About Our Meetings
Now Meeting in Central Austin at the Mueller HEB on Saturdays
For the months of Sept, Oct and Nov, 2022, we will be meeting at the Mueller H-E-B in the community room. Meetings are on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10 am to noon. The address is 1801 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78723. The community room is on the second floor above customer service on the left hand side of the store as you walk into the store. You can either use the stairs on the right side of customer service or the elevator in the hallway on the left side of customer service. Email membership @ austinfiberartists.org for more information.
Meeting Format
We start with a show and tell segment, so bring your works that are in progress or have just been completed and let us get to know you. Many members use this as an opportunity to get feedback and solutions for technical difficulties. Then comes a short business meeting where you’ll hear about future exhibitions, events, or workshops. Then on to the evening’s program, which can be a presentation from a fiber artist, a hands-on activity, or even a party!
2021 Past Programs
Despite the continuing pandemic, AFA carried on a full year’s worth of programming in 2021. Most were zoom meetings, but depending on infection levels, we felt able to meet in person as well. Here are our meeting topics for the year:
In January, California artist Joy Swift talked about the challenges of being in fiber arts in the 1960s, calling them Paintings In Thread to get them shown. She then read a story about quilting to the group.
In February, AFA president Gene Looman gave us valuable information about thread choices, backed up with plentiful handouts to keep the facts straight.
In March, Hallie Rae Ward shared her art background and training, and spoke about her commercial fiber arts activities, particularly her yarn-wrapped light bars that give soft glows.
In April, Katy Schmader explained how she creates her abstract paper landscape collages and talked about the connection she finds between the physical environment and the symbols that have traditionally been drived from them.
In May, Hannah Busekrus explained tufting and punch needle rug making, followed by an impressive demonstration of the power tools she uses to create large rugs.
In June, Laura Maclay shared the collection of one-of-a-kind art dolls she’s made.
In July, the pandemic relented enough for us to meet in person for an open house.
In August, covid surged again and we met virtually, viewing a SAQA video about native American made quilts.
In September, Sondra Primeaux showed her clothing made from recycle fabrics.
We also had a basket-making workshop with Dani Sue, which had been postponed from mid-2020.
In October, Jade Walker discussed her embroidery works and other ambitious large-scale fiber projects.
In November, Mary Baughman shared her lifetime love and expertise of books in south Austin.
In December, we had a end-of-year party at a member’s home, which was a cozy and comfortable way to see 2021 out.