Hawaii Craftsmen announces its biennial juried art exhibition, “Fiber Hawaii 2022: In of or About Fiber” that will run from June 8 – July 1, 2022 at the Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii. Art works in any medium “in, of or about Fiber” will be accepted in person from 10 AM- 12 Noon on the entry day Saturday, June 4 at the Downtown Art Center, Second Floor Exhibition Hall.
At the Beginning
In 1982, two talented and enthusiastic young artists at the University of Hawai‘i Mānoa (UHM), Elizabeth Train and Shore (Brenner) Lipsher, envisioned an exhibition that would recognize the strength and diversity of Hawai‘i artists working in the contemporary field of fiber art as well as encourage artists working in other disciplines to reinterpret their work with a fiber reference or sensibility. The UHM Art Department was alive with potential. The possibilities were extensive; experimentation was encouraged and exciting.
With Liz’s position as Hawai‘i Craftsmen President and Shore’s position as a UHM Associate Professor of Weaving, they were in a position to make this happen. Proactive, in addition to advertising this new juried exhibition, they made the challenge personal by sending letters to Hawai‘i artists working in non-fiber art disciplines to attract a wide variety of artwork.
A unique aspect of Fiber Hawai‘i is Liz and Shore’s vision that the exhibition should include work that not only utilizes fiber materials and/or techniques but also work that refers to the intangible idea of fiber and/or textiles in a more general or conceptual sense.
Like makers in other craft-based traditions, post-WWII weavers began using their materials in non-functional, non-objective ways and incorporating abstract concepts and forms. The term Fiber Art was first used in the 1950s to recognize this experimental work, and in the 1960s and 70s fiber art began to establish itself in the international art world with large-scale fiber-based sculpture and wall pieces appearing in galleries and exhibitions.“Beyond Craft: The Art of Fabric”, published in 1972, was instrumental in publicizing this experimentation and inspiring artists and weavers.
Liz and Shore saw Fiber Hawai‘i as a Hawai‘i-based natural response to these dramatic new approaches to working with traditional materials that were establishing fiber art as a distinct category of art. They wanted to be part of the process and gathered together a group of volunteers to make it happen.
As Fiber Hawai‘i evolves, fiber as media and technique as well as fiber as idea will continue to be at the center of this exhibition. Traditional materials, techniques, and themes will continue to be the basis and heritage of fiber art. Reinterpretation, plus new techniques and materials, and a changing social paradigm will provide vibrant and relevant possibilities for this engaging form of art- making.
Fiber Hawai‘i encourages participation from artists in all media who wish to explore fiber related work, including traditional and non-traditional media such as glass, clay, wood, film, metal, paper, basketry, stitchery, fashion, surface design, wearable art, video, photography, 2d, 3-d , and computer based presentations.
REROSPECTIVE ARTISTS
Retrospective artists represent those who have participated in and organized Fiber Hawai‘i over the past 40 years. Shore, Jenny and Ethel have passed away, but their artwork lives on. Junko Sato Pollack juried twice, 1999 and 2020. Former UHM Fiber Program Chair Pat Hickman juried in 2006 and sponsors an award in memory of Jenny Matsuda.
A look back at works from the late 1970’s to early 2000’s may serve as inspiration for current fiber artists and a nostalgic memory for those of us who remember the way we were.
Ann Asakura |  Ethel & Edward Aotani |
 Reiko Brandon |
Patricia Greene |
Linda Hee |
Pat Hickman |
Shore (Brenner) Lipsher |
Shore (Brenner) Lipsher |
Jennifer Matsuda |
Marcia Morse |
Junko Sato Pollack |
Gail Toma |
Liz Train |
Diana Tusher |
Carol Yotsuda |
“Fiber Hawaii” began as a biennial event in 1982. The Fiber Hawaii exhibit has a 40 year history of challenging artists of all media to create works “In, Of or About Fiber". Artists of any craft media are invited to consider making artwork with a fiber sensibility. Fiber and textile techniques may be thought of as an idea as well as a media. Past exhibits have included woven glass or clay, wood and metal as well as works in more traditional fiber media such as weavings, handmade paper, basketry, stitchery, quilts, batik, textile design, kapa. Mixed media, wearable art and installation pieces are also eligible for entry.
Entries are open to statewide participants but neighbor islanders must submit photos for digital jurying or mail their work to O‘ahu for in person jurying.
Prospectus & Entry InformationCONDITIONS AND DISPLAY REGULATIONS The installation committee will install all accepted artworks. Entries that pose an unusual installation challenge may be rejected or require the artist’s assistance. Artists with extremely delicate or unwieldy entries should make separate arrangements for delivery, handling, and pick-up of their artwork. We love challenges, but if your entry exceeds 6’ on any side, weighs more than 150 lbs. or requires more than 2 people to handle please check in with your exhibition chair before you enter your work. Extreme care will be taken in handling all artwork; however, Hawai‘i Craftsmen and Downtown Art Center assume no responsibility for loss or damage to artworks on display or in transit beyond a $50 liability limit no matter how such damage may have been sustained. All accepted entries will be displayed at the owner’s risk. Accepted entries must remain in the exhibition for the show’s duration and are subject to photographic reproduction for educational and publicity purposes. Artists are encouraged to offer their entries for sale. Hawai‘i Craftsmen will retain a sales commission of 40% for members or 50% for non members. Oʻahu artists are required to sit one shift per accepted piece during the show, find a substitute, or pay a $30/shift sitter’s fee. Artists failing to show up for their designated shift must pay a $50 no show fee. Entrants must agree to all terms stated in the prospectus and online registration to participate.
