Influences/Influencers at Craft in America
California Fibers, a historic organization at the forefront of contemporary fiber art in Southern California, showcases the remarkable work of its current members in Influences/Influencers, currently at the Craft in America Center in Los Angeles, California, through December 2, 2023. Curated by Emily Zaiden, Craft in America’s director and curator, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the vast influences that have shaped fiber art today.
Founded five decades ago, California Fibers has a rich legacy of pushing the boundaries of fiber art. Zaiden aptly describes it as, “a historic organization that has been pivotal in advancing contemporary fiber art not only in Southern California but also across the state and far beyond. Over the years, its members have consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to innovation and creativity within the realm of fiber arts.”
Craft in America Center presents “Influences/Influencers: California Fibers”
LOS ANGELES, CA .- California has driven the fiber arts since the mid 20th Century. Countless schools, college programs, workshops, guilds, and artist collectives have led experimentation and development of this artistic medium. The desire to formulate a language for sculpture and expression through fiber has been a core driving force. The artists in this exhibition are part of a historic organization that has been at the forefront of contemporary fiber art in Southern California, across the state, and far beyond. The work in this exhibition represents some of the vast influences that are shaping fiber art today. It is simultaneously a celebration of how fiber has become a beam of influence on the broader contemporary art world in recent years.
Craft Library Update: Special Collections + Back to School with Craft in America
Despite these last couple weeks of lingering heat, things are feeling very autumnal and back-to-school at the Craft Center. Our Craft in Schools team led by (me) Sam Sermeño and LAUSD school partnerships have kicked into full force as we host teaching-artist workshops, art tours, and field trips.
Lately, during field trips curious students have been asking me about our significant craft-art library, so we figure now is a good time to share some library announcements.
Special Collections
All are welcome to visit and browse our newly added Special Collections materials. Over the summer, thanks to generous art and literary patrons, we’ve integrated and catalogued four cubic feet of notable library donations. These recently added materials include books now blended into our general Dewey-Decimal organized shelves; along with a variety of niche art catalogs and unique artist paper ephemera found in our “Special Collections” labeled magazine boxes.
As always, we invite all craft enthusiasts and the wider public to enjoy our current art exhibitions and to browse our in-house library. We’re happy to collaborate with artists, curators, and fellow art nerds in general craft research and information resourcing as well. Currently, our gallery/library space (previewed below) features an interactive/browsable display of magazines, books, and manuals around fiber arts connected to the work of our Fall 2023 Influences-Influencers: California Fibers Exhibition.
The library is open to the public: Tuesday – Saturday, from noon to 6pm.
The Craft in America Center Library includes over 3000 books, exhibition catalogs, and more than 2000 periodicals dedicated to the art of craft and related topics.
For further library or Craft in Schools inquiry, please visit our Library page or contact Education Programs and Library lead sam@craftinamerica.org
The Arts Intel Report: Influences / Influencers
Airmail News: The Arts Intel Report
California has been a leader in fiber arts—weaving, quilting, embroidery, and more—since the mid–20th century. The artists gathered in this exhibition are members of the close-knit and collaborative group California Fibers, which was founded in 1970. Over decades they have sculpted fiber art into a serious contemporary medium—a discipline that is now taught in colleges and collectives, and that inspires artists in other mediums. Wool, wire, wicker. Whatever can be loomed, stitched, or woven can become a vibrant means of expression.
—Isabella Carter