Meet the Jurors of Interpretations 2025

It was an honor to serve as a juror for Interpretations 2025, an exhibition that showcases the dynamic and evolving landscape of contemporary fiber art. Carefully viewing each piece and reading the accompanying artist statements provided invaluable insight into the intent and message behind each work, and greatly informed our jurying decisions.

Our task was to evaluate each submission based on a range of criteria, including originality, creativity, technical skill, composition and design, use of color and light, conceptual strength, emotional resonance, innovation, and risk-taking. These elements served as our guiding principles throughout the selection process.
We worked collaboratively to curate a cohesive exhibition that features a diverse mix of both abstract and representational imagery, along with two- and three-dimensional works. The final selection honors the rich traditions of fiber art and also embraces fresh, unconventional expressions. In some cases, promising works were not selected due to poor-quality images, which hindered our ability to fully appreciate the piece

Congratulations to the SAQA award winner, whose unique use of media stood out among the submissions. I hope you enjoy Interpretations 2025 and find inspiration in how each piece embodies the spirit of the exhibition.

About Holly Brackmann

Holly Brackmann is Professor Emerita of Textiles and Art History at Mendocino College, Ukiah CA. She wrote a definitive book, The Surface Designer’s Handbook: Dyeing, Printing, Painting and Creating Resists on Fabric. She has created architectural scale wall hangings, as well as miniature textiles.

Because of her understanding of dyeing techniques, she often combines a variety of dyes, and digital imagery to create multi-media pieces. Her knowledge has been shared in many magazine articles, curating textile and craft exhibitions, teaching, and exhibiting internationally. Her work has been featured in Quilts=Art=Quilts, Art Quilt Elements, Quilt Visions, Interpretations, SAQA Exhibitions, and by the Surface Design Association. Currently, she serves on the Studio Art Quilt Associates and Community Foundation of Mendocino County Boards.

I feel incredibly grateful to be a juror for this exhibition. Fiber art really is what makes me tick, and seeing so many techniques and such high quality work gives me so much joy. Selecting the final pieces among so many great submissions was challenging, but in the end I feel all the pieces work together cohesively and all of them have that tactile seduction that will encourage the visitors to come closer, wonder, and have their own perspective about their story. My deepest congratulations to the selected artists, I can tell they challenge and push forward traditional techniques like weaving, knitting, and embroidery. I feel so inspired to continue my practice and experiment more, and I hope both selected and not-selected artists do too. In these times, art is that magic for the soul, and I strongly believe this exhibition will nourish the heart through the softness that only fiber offers.

About Luisa Gil Fandino

Luisa is an assistant professor in the Textiles and Apparel Program at the University of Texas in Austin. Besides her strong passion for textiles and fabrication techniques , she is also interested in sustainability in the textile industry and in building interdisciplinary opportunities for her students. During her time at the University, she has also been a guest lecturer for the School of Architecture, the School of Fine Arts and also constantly speaks to different student organizations about the overlap of Textiles with other disciplines.

Luisa also enjoys mentoring students and creating platforms for collaboration like the UT chapter of AATCC ( American Association of Colorists and Chemists), being the Principal Investigator for Women’s Relief Initiative, a student led project that aims to bring sanitary garments to Africa, advising Bridging Disciplines and Honors thesis (Polymatics and Dean’s Honors), and being part of the founding team of Cientifico Latino UT Austin Chapter . Luisa is also part of the faculty team that was awarded the 2019-2020 President’s Award for Global Learning which is designing and prototyping sustainable materials for the fashion industry.

When I look at fiber art, it is often a three-stage process. From across the room my curiosity is engaged — the composition is strong, the colors and values speak to each other, and each component of the piece supports the whole.

Stage two brings me closer. I recognize more texture, layering of the fabric, and surface design techniques that add complexity to the work.

And then, with my nose as close to the piece as possible, I see the handwork, the stitching, and the details, each complementing the overall design and concept the artist brought to the process.

I admire artists who leave an opening for interpretation, guiding the viewer through a piece with structure, color, and stitch. The work has to grab me in an intimate way for me to linger and study. For me, it is when an artist surprises me, makes clear their intention, and follows up with technique in support of their message that I stand and applaud.

The works in this show exemplify the variety of approaches to this art form. The artists elevate the processes so that the viewer has to stop and think.

About Paula Kovarik

Paula Kovarik is a full-time artist and fiber art teacher from Memphis, TN. With a background in design and art history from Southern Illinois University and a 30-year career as a designer she creates story and art with stitch and fabric. Kovarik’s award-winning fiber art has been recognized by Quilt National, Quilts=Art=Quilts, World of Threads, and FiberArt Now—Excellence in Fibers. She has been profiled in Smithsonian American Craft and FiberArt Now magazines. Her work is featured in Art Quilts Unfolding – 50 Years of Innovation and Art Quilts International Abstract & Geometric. Her work has been collected by the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, NE, the International Airport in Memphis, TN as well as private collections.