“Redwood Tree” by Nadine Cloutier (far left) and “Les Fleurs du Mal” by Anne Flora (right) are examples of the type of work being shown in the Michigan League of Handweavers’ 22nd Biennial of Textile Arts, running September 7 through October 16 at the Anton Art Center.
Advertising
MOUNT CLEMENS – Felt, cord, looms and more take center stage at the Anton Art Center’s latest show.
The Michigan League of Handweavers’ 22nd Biennial Textile Arts Exhibition will be held on the ground floor of the Anton Art Center from Saturday, September 7, through Monday, October 16. After being featured in various galleries for over 40 years, this is the first time that the Anton Art Center has hosted the League’s premier exhibition.
“Making things out of fiber goes back as far as human history,” said Stephanie Hazzard, Anton Art Center’s exhibition director. “There is a history of weaving to make things we need; basket weaving is a traditional art form, as is making clothing, blankets and the like out of fiber. Although it is quite an old art form, this exhibition will showcase the use of this medium in an artistic way. The pieces may use fiber to create images or designs, or a mix of both to create something truly unique.”
Nearly 50 fiber art pieces by 36 artists from the Handloom Weavers League will be on display. Most of the artists are from Michigan, with some from Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Ontario.
Textile art is divided into the categories of functional and non-functional works. Functional works are pieces woven and sewn into garments such as scarves, ponchos and hats, while non-functional pieces are purely aesthetic works.
“We have pieces as small as three inches, like the smallest piece in the exhibition, all the way up to about 135 inches,” Hazzard said. “There are a few pieces that are very large, others have round shapes. Some are three-dimensional and stand on pedestals, others will be attached to the wall as wall hangings. They will take the form of various textile art works, such as needle felting, embroidery and classic types of crochet and knitting. A lot of the work is done on a loom using hand weaving, so we’re talking about things that are all inherently handmade; some are made using a special tool that develops a particular pattern.”
Susan Moran, a textile artist and faculty member at Wayne State University and the College for Creative Studies, was hired by the Michigan League of Handweavers to judge the exhibition.
“I am inspired and encouraged by the quality of work submitted for this exhibition,” Moran said via email. “It is wonderful to see the community of people who value handmade work flourishing. In so many of these fiber pieces, I have found joy and devotion to materials, to exploring ideas, to mastering the craft, and to spending time intentionally.”
An exhibition reception will be held on Saturday, September 7, from 2 to 4 p.m., with Moran and select artists participating in a panel discussion. Artists from the Michigan League of Handweavers will be present in the galley on Saturday to help guests operate a loom and encourage the public to add to a piece created during the course of the exhibition.
For more information about the Anton Art Center, visit theartcenter.org.
The center is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.
You might also be interested in
Advertising
