Fiber Hawai`i Exhibition 2008  Click here for the prospectus and details.

• Exhibition Tuesday September 17 - October 11 at The Arts at Marks Garage.

• Juror is Tom Grotta of browngrotta Gallery www.browngrotta.com.

• Lecture by Tom Grotta Monday, September 15th, location TBD.

• Opening reception Thursday September 18th 5:30pm at The Arts at Marks Garage.

Check the PAST PROGRAM ARCHIVE for photos and prospectus from prior years.

The Fiber Art Exhibit is generally offered every other year. The show in 2003 was the 20th Anniversary show. This exhibition encouraged participation from artists in all media who wish to explore fiber related work. Almost 25% of our membership work with the media of fiber and the biennial Fiber Arts Exhibit affords a showcase for these craft artists. This juried exhibit sometimes includes a component for traditional ethnic works as well as contemporary styles. Jurors selected use distinctive criteria appropriate to their focus. The juror/visiting artist also presents a slide lecture about their work or developments in the field which is free and open to the public and is preceded by a reception. If appropriate, a workshop is scheduled to offer a hands-on component to this program.

The work of Hawai'i fiber craft artists, be it quilting, basketry, matting, or weaving, tends to be very conscious of place, using objects related to their specific physical and cultural environment. At times, contemporary fiber art is strongly reminiscent of the traditional. The presence of Hawaiian or Pacific content responding not only to traditional artifacts from the past, textile or other, but also to the physical environment, was both expected and pleasant. This natural learning has led to members' increased involvement with the promotion of traditional fiber arts and craft artists, including immigrants, which have suffered from not being prevalent in the public eye.

The relationship between ethnic and contemporary fiber arts and materials can be informative, inspirational, and educational, as well as, an opportunity to support, survey, and document the relationship between contemporary and traditional crafts Hawai`i Craftsmen provides a unique forum for both. Diversity of audience encourages traditional craft artists to see and participate in the exhibition.