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The Handweavers Guild of America presents Small Expressions Exhibition

Presented by Tennessee State Museum at Tennessee State Museum

June 4-September 11, 2011

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Small Expressions, 2011, an annual international juried exhibition organized by the Handweavers Guild of America, opens at the State Museum on Saturday, June 4, as part of the Downtown Nashville First Saturday evening Art Crawl, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The exhibition features 39 contemporary small-scale artworks by 25 artists from 16 states (four of them Tennesseans). Three countries outside the United States are also represented: Canada, France, and Switzerland. The works were selected from 200 entries by juror Jeanne Brady, head of the Fibers Department at Tennessee Tech University’s Joe L. Evins Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville. The exhibition was brought to Tennessee this year by the Handweavers Guