Fiberart international – Page 2 – FiberArts Guild of Pittsburgh

Interview with Penny Mateer

May 26, 2021May 26, 2021

With the new exhibition coming up we wanted to check on artists who participated in previous exhibitions, see what they are up to now and how participating in Fiberart International impacted them. If you are a previous Fiberart International participant and you would like to update the community on the happenings in your life, please contact Katie Bulova at bulovakatie@gmail.com

Written by Katie Bulova

Penny Mateer – Fiberart International 2010 and 2016

The benefit of living in a small city such as Pittsburgh, home to the Fiberart International, is that very often, your circles overlap with other circles. I met Penny Mateer for the first time on a beautiful spring day, sitting distanced, in the sun, in a backyard urban garden. Within five minutes, we had established two overlapping connections in public health work.

Interview with Erin Miller

May 26, 2021May 13, 2021

Written by Katie Bulova

Erin Miller – Fiberart International 2016

“We are all finding news way of connecting”

These are the words that Erin Miller spoke as she met with me for the first time over Zoom. Erin is a fiber artist who concentrates her practice on cloth and color. She was in a brightly lit studio in Kentucky on Berea College’s campus. I was in a makeshift basement studio in Pittsburgh with the washing machine running in the background. Talking with Erin, a 2016 Fiberart International participant, made me realize that even with the spin cycle, I was pretty lucky to be just where I was, talking with her.

My work is…….

June 21, 2018May 23, 2018

As fiber artists complete their entry forms for Fiberart International 2019 there is always that blank to fill out for an “Artist Statement.” For some it’s an easy assignment. For others it poses a real challenge. So here is a sample of opening phrases gleaned from catalogs for previous Internationals.

My work is a response to——–

Joanna Donchatz – FI13 artist

My work is a response to my family history and homeplace of Appalachia. The weavings are composed like collages from photographs, text, documents, drawings, and maps. My grandfather’s coal mining experience led me to reflect on its impact. The fractal-like image of the lung is a symbol of his illness and references veins, fingerprints, streams, trees, roots, mountain ranges, cracks, faults, and fractures. They map the destruction both of the landscape and of my grandfather’s health. The traditional quilt motif is an important reoccurring element as a metaphor for the landscape of Appalachia, comfort, and family.

Down Fiberart International Memory Lane

March 28, 2018

One of our long-time members was doing some deep housecleaning recently and came upon a Fiberart International treasure trove from the past—a 20^th century prospectus, invitation, catalog, and review. I was delighted to get my hands on these juicy historical treats. They conjure lost memories and significant milestones in Fiberart International’s history.

FI16 inspection highlights… and register NOW for the Forum!

November 7, 2023April 12, 2016

Opening weekend for Fiberart International 2016 is steaming toward us like a freight train — packed with art, anticipation, and festivities! Lots of last minute preparations behind the scenes before the gala opening on May 6, just weeks away! A favorite part of every FI is inspection week-end when one of our jurors returns to examine each piece live for the first time.

Lucky Guild volunteers make up the white gloved crew who carry out this essential operation. We open each crate with special care, document the condition and note how each piece was packed. After inspection the work is re-packed for storage until installation. Not only is this an opportunity to check out the detail and incredible craftsmanship of your favorite artworks but also to engage with the juror about all things fiberart. Even if you’ve seen the images a dozen times, as some volunteers have — the scale, texture, and power of each piece is a joy to experience firsthand.