“The Textile Impact,” a new exhibit at Anderson Arts Center, will open to the public from December 8 until January 29. An opening reception will be held on Friday, December 11, from 6:30-8:30 pm.
Sponsored by Orian Rugs, the exhibit showcases a range of textile works highlighting the diversity of processes, materials and presentation within this wide medium and industry. Honoring Anderson County’s rich history with the textile industry, the intended impact of the exhibition is to expand the audience’s idea of what textiles can be.
Textile art is the process of creating something using fibers gained from sources like plants, animals, insects (silkworms) or synthetic materials. Some examples of textile art include quilts, tapestries, weaving, felting, knitting, and batik, just to name a few.
“This exhibit will have quite a variety of work,” said April Cameron, Executive Director for the Arts Center. “We have more than 20 artists who have submitted items for the show. We wanted to offer an exhibit that would highlight the history of the textile industry because it was so important to Anderson County’s economic vitality in the early 1900s. Our county had 19 textile mills in 1920,” she said.
In collaboration with the Anderson County Museum, the show will also feature an exhibit on the history of textiles in Anderson in the Atrium Gallery.
“Because the textiles were such a significant part of Anderson County’s history, it is a perfect collaboration for the museum to provide the historical aspect of this topic, while the Arts Center provides a current view of textiles,” said Cameron.
In addition, exhibit sponsor Orian Rugs will provide information on the current textile industry and the company’s production of rugs from design to yarn dying to weaving.
While viewing the exhibit, the Anderson Arts Center encourages social distancing, using hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the building, and wearing face masks.
For more information, please call 864.222.2787, visit the Anderson Arts Center website or follow the center on Facebook or Instagram.
