Influences/Influencers: California Fibers

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.

Established in 1970, California Fibers started in San Diego as a work study group for the professional advancement of member artists. These years were an exuberant time when internationally, fiber artists were moving beyond historic practices into new realms of dimensionality, scale, and volume. Their unprecedented work embodied a vitality to move into the present and future through an understanding of traditional material and process. Female artists were lead voices in pursuit of this craft. They formed an entirely new field for contemporary art.

Echoing the principles of their medium, California Fibers was, and is, an intermeshed network of artists. They work in a range of fiber disciplines and techniques including weaving, quilting, embroidery, and basketry, which keeps their creative conversation expansive and diverse. This connectedness among artists and the collective spirit, rare among other parts of the art world, has helped push the medium forward. The organization is one of the longest running artist groups in the country. We are pleased to present this exhibition that showcases the breadth of their influential and innovative work.

Participating Artists

Sandy Abrams • Olivia Batchelder • Charlotte Bird • Ashley V. Blalock • Carrie Burckle • Marilyn Mckenzie Chaffee • Ben Cuevas • Doshi • Polly Jacobs Giacchina • Lydia Tjioe Hall • Susan Henry • Annette Heully • Anifaye Korngute • Kathy Nida • Liz Oliver • Marty O • Michael F. Rohde • Aneesa Shami Zizzo • Rebecca Smith • Cameron Taylor-Brown • Elise Vazelakis • Debra Weiss • Peggy Wiedemann

Virtual Gallery

Click and drag, or use your arrow keys, to see a 360º view of the virtual space, including tags with object information and images.

Craft in America, Kathy Nida
Kathy Nida, And then there was one, 2016
Craft in America, Lydia Tjioe Hall
Lydia Tjioe Hall, Nesting Houses, 2023 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Ashley V. Blalock
Ashley V. Blalock, Home Bound
Craft in America, Annette Heully
Annette Heully, Weight Of Change – Red Small, 2013
Craft in America, Marilyn McKenzie-Chaffe
Marilyn McKenzie-Chaffe, Rainy Day Reflection, 2023
Craft in America, Charlotte Bird
Charlotte Bird, Janus, 2020
Craft in America, Olivia Batchelder
Olivia Batchelder, Glittering Detail of our Cosmos, 2022
Craft in America
Doshi, Can you hear the wind?, 2022
Craft in America, Cameron Taylor-Brown
Cameron Taylor-Brown, Reflections/North Lake #2, Eastern Sierra, CA, 2023 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Liz Oliver
Liz Oliver, Flowing Canyon, 2023 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Peggy Wiedemann
Peggy Wiedemann, Elements, 2020 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Debra Weiss
Debra Weiss, Mae watches over the homestead, 2022, 2022 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Michael Rohde, Birnalese Sonnet. 2019
Michael Rohde, Birnalese Sonnet. 2019
Craft in America, Carrie Burckle
Carrie Burckle, (en) gendered vessel, 2022
Craft in America, Ben Cuevas
Ben Cuevas, Reveal Conceal
Craft in America, Marty O
Marty O, Pill of Rights #2, 2023
Craft in America, Rita Zurrell
Rita Zurrell, Refuge, 2015 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Rita Zurrell
Rita Zurrell, Refuge, 2015 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Rita Zurrell
Rita Zurrell, Untitled (Wine-colored Necklace), c. 1990s Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Aneesa Shami Zizzo
Aneesa Shami Zizzo, Mirage, 2019 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Mary Jane Leland
Mary Jane Leland, Untitled, c. 1959 and Aura Pods, 1959 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Sandy Abrams,
Sandy Abrams, Seeking Asylum, 2022 Photo: Madison Metro
Jane Dunnewold, Craft in America
Jane Dunnewold, Visionary, 2022 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Zandra Rhodes
Zandra Rhodes, Tunic, c. 2005 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Susan Henry
Susan Henry, Vortex II, 2022 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Elise Vazelakis
Elise Vazelakis, Exposed VIII, 2021 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Estelle Carlson
Estelle Carlson, Long Vest, c. 1990s Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Estelle Carlson
Estelle Carlson, Long Vest, c. 1990s Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Anifaye Korngute
Anifaye Korngute, They Call Me Mellow Yellow, 2023 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Anifaye Korngute
Anifaye Korngute, They Call Me Mellow Yellow, 2023 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Rebecca Smith
Rebecca Smith, After Lenore, 2021 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Rebecca Smith
Rebecca Smith, After Lenore, 2021 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Joan F. Austin
Joan F. Austin, Sea Flower, 2000 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Joan F. Austin
Joan F. Austin, Star Light Series, 1986 Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Carol Shaw-Sutton
Carol Shaw-Sutton, Being and Becoming, 2010-2012

The Craft in America Center is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture.