From Practical to Beautiful: Fiber as Art examines the intersection of utility, tradition, and artistic expression through the work of three contemporary fiber artists: Tracy Burns, Gayle Siebert, and Susan Yanos.
Working in distinct but related traditions, Burns creates traditional hand-hooked rugs, Siebert incorporates felted elements into woven tapestries, and Yanos designs and constructs art quilts. Together, their work demonstrates the expressive possibilities of processes historically associated with domestic life, functionality, and craft.
The exhibition explores how each artist brings a contemporary perspective to traditional fiber practices, revealing the expressive possibilities within techniques long associated with utility, craft, and domestic life. In doing so, From Practical to Beautiful considers how these time-honored methods can become vehicles for personal expression, experimentation, and fine art.
Beyond their individual studio practices, all three artists share a commitment to teaching and preserving the knowledge of their craft, helping ensure that these traditions continue to develop and find new meaning for future generations.