Professional credentials and silk dying

Steve and I have found it valuable to be credentialed, and good standing members of professional organizations in each of our arts.  My first encounter with a professional fiber organization came when i was juried into the Cleveland Museum of Art Textile Art Alliance.   This is a relatively young group formed to support twelve years ago to support the textile collection of the museum, and to advance education and exposure to the many ways fiber intersects our lives and enriches them.  Textile Art Alliance brings an elevated level of understanding  and a very discriminating eye for the beauty of created things.  I mentioned yesterday that I am honored to be juried into the Wearable Art Fashion Show and Boutique.

This is a one day event at Landerhaven, in Mayfield Heights.  The doors open to luncheon ticket holders at 10am, and for the general public at 1pm.  Admission at the door is $5 which benefits the work of the Art Museum. . Tickets for the luncheon are still available.   If you would like more information on the event please click the attached link

http://www.taacleveland.org/pdf/fshow2013invitation.pdf

And here are a few photos from previous year’s boutiques… it is a lovely day.

From Alpaca Shawls, and alpaca felting to vintage buttons, and handcrafted millinary needs… it was all there, and will be back in force this year.  It is a great opportunity to find unique things you will not find anywhere else.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And on a different level there is a professional list of textile artists known as TAFA.  I submitted a number of photos, and documentation to their jury process and i am pleased to say my work was accepted into the TAFA List, a website that features the textile work of artists around the world.

The website lists the textile art work of over 400 artists from 35 countries around the world.  The work is amazing, and diverse… from delicate french crewel work to african textiled baskets, to peruvian weaving… amazing options… such an honor to be a part of this group.  Here is my profile on their site:  (click the photo below)

So why professional credentials?  I want to take my art seriously, and i want to be both a mentor to someone else, as well as to be mentored by someone.  I want to be challenged, stretched, always growing to new places in my creative expression.