Raw Materials: Textile, Metal, and Stone

Featuring local & regional artists

Art Center East is pleased to feature “Raw Materials: Textile, Metal, and Stone” in the main gallery. “Raw Materials: Textile, Metal, and Stone” opens with a reception on April 7 (Fri.) from 6 – 8pm and will be on display through April 28, 2017. This exhibition features textile and jewelry artists from La Grande and Pendleton and more​. ​

Participating artists include: Criss Collier, Jo Cowling, Mona Dinger, Linda Elliot, Hannah Rose, Lori Sams, Sharry Sherman, Phoebe Smith, Heather Tomlinson, and Amanda Welch.

Textile art is broadly defined as “arts and crafts that use plant, animal, or synthetic fibers to construct practical or decorative objects.” Within that broad category of textile art, “Raw Materials: Textile, Metal, and Stone” includes blind-contour portraits, rainwater-dyed sculptures, and applique pieces. “When people think of fiber artists, traditional quilt-makers may come to mind.” says Darcy Dolge, Arts Director at Art Center East. “But contemporary fiber artists work with a variety of textiles and methods when creating work. The end result is quite remarkable and unique.”

Throughout history, jewelry has been made from a variety of materials:  precious stones and metals, shells, bones, and beads; and has served a variety of purposes. Jewelry artists are inspired by the colors in their environment, the texture of the natural stones, and by the innate need to create something beautiful. Handcrafted with sterling silver, copper, and brass with crystals and gemstone beads, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces will be on display during April at Art Center East.