Durango Arts Center exhibit offers a unique cross section of the best of contemporary textile art

Durango, CO – The Durango Arts Center (DAC) announced today that the DAC will present Textiles Today: Redefining the Medium, a sweeping review of contemporary textiles from internationally recognized artists including Bhakti Ziek, Mark Newport, Tom Lundberg, Carol Shinn, and Claire Verstegen. The DAC will be the only venue for this exhibition, which features a stunning collection of textiles pulled from quilting, embroidery, beading, knitting, weaving, cloth dying, printing and felting works that illustrate the fusion of fiber with various media and techniques. Curated by Ilze Aviks, the exhibit will be on view in the Barbara Conrad Gallery at the Durango Arts Center, Durango, CO from April 24 – June 2, 2012.

“We’re thrilled to bring an exhibit of this caliber to the Four Corners area,” said Sheri Rochford-Figgs, Executive Director of the Durango Arts Center. “These artists have taken textile arts into unexpected territory – conceptually, politically and using nouveau technology. We want to give visitors a glimpse into how fiber arts have moved from the conventional to the unconventional, from something functional to true works of art that are now shown in fine arts museums around the world.”

The nineteen artists who will be exhibiting push beyond the boundaries of textiles – reevaluating and using different techniques to bring fresh perspectives and approaches to their work. Whether the artist is examining the subtlety of an embellishment or woven pattern, or studying a particular coloration achieved by the use of dyes and exquisite refinement visible in these pieces, and value the innovation and explorations reflected in the work.

In addition to bringing together works of contemporary artists and educators that are influencing and redefining the art and education of textile design, the show is designed to educate, enrich, and broaden the knowledge and appreciation of contemporary textile art. In keeping with this purpose, three exhibiting artists will present lectures and offer workshops: Wendy Huhn, May 4-6, Acrylics for Textiles, Liz Axford, May 18-20, Shibori, by Gum, and Lisa Klakulak, May 24-27, The Versatility of Handmade Partial Felts. These artists have conducted workshops at such prestigious arts and crafts institutions as Penland School of Crafts, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Additional information on workshops can be accessed through the Durango Arts Center’s website www.durangoarts.org.

This exhibit offers a unique cross section of the best of contemporary textile art. The artworks promise to surprise and delight the visitors.