Artist and educator Peg Gignoux coaches the art out of people. Her collaborators are hospitalized pediatric patients, 6th graders, teen poets, refugee children, women in rehab, homeless families, library patrons and cancer patients. You’ll cheer along with her as you view the works that have emerged from putting textile media in the hands of these diverse – and extraordinary – teams of creators….

9th International Shibori Symposium (Fall 2104) in Hangzhou, China, opened unprecedented access to Chinese textile history and practice for 250 international participants from 15 countries. Get a taste of the experience for yourself – and find out what impressions endured after this once-in-a-lifetime journey – from artist/educator Amy Putansu. …

Andrea Vail creates community weaving events where people arrive as strangers and leave as friends. Hands working together untangle social tension as diverse participants – who might not otherwise meet – sit side by side to make something remarkable. Find out how these socially-engaged art events evolved. Take part in her next one at SDA’s Made/Aware conference at Arrowmont in October!…

Back in the 1980s, artist/composer Ray Pierotti met and fell in love with Inkodye for the way it rendered transparency in his sound-inspired work. Through thick and thin (and a recent name change to Lumi/Inkodye), he’s become a master at manipulating its special effects. Let his ethereal, soulful work compel you to explore this unique solar-powered dye yourself…….

You’ll want to register now – whether or not your art practice embraces social issues – to be in the company of these paradigm-shifting Made/Aware presenters & program at Arrowmont in October. Be counted among the movers, shakers & makers who use their work to “be the change” they want to see in the world……

Let artist Barbara Shapiro take you along on her recent search for the pulse of contemporary French textile arts. Get hots tips for planning your own Francophile textile travel while getting an overview of the who’s who in French fiber via this stunning photo essay – exclusively for SDA NewsBlog. …

At almost 100 years old, the Textile Museum in Washington DC has a new home on the campus of George Washington University! If you couldn’t be there for the gala opening, let former SDA President Candace Edgerley show you the many splendors of the new facility and inaugural exhibition. You’ll want to add a visit there to your plans for textile travel……

Unravel the fascinating trend of “unweaving” to create new forms and the energizing influence of technology on the fiber field, from laser cutting and digital design to time arts and social media….

Want easy access to outstanding information on fashion & textile arts? You don’t have to live in Minneapolis, Minnesota to take advantage of the Textile Center Library. With 27,000 fiber-focused books + 40 periodical subscriptions, this library was included in American Craft Council’s 10 Must-See Craft Resource Collections. Find out how you can take advantage of this rich resource, here….

Stephen Blumrich volunteered to be on the “newsletter committee” of the fledgling Surface Design Association in 1976. His guidance as first managing editor – then editor until 1988 – put Surface Design Journal on the path to becoming the thought leader in textile arts magazines that it is today. Find out more about his work and unique contribution to early SDA history in this exclusive tribute….