Textile Center features art of Nokomis residents

by Paulette Corona
The move is complete. The Textile Center of Minnesota is in its new location at 3000 University Avenue S.E. This nonprofit organization is a community center that provides opportunities and support to fiber artists and the community at large. What makes this center unique is that there are 25 member organizations that represent various types of arts, such as The Weaver’s Guild of Minnesota, Minnesota Lace Society, Costume Guild of Minnesota and the Professional Sewing Association. The center hosts events, classes and workshops. There are a variety of classes offered at the center and among them include silk painting, rug hooking and basketry.
Nokomis residents Laura Murray and Joan Kloiber both serve on the board and have also donated their art to the center. Laura’s textile wallhanging is called “Cranes II” and is an example of her award-winning work which has been exhibited in international quilt shows and galleries. She owns her own business and teaches workshops. She became an artist almost by accident. In 1989 she entered a quilt shop to purchase materials to be used in making a quilt for her daughter and before she left she signed up for a quilting class. She describes her work as very rich in color and states that she is attracted to working intuitively with fabric, design, painting and creating texture.
Joan states that “the Textile Center hopes to influence and change the way fiber artists and their work is viewed.” She describes the center as, “unique in that all fiber artists are celebrated together.” Her donation to the center is called Torii Gate that was inspired by Japanese art. The funds collected from the sale of these items will be donated to the center.
When I visited the center to take pictures, I was intrigued by the richness and complexity of the exhibited fiber art. There were classes in session and many people walking about. The gift shop was full of beautifully crafted affordable gifts.
The dye lab and library are still under construction. The library will be home to hard-to-find and out-of-print books. While a membership to the center is not required in order to enjoy the many things it has to offer, while a membership to the center does include a newsletter, textile events calendar, discounts to retailers, lectures, workshops and classes, discounted meeting space and entitles you to become a voting member. The gallery hours are Tues. - Thurs., 3:00-7:00 and Fri. and Sat., 12:00-4:00. There are numerous volunteer opportunities that include but are not limited to working in the library, gift shop or gallery or on their newsletter or website.
The center is now preparing for the opening gala on Feb. 9. This fundraising event will include an auction of textile art, music and dancing. Tickets can be purchased by calling the center at 612-436-0464.
So, whether you are a textile artist yourself or are new to appreciating textile arts, the center will welcome you.