ELIGIBILITY AND FEES All artists are invited to submit entries to “IN, OF or ABOUT Fiber”, including wearables. Any craft media will be accepted for jurying. Work previously exhibited in a juried show on Oahu or at DAC is ineligible. Entries must be of original design and created within the last two years. Fees are as follows: Hawaii Craftsmen Members: $25 for 1 entry Nonmembers: $75 for 1 entry Additional entries: $10 per additional entry Participants may join Hawai‘i Craftsmen at entry time to take advantage of the member’s entry fee. HC is supported in part by membership dues. Membership dues: Seniors $30; Students (w/ valid ID) $25; Individual $50; Family (up to 2 parents, and children living with the same address $75. We will notify accepted artists by email Awards will be given.
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED PAYMENT MAY BE MADE ONLINE OR BY MAIL. FOR QUESTIONS OR ASSISTANCE WITH REGISTRATION PLEASE EMAIL US AT INFO@HAWAIICRAFTSMEN.ORG
SHIPPING PROCEDURES Neighbor island artists have the option of having their work juried by photograph or mailing the work for jurying in person. Artists who wish to submit photos for jurying may submit 2 -3 photos of the work by May 23. Accepted entries can then be mailed to the Downtown Art Center to arrive by June 3rd. Artists who prefer to have their work juried in person can mail their work to the DAC to arrive on or before June 3rd. All work must be mailed in sturdy reusable containers with packing instructions. Hawai‘i Craftsmen will be responsible for the cost of return shipping, including standard insurance damage protection up to $50 liability per piece. Artists are encouraged to request supplemental insurance by indicating that on their return documents, and will be invoiced by Hawai‘i Craftsmen for the actual cost of the insurance. Return shipping carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, or Young Brothers, will be chosen at the discretion of Hawai‘i Craftsmen. Work must be received on or before June 3, 2022 in order to be considered for jurying. Shipping address: DOWNTOWN ART CENTER You must include a completely filled out return label or we cannot ship your work back to you. You must include weight and dimensions with the return label. All submissions must be packed and sent in a sturdy reusable container / packing materials and include clearly written packing instructions.
ACCEPTED ARTIST RESUMES A book of artist resumes or statements will be available for gallery visitors. All accepted artists should provide a one page document with artist information, letter-sized standard format only. Hard copy is preferable, or email it as a PDF file to info@hawaiicraftsmen.org Subject line FIBER HAWAII Artist Statement. Please submit your artist statement by June 6.
For general inquiries or more information, please contact exhibition chair. Liz Train, lizabethtrain@hotmail.com | ExhibitINTAKE OF REGISTERED WORK JUNE 4, 10 AM – 12 NOON DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
ENTRIES NOT ACCEPTED MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON ON RETURN OF ACCEPTED WORK AT THE END IF THE SHOW WILL BE ON DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
OPENING RECEPTION JUNE 10, 5:30 - 8PM FIRST FRIDAY CLOSING RECEPTION JULY 1ST, 5:30 - 8PM DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
EXHIBITION DATES JUNE 8 – JULY 1, 2022 DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
Juror Amos KotomoriThe juror for Fiber Hawaii 2022 will be well known fashion designer and creative consultant, Amos Kotomori. He studied both ceramics and textile design at the University of Hawaii and has a master’s degree in Allied Arts and Education from the University of Oregon. He is most well-known for his career in fashion design. His awards include the Los Angeles Film Award for Best Costumes and Best Production Design 2015, Hawaii Federation of Advertising Pele Awards, Hawaii Governor’s Fashion Award for Stylist of the Year 2014, Rockefeller Fellowship Recipient, and 3 time Hawaii Fashion Designer of the Year. Most recently he has been crafting a line of women’s wear and jewelry for Saks Fifth Avenue featuring his signature silk scarves benefiting the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaiian Humane Society, Kapiolani Women’s Center and RO Foundation.
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HAWAII CRAFTSMEN IS SUPPORTED BY THE HAWAI’I STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS, THE HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, THE ATHERTON FAMILY FOUNDATION, THE COOKE FOUNDATION, THE MCINERNY FOUNDATION, THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, THE LAILA TWIGG-SMITH ART FUND, SEVERAL PRIVATE FAMILY FOUNDATIONS AND OUR MEMBERS
HAWAI‘I CRAFTSMEN 1110 NUUANU AVE, HONOLULU, HI 96817 • info@hawaiicraftsmen.org • 808-521-3282