in St. Louis, Missouri, I am still reminiscing about it and how much I enjoyed interacting with new acquaintances, renewing friendships with friends from past conferences, and SDA-related happenings. Hats off to conference planners, as events, exhibits, and workshops were so varied, well organized, and in …

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Lenore Tawney (1907–2007) was an influential figure in the postwar fiber arts movement. With impactful and groundbreaking work that continues to reverberate today, Tawney is known for her monumental sculptural weavings. Her practice also included drawing, collage, and assemblage. Tawney’s life’s work, dating from circa 1946-1997, will be the subject of a concurrent four-exhibition series, …

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Surface Design Association is excited to announce “Soft Borders” our Fall 2019 International Exhibition in Print. Juried by Monika Auch and Elizabeth Kozlowski, this exciting edition features seven award winners as well as twenty featured artists from all over the world. As Elizabeth states in her Editorial,  “Interpretations ranged from the use of maps and …

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Without Boundaries: Fiber Sculptures and Paintings by Women Artists is a one-stop-shop exhibition, and I liked it. Packaged in a single gallery, this is as smart and as suck-me-in a show as I have seen in a while. With material, color, and scale at the forefront, it establishes a visual matrix for understanding the linkage …

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Closing out SDA’s Outstanding Students Award Winners is our third, and final, top-notch gallery of student work featuring innovation within the field of fibers and textiles. All were nominated by the chair of their department, all winners receive a free digital membership for the year. For more information check out Outstanding Student Awards https://test.surfacedesign.org/members/awards-grants/…

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This week presents our second batch of SDA’s Outstanding Students Award Winners and they will continue the streak of innovation within the field of fibers and textiles. Nominated by the chair of their department, all winners receive a free digital membership for the year. For more information check out Outstanding Student Awards https://test.surfacedesign.org/members/awards-grants/…

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