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RELATED EVENTS
“Weave Houston” Juror Awards Event
January 13, 2021, 6:00 PM on Facebook LiveCraft Chats: “Weave Houston” Tour with Maria-Elisa Heg & Molly Koehn
January 21, 2021, 1:00 PM on Facebook LiveVirtual Workshop: Circular Weaving with Molly Koehn
January 23, 2021, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PMHOH To Go: Woven Bracelets
February 6, 2021, pick up 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is pleased to present Weave Houston: Celebrating 71 Years of the Contemporary Handweavers of Houston. Weave Houston showcases the history and diversity of Contemporary Handweavers of Houston’s membership, featuring works from emerging practitioners and longtime fiber artists. Noted fiber artist Dr. Mary Ruth Smith juried several awards for works that highlight exceptional craftsmanship and innovative use of materials.
The Contemporary Handweavers of Houston (CHH) was founded in 1949 as a chapter of the Contemporary Handweavers of Texas to provide a common meeting ground for weavers throughout the state. In its 70 years as a guild, the non-profit organization has promoted the education of and interest in handweaving and fiber-related crafts. This is accomplished through regular gatherings and demonstrations at schools, museums, and festivals throughout the Houston community, including the Livestock Show and Rodeo. CHH has an ongoing relationship with the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and sponsors a scholarship for its resident artists who are weavers and demonstrate or lead activities at HCCC events.
Former HCCC resident artist and CHH member Molly Koehn benefited greatly from this scholarship. “It was an unexpected blessing to be awarded the Tilly Marchwinski Scholarship for Excellence in Handweaving when I first arrived at HCCC. The scholarship funded supplies during my residency and allowed me to create without worrying about finding additional funding. It was also such a pleasure to learn about Tilly and her involvement in weaving and the guild!”
Visitors to Weave Houston will delight in the variety of fiber works on display–everything from traditional wall hangings to unconventional sculpture–all celebrating the contributions of this time-honored artist guild.
Learn more about the Contemporary Handweavers of Houston at www.weavehouston.org.
About Juror Dr. Mary Ruth Smith
Dr. Mary Ruth Smith is a former CHH member and current professor of art in fiber arts and fabric surface design at Baylor University in Waco, TX. Starting with coursework in home economics, her career has led her to a variety of disciplines from art education to the visual arts. At Baylor, she created a studio concentration in fabric surface design. Over the past 35 years, her hand-stitched artwork has been exhibited extensively internationally.
Image credits:
- Christine Miler, Golden Glow, 2020, woven metal fabric with stone, bead, and crochet embellishment. 21 in x 16 in x 3 in. Image cred Gabrielle Pruitt.
- Kyla Crawford, They Are Waiting, 2020, paper, ink, thread. Dimensions variable. Image courtesy of artist.
- Barbara Esterholm, Cityscape at night, 2020, handwoven cotton. 21.5 in x 25 in. Image courtesy of the artist.
- Linda J. Thompson, Silk Wraps, 2018, fiber. 5 in x 8 in x 2.5 in. Image courtesy of the artist.
- Tracy Kaestner, Jacket of Many Colors, 2020, handwoven silk. Image courtesy of the artist.
- Diane Ferguson, Going in Circles, 2020, stitched shibori, embroidered and indigo dyed fiber. 13.5 in x 40 in. Image courtesy of the artist.
- Blaine Davis, Blönduós Tapestry, 2018, wool, cotton, synthetics. 22 in x 30 in. Image courtesy of the artist.
- Lynn S. Williams, Remembered, 2020, silk and thread. 18 in x 15 in. Image courtesy of the artist.
- Marian J. Carlson, Sunlight Snow, 2018, silk and novelty yarn. 75.5 in x 6.25 in. Image courtesy of the artist.
- Pat Powell, In Celebration of the Grape, 2020, fiber. 17 in x 7 in. Image courtesy of the artist.
- Therese Coucher, Grey Fox with Yaupon, 2018, wool, silk, cotton and linen on cotton warp. 41 in x 32 in. Image courtesy of the artist.
- Photo of Weave Houston juror, Dr. Mary Ruth Smith. Photo courtesy Krista Latendresse.
- Images 13-16, Contemporary Handweavers of Houston members lead attendees of HCCC’s Hands-on Houston Family Festival in an indigo-dyeing activity. Photos by Katy Anderson.
