The Maude Kerns Art Center is honored to present Filaments: Weaving Guilds of Oregon, opening on Friday, August 4 and on display through Friday, August 25. The exhibit is organized by the Weaving Guilds of Oregon (WeGO), a nonprofit statewide association of weaving, spinning, and related fiber art guilds that was formed in 1982. “Filaments” features the juried work of over 30 fiber artists.
The theme of the show is filaments, and the exhibit celebrates the materials used by weavers and fiber artists. “Filaments: Weaving Guilds of Oregon” includes fine examples of woven wall hangings, shawls, wraps, scarves, table runners, placemats, pillows, blankets, a multi-colored woven coat, and more. The public is invited to the Opening Reception on Friday, August 4, from 5 – 7 pm.
“Filaments” was juried by Barbara Setsu Pickett, a University of Oregon Associate Professor Emerita and an internationally renowned fiber artist. Pickett chose from a wide array of fiber works created by weavers, dyers, felters, and fiber artists from all parts of Oregon. Self-care is an important motif that Pickett recognized in the fiber artworks, which provide both tactile shelter and comfort. Many pieces are colored with natural dyes and created with fibers from local surroundings. The artists share an appreciation - even a reverence - for the natural world. Pickett says: “To me [these fiber artworks] are reminders that our beautiful planet is under great stress and needs our immediate care. A sense of impermanence, of transformation, and emergence resonated in many works.” The public is invited to a ”Filaments” Juror Talk with Barbara Setsu Pickett on Saturday, August 19, from 2 – 3 pm.
Local members of the Eugene Weavers Guild represent over a third of the artists participating in the exhibit. Three of the six awards for work in “Filaments” were given to local artists. The “Best Use of Color & Design” was awarded to Diane Pigg for Shades of Oregon; “Best Technical Excellence” went to John Morse for Winter Diamonds; and the “Complex Weavers Award” was given to Susannah Day for Tyger.
In conjunction with “Filaments: Weaving Guilds of Oregon,” a Free Weaving Activity is offered on two consecutive Saturdays, August 5 and August 12, from 1 – 3 pm.
