Since 1967, the Fiberart International has been produced through the enormously diligent efforts of Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh members. This year, for the 25th iteration we had the opportunity to work closely with Contemporary Craft and they’ve done a beautiful job of producing FI2025.
To be clear, Fiberart International remains a guild entity. Only the implementation of the exhibition has been granted to Contemporary Craft and only for this upcoming edition.
This decision wasn’t made lightly. Months of work and planning by a steering committee of long-time FGP members and FI past directors worked with the leaders at CC and BHA to come up with a Memorandum of Understanding and set FI2025 in motion.
FI is an undertaking of gargantuan proportions. It is a three-year cycle of work that restarts for the next one as soon as the show is hung. Over the years this undertaking has stretched the limits of our member volunteer capacity. For the steering committee and the FGP board members who were all part of crafting the FI2025 plan, sustaining this exhibition by enlisting long-time partner organization Contemporary Craft, while keeping the most enriching FGP member opportunities was central to the decision making process.
I’m happy to report that as promised, CC has led the effort for FI25 with incredible respect and care. They have handled all of the many exhibition components with excellence and set us up for success and opportunity.
Fiberart International 2025 will be on view June 6 – August 30, 2025 at Contemporary Craft, and June 20 – August 30, 2025 at Brew House Arts.
Volunteer Opportunities for Fiberart International 2025
- Artwork Inspection at Contemporary Craft + Brew House Arts
- Dates: Late April at CC, June 9-12 at BHA (exact dates/times TBD)
- Time Commitment: 3-4 days, 4 hours per day
- Volunteers Needed: 3 for CC, 4 for BHA
- Skills: Patience, ability to follow/take direction, organized, positive attitude.
- Details: Volunteers will assist with inspecting artwork delivered by the 18 artists participating in the CC show and the . CC staff members Justin and Yu-San will lead the effort and guide the volunteers.
- Docents (CC + BHA)
- Dates: Planning May – June, Tours June – August 2025
- Time Commitment: 1-2 hours, 2x per month on a weekend, 10 hours preparation work TBD.
- Volunteers Needed: 4-5
- Skills: Presentation & facilitation skills, ability to engage with diverse audiences, and knowledge of the artwork.
- Details: Docents will organize a binder of artist and artwork information and lead tours throughout the run of the exhibition. In past years, 2-3 tours a month on a weekend day were scheduled.
- Artist Welcome Reception
- Dates: June 19, 5 PM – 9 PM
- Time Commitment: ~20 hrs planning, 6 hrs event, ~10 hrs swag bags
- Volunteers Needed: 5
- Skills: Event planning, hosting, facilitating, and organizing.
- Details: Held the day before the FI opening, designed to warmly welcome artists from around the world to Pittsburgh, offers an opportunity for artists to meet each other, eat, relax and settle in, ahead of the exhibition.This is a catered event and swag bags are often assembled for each artist.
- Awards
- Dates: Anytime
- Details: Awards for the Fiberart International are supported by member contributions.
- Awards include: Louetta Heindl Kambic Award for Outstanding Weaving, Marianne Kor Award for Distinguished International Entry, Janet Bass Award for Outstanding Creativity and Innovation, Hannah Streefkerk Award for Appreciation of the Natural Environment, Past Directors Award and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall.
- Support by Donating!
There will be more to come but don’t hesitate to jump on these! Email to claim your spot now.
Other FAQs
Will there be a catalog? Yes! 200 copies will be printed. Each artist gets a free copy. FGP will receive 5 free copies and we will have a published statement in the catalog.
Will there be a Forum? Sort of! CC & BHA have planned artist-led guided tours in the galleries for Saturday June 21st from 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM at CC and 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM. There is a break when we would typically do a keynote speaker and lunch. If there is a group of members who wants to lead an effort to coordinate lunch + keynote address send us an email.
Will there be shuttles? Yes! Shuttles between CC & BHA will be available for the opening reception on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM (first scheduled at 6:15 pm, last schedule around 7:45 pm)
Will there be programs? Yes! Keep an eye on the FGP website for upcoming dates.
Are there FGP members in the show? HECK YEAH THERE ARE! Lots of locals, too.
Pittsburgh Artists
Carolyn Carson (@ CC)
Pamela Bice (@BHA)
Ashley Cecil (@BHA)
Akudzwe Elsie Chiwa (@BHA)
Bulumko Mbete (@BHA)
Regional Artists (within 3 hours drive)
Cynthia Martinez (Hudson, OH) (@CC)
Britny Wainwright (Columbus, OH) (@CC)
Tabeena Wani (Athens, OH) (@BHA)
What else is there? You tell us! Email to be included in near-future FI planning groups.
Join us!
Staci Offutt, FGP President 2024-2025
