Contemporary Fiber Exhibit at the Santa Cruz Art League

Contemporary Fiber Arts Exhibit at the Santa Cruz Art League.

Contemporary Fiber Arts Exhibit at the Santa Cruz Art League.

As our town’s longest standing arts organization, the Santa Cruz Art League has been a steadfast center for supporting and educating artists and the visiting public for 97 years. The SCAL has a theater, a classroom, and an art gallery providing admission free exhibitions. In addition to presenting artwork by our regional community, the league also provides opportunities for out-of-towners to have their work displayed by hosting events that share the broad range of work being created nationwide.

The exhibit shows a broad range of nationwide fiber work.

The exhibit shows a broad range of nationwide fiber work.

SCAL is currently hosting a Contemporary Fiber Exhibit featuring entries by artists spanning across the country. As one of the organization’s various Juried Shows, this unique exhibit shares the best fiber work the nation has to offer. To be eligible, artists entered work made only of an actual fiber material, or some other medium referencing traditional fiber and/or textile techniques, such as woven metal, dimensional and free-standing works.

"Turn It Around" by Darlene Boyd. Hand made paper, jute, string, bamboo, copper.

“Turn It Around” by Darlene Boyd. Hand made paper, jute, string, bamboo, copper.

The league provided the following inspiration to submitting artists: “As an expressive medium, fiber and textiles encompass a broad arena: art and craftsmanship, a delicate marriage of form and function, dimensionality ranging from gossamer thinness to structurally solid forms that fully occupy 3-D spaces.” Artists were encouraged to experiment with testing boundaries without “losing sight of the content in art that ultimately speaks to the viewer”.

"Flow" by Laurie McCann. Collaborative piece: JoAnn Witt, Joanna Holt, Nora Grant, Isabel Severi.

“Flow” by Laurie McCann. Collaborative piece: JoAnn Witt, Joanna Holt, Nora Grant, Isabel Severi.

In true reflection of the diversity of artistic expression, the work shows a mix of medias and interpretations that explore the definition of fiber. While most of the compositions are abstract, some are objective. The dimensions vary from wall-sized work to table-top pieces. The materials range from traditional fine crafts to artistic textiles. Overall, the show reveals a blend of art, craft, culture, and concepts indicative of the scope of regional and national creativity.

"Mercury Rising by Pam Moore. Knitted lace mounted on plexiglass frame. Honorable Mention.

“Mercury Rising by Pam Moore. Knitted lace mounted on plexiglass frame. Honorable Mention.

The show has been juried by Robin Treen – an independent curator and former chief curator of the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. Treen will be awarding $1,000 for the best work. Out of the twenty-eight submissions, there have been first, second and third prize winners, as well as three honorable mentions. All work is original and created by the participating artists within the last three years, and all work is for sale.

The Contemporary Fiber Exhibit runs July 8 through August 7, 2016. For more information about the Santa Cruz Art League and their many events and exhibits, visit their website here.

The SCAL provides classes, events, and exhibitions.

The SCAL provides classes, events, and exhibitions.

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