Spotlight on Student Fiber Trends 2020

The Southeast Fiber Arts Alliance (SEFAA) and the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts organize a juried student exhibition of creative works in fiber art. The exhibition exclusively features work by post-secondary students and showcases a wide range of content, material, and techniques with the common threads of originality and passion. This is the fifth exhibition in the series, with previous Spotlight exhibitions held in Greenville, NC; Athens, GA; Murray, KY; and Greenville, SC.

Eligibility: Any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a fiber/textile program or independently pursuing a study of fibers/textiles in the Southeast (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia) at the time of application is eligible. Each student may submit up to three works. Submitted work must be original in design and completed between January 1, 2018 and June 1, 2020. Work must utilize at least one fiber technique (interlaced, felted, stitched, dyed, coiled, knotted, printed, spun, woven, etc.) and can be of any material. Only individual work is accepted; group projects will not be considered. Installation work is allowed with the understanding that the Ruth Funk Center will install and take down the work. Work is limited to 50 pounds including mounting hardware and/or armature. Screws or bolts under one inch in diameter are allowed for hanging work. Work must be able to pass through the gallery's receiving area entry (6'10.5" x 5'11.5").

Entry fee: $15 for SEFAA members (includes 1-year student membership) or $30 for non-members. Awards: First Place $800, Second Place $500, Third Place $300, and Honorable Mentions awarded at the juror's discretion. Additional awards from Handweavers Guild of America, Complex Weavers, and Surface Design Association. Exhibition dates: January 23 – May 8, 2021 at Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W. University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901. Juror: Lauren Sinner, multidisciplinary artist, curator, and Managing Editor of Surface Design Journal. Contact: [email protected] or 678-235-4328.