Promoting Fiber as a Fine Art Medium

By Michael Stevenson

In addition to the important work of SAQA and other quilting-focused guilds, art quilters can use a variety of strategies to promote fiber as a fine art medium while bringing our work to the attention of audiences and potential patrons outside quilting-focused communities. They can also create opportunities to become part of art-loving communities that may appreciate and benefit from our presence as fiber artists.

Join a local art center. Even if fiber isn’t their particular strength, joining a local art center may be a good first step. I have participated in a number of shows where my contribution was the only entry primarily made of fiber. Some have been member-only shows; but others have resulted from a call to artists (members or not). Some have been juried. Others have been open to everyone. 

Show your work at a local gallery. In addition to art centers, I have been fortunate to have my work selected for shows at a variety of local galleries which have not routinely included fiber art. Curators and jurists have indicated that they welcome art in a wide range of media, but they don’t often receive submissions from fiber artists. Similarly, art cooperatives and brick and mortar galleries sometimes have guest-artist or visiting-artist programs where wall space is available for rent for a specified period of time. Because I have sufficient space at home, I don’t need to rent additional studio space elsewhere. However, I’m always looking for opportunities to show my work to new audiences without the continuing commitments of an ongoing lease.

Participate in an art festival. Preparing for an art festival is a bit more costly both in time and financial resources. However, some festivals have emerging artists programs that enable people who meet particular criteria to reach new audiences. For example, I was chosen by the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts as an Emerging Artist in 2023. They chose 15 artists from over 200 entries and I was the only fiber artist! These programs may also include reduced fees and/or reimbursement stipends thus providing the opportunity to experience what its like to spend a weekend in a tent showing your work to enthusiastic crowds at a somewhat reduced cost.

Become an “Artist in residence”. Artist residencies come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some require the resident to re-locate for a particular period of time, I have participated in 2 different local programs that didn’t require moving house and home. In one case, I organized a co-residency with two other fiber artists, one who creates textile collages and another who felts. For this two-month residency, we were expected to hang our exhibition and work at the gallery for a specified amount of time each week. The second opportunity is offered by a local hotel which both collects and promotes art. Their week-long residencies also require artists to mount a show and to work for specific periods at the venue. They also expect artists to gift an example of their work for the hotel’s permanent collection.  

Donate a work to a charity auction. Artists who make their living through making art may need to be judicious in their charitable giving. However, doing so can create opportunities to further advance this work and to network with art lovers who may want to make further purchases! In fact, I met one of my favorite patrons through such an auction and she has been generous in introducing my work to others!

Perhaps it goes without saying that not everyone will be enthusiastic about our medium. For example, when I made inquiries at one local co-op about their visiting artist program, the artists tending the gallery on that particular day were enthusiastic about the possibility. However, when they consulted with the person ultimately responsible for making decisions about who was invited, I was told not to bother applying that although my work appeared well-crafted, it didn’t fit her definition of fine art! 

This list is far from comprehensive! It simply describes a few of the strategies I have used to both gain access to various art communities in my area while advancing fiber as a fine art medium. Of course, these activities give me the opportunity to broaden interest in fiber art and to share my passion with others. (They also create opportunities to sell a piece now and then). I also find it useful and enjoyable to attend events associated with shows at my favorite galleries regardless of whether I happen to have work in a particular show. Your consistent presence will increase the probability that fiber will be included as a medium in the next call for art.

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