Three award-winning artists will have their unique works on display during the “Creative Threads” exhibit from Thursday, November 5, through Sunday, December 13, in the new Dunham Family Gallery at BIG ARTS. Hours of the exhibit are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Masks are required, and there is a 30-person limit in the gallery. There will also be a virtual gallery that will be live on November 11.
Fiber art is a widely celebrated art medium, one that is ever evolving and crosses the boundaries between fine art and craft. Works by Sally Dutko, Bonnie Langenfeld and Angela Scozzari are gorgeous pieces that demonstrate how fiber art is more than a traditional artform. Works range from intricately detailed landscapes to bold, multi-layered abstract quilts and mixed media fiber sculptures.
Dutko creates mostly raw-edge abstract work, along with some figurative and whimsical pieces. She gets inspired by anything and everything. She said, “My artwork showcases many ways to dye, paint, and manipulate the surface of fabrics. The work, whether small or large, is mostly abstract or suggestive of elements in the natural world. Color, shape and texture are keys to the themes. I would like others to appreciate the joyful experience I have in combining any kind of fiber materials with ink, acrylics or thickened dyes. My displays convey the exuberance of working in fabric, which I find to be a tactile and exciting medium.”
Langenfeld creates realistic fabric art in raw-edge applique and thread sketching, focusing on landscapes. She prides herself in not using any paint or ink to enhance the images, with few exceptions. She said, “My exhibit will include both quilted and non-quilted fabric work. Some will be framed; some will not. My work is realistic, mainly landscapes; and I’ve included a dog portrait and florals for this show. I hope that people viewing my work will first be amazed at how fabric and quilted pieces can have a place in the fine art world. I am delighted when someone is surprised to learn that my picture is not painted at all but is created only in fabric and free-motion machine stitching. And secondly, I hope that viewers feel a bit happier and positive about the world around them because I choose to create images that capture beauty and joy.”
Scozzari uses a combination of found objects, rusted metal in particular, as well as fibers she hand dyes and spins. This exhibit includes recycled plastic, vintage glass beads, wood, and hand-dyed paper, among other found materials. All her work is an expression of her emotional life, an extension of her inner thoughts and nuanced feelings. “From a pile of thread scraps, pieces of metal that I find on my morning walks, or rotted wood from my garden, I seek beauty in what others deem as discard,” she said. “It is my hope that others will be intrigued enough to spend time with each piece, to notice how simple and common materials can strike an emotional chord within the viewer, enabling them to discover beauty in each piece’s complexity.
ABOUT BIG ARTS
BIG ARTS, established in 1979, is a nonprofit organization devoted to providing quality artistic, cultural and educational experiences to Sanibel and Captiva residents and visitors. Visit www.BIGARTS.org to learn more about our upcoming 2021 Season, and don’t forget to like us on Facebook!
