The term “outsider art” refers to art which is learned in a setting outside the formal academic arena. In The State of Hand Stitch: New Embroidery by Texas Artists, an exhibition at UTSA (1604 Campus) through August 9, 2019, many of the 11 participating fiber artists were taught to embroider at a mother’s or grandmother’s …

The winners of Surface Design Association’s Outstanding Students Awards were announced this past May, and what an amazing group emerging professional work we received. All the student’s work features innovation within the field of fibers and textiles and is part of a cohesive and professionally accomplished body of work. With 36 winners (both nationally and …

There is a saying, “The one who dies with the most fabric wins,” but whether one is a hoarder, collector, or avid fan of fabric there is a good chance things are being put to good use! My latest installation piece, MicroFiberOrganism​,​ is comprised of countless yards of remnants, scraps, bits, and upcycled clothing sewn …

 “We live for books. A sweet mission in this world dominated by disorder and decay.” ― Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose In today’s era of immediate gratification and hi-speed internet, where the word has become tantamount to extinction, shortened to the barest of acronyms and further replaced by emojis and gifs, paper collage artist Meg …

This Friday Fibers Roundup looks at how fibers and textiles have made their way into the world of entertainment and video production. From stop-motion videos to animation, textiles have been getting their share in the limelight recently. 1) Purl, Pixar’s newest short film, makes a bold statement about toxic masculinity in the workplace. Its message …

Surface Design Association is excited to announce “Fringe: On the Edge of Fiber”, our Summer 2019 edition of Surface Design Journal! This Journal explores and expands the traditional boundaries of fiber arts with individuals and practices once relegated to the edges, now leading their respective fields in terms of innovation and intellect. Here’s a preview …

An exhibition of work by Susan Iverson titled The Color of No opened at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond on Friday, April 12 and closed June 2nd. Iverson is an artist and master weaver, known for her innovative approach to tapestry. She taught in Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Craft + Material Studies for …

This edition of Friday Fibers Roundup looks at the history of various color and how many professional craftspeople are making work with bright and vibrant hues. 1) “Indigo, Ash, and Time mark Nigeria’s Centuries-old Dye Pits” by Cara Anna looks at how the dye pits in Nigeria’s ancient northern city of Kano are said to …

Drawing on the Victoria and Albert Museum’s world-class collection of Indian textiles, The Indian Textile Sourcebook: Patterns and Techniques (Thames & Hudson, 2019) is a beautiful collection of images that feature a wide variety of textile designs, techniques, and colors. It includes many close-up shots of the reverse of fabrics allowing readers to see precisely …

HALI London—the first festival in London devoted to the art and history of textiles—takes place June 24–30, 2019. At a time when museums and art lovers are increasingly turning to textiles as the key to unravelling complex cultural narratives, this festival offers a chance to discover how textiles have been, and continue to be, an …