More than 50 fabric art creations from some of the most accomplished artists in the state are on exhibit at the Hammond Regional Arts Center. The collection will be available for viewing through Thursday, Dec. 21.
The collection, titled “Color, Line and Shape,” by the center’s staff, is being offered by the Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana organization. The exhibit represents a variety of creative disciplines in fiber art such as quilting, weaving, digital transfer to fabric, embroidery, crochet, jewelry, beading and mixed media.
Melissa Griffin, executive director of the center, said the center is honored to host an “excellent collection of some of the very best fiber art that can be found in the state. The artists who have sent their creations for this exhibit come from all areas of the state and the pieces selected for this show are among the most outstanding works that are found at shows and in galleries throughout Louisiana.”
Griffin said the Hammond showing of the fiber arts puts a spotlight on the genre in the broad world of the visual arts. “This is the first time that our arts center has had the privilege of hosting the artists who are members of the Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana. We have enjoyed meeting with some of the artists who have taken the time to come to Hammond for the opening of the exhibit,” Griffin said.
The public was invited to view the exhibit at the artists’ reception Nov. 18. A crowd filled the center to greet the exhibit and the visiting artists. The opening of the exhibit was timed to coincide with Hammond’s Starry Saturday celebration sponsored by the city’s Downtown Development District.
Jessica Kemm, of Alexandria, exhibit chair for the Contemporary Fiber Artists of Louisiana, said the organization she represents was honored to have been invited to showcase the creativity of its members at the Hammond arts center. “We have about 40 or more active members in our organization and about 20 or 25 of those artists submitted pieces of their work for this exhibit. We always enjoy sharing our works with the public and we feel sure that visitors to this exhibit will enjoy what we have to offer,” she said.
Kemm said the artists’ organization is a nonprofit that convenes quarterly and presents the art work of its members in various venues across Louisiana.
Lucy Landry, another artist who contributed her work to the exhibit, offered an unusual piece, a three-dimension bird of many colors dubbed, “Queenie.” Landry is a veteran fabric artist who works with different techniques.
Also among the fabric artists with works on display was Mary Felder, of Denham Springs. Felder is a longtime member of the Arts Council of Livingston Parish and has served as the group’s president. Felder’s fabric art is frequently shown in exhibits at the council’s gallery in downtown Denham Springs.
A second exhibit was on display at the same time in the upstairs section of the arts center. This exhibit featured the works of art created by members of the Hammond Regional Arts Center as well as favorite works of art owned by center members.
The Hammond Regional Arts Center is open Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. Admission to the center is free.