Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor

How do you define Fiber Arts?
It is art that’s made from some form of fibrous material. It could be yarn, it could be fabric, it could be wire, hand-made paper; it can even be small sticks of wood. It’s a very broad field in many ways.

Are we talking about practical things like clothing and ornamentation or art that’s meant to be displayed like other forms of arts?
I would say both. There are practical things like unique baskets, for instance, but it’s also art that can be framed and displayed on a wall to enjoy. Today, there are a lot of contemporary artists who are working with really exciting materials, sometimes on a giant scale. For instance, Janet Eichelmann is an artist who makes large wire installations that are city-bloc scale.

Is wire considered a fiber?
Yes, these are long skinny things. There are all kinds of fiber – plastic fiber, silk fiber, cotton fiber…

Could you describe your own work?
I am an art quilter, so I make, basically, paintings made of textiles. It’s wall art like any painting. I am inspired by folk art and digital art. Most of my fabric is designed on my iPad.  So, the fabric is designed digitally and then printed commercially in small quantities and then used to create the “Paintings.”

How did you become interested in this kind of art?
I took classes at the Southwest School of Art way back when I was working as a journalist at the San Antonio Light. I wanted something that was not word related. I wanted something that exercised the visual part of my brain, so I took surface design classes and dyeing and printing classes. BTW, I was an art major at Trinity and graduated with a degree in studio art.

Let’s talk about the current exhibit – “50 Years of Fiber.” How many artists and how many artworks are included?
For this show we decided to have only one piece per artist. So, we have 38 artists and 38 pieces of art, including weavings, art quilts, garments, mixed media works and sculptures. Then we also have a Legacy Exhibit that includes pieces from past exhibits- award winners or other significant entries – going back to the 1970s.

When did you join the Fiber Artists of San Antonio organization?
Probably around 1990. The goal of the organization is to exhibit and promote fiber art but also to educate the public about fiber arts the way your article is doing now. Also, we support the professionals in the field, as well as the amateurs who love fiber but are not planning to make a living doing it. We presently have a membership of 130, I believe. We had 150, but like so many organizations, we are still recovering from the pandemic. We meet at the San Antonio Garden Center once a month.

Is the exhibit open for viewing every day?
It’s open on week days. But on weekends it will be open by appointment only. I’ll be happy to make arrangements for people who would like to see it on weekends, especially for groups.
I think people will have a better understanding of fiber arts after seeing this exhibit. We have such a range of fiber media: weaving, some sculptural pieces made out of graphs and photographs, a robe made from an Army uniform that’s embroidered with all the songs from the Christian lexicon, songs about marching into battle, and so much more.

Are all the artworks for sale?
Not all them, but many are.

Are you hoping your work will sell?
Oh, it would be nice to sell it. It’s a big piece, 8’x 6’ and it depicts what we went through during the pandemic. It’s called “2020”

Are there some famous examples of fiber art that people can see, in a museum or in any public space?
Nick Cave is a famous artist from Chicago. He had work exhibited here at the McNay, and at SAMA, too, I believe. The Witte has a big textile and fiber art collection. Even Fiesta Gowns (at the Witte) are fiber art.

You also teach fiber art classes. Are any coming up?
I’ll be teaching two classes in early 2023 at the Southwest School of Art. And I also teach online.
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“50 Years of Fiber – Art Exhibit” was curated by Paula Owens, the former president of the Southwest School of Art, and it was open to artists from across the U.S. The three top winners are Marianne Williamson, from California; Debra Disman, also from California, and Carolyn Burwell, from Oklahoma.
The show will be on view through Dec. 9 at the Semmes Gallery, Kelso Art Center, on the campus of the Incarnate Word University. Open weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, contact susiemonday@gmail.com