Fiber

Program Head: Jeanne Medina Le

The Fiber program began here more than forty years ago and has one of the most thorough undergraduate curriculums in the country. We work to move fiber based art towards a broad contemporary, cross-disciplinary practice. The students receive a thorough and inclusive knowledge of textile concerns such as hand construction, loom woven and computer-aided structure, both printed and dyed surface design, book arts and papermaking, and fiber sculpture methods. We encourage a mixed media approach based on the deep valuing of fiber’s unique place within a historical and contemporary world view. By encouraging eclecticism, risk taking and awareness of new forms of artistic expression, the student will, hopefully develop a personal vision that will allow them to work in a productive and satisfying manner.

Besides serving many studio art majors, our small graduate and undergraduate programs including approximately 10-15 BFA students, 5-7 MFA students provide a strong community for support and growth. This group allows for extensive one-on-one student teacher interaction, as well as many other special experiences including travel, workshops, artist lectures and group interchange. Course work includes classes in Surface Design (including both printing and dyeing methods), Weaving (using 4-16 harness looms, plus one compu-dobby loom), Fiber Sculpture (a hand construction and mixed media approach), Bookarts and Papermaking, Advanced Fiber studies, and Independent Studies classes that lead to the BFA in 3-D Media in Fiber student’s final one-person exhibition.

Our recently renovated facilities include three large, naturally lit classroom/studios, a dye laboratory, a papermaking lab, and an outdoor working area with tables, stoves and sinks. The weaving studio is equipped with 15 4-16 harness looms, a computer aided dobby loom and a well-stocked yarn room.

The graduate program is individualized and dependent on the student’s preparation, interests and talents. This program centers on each student developing a strong personal and independent creative vision. The maturation process entails the development of ideas, skill development, and a theoretical basis for their work. Studios are available to facilitate a strong studio practice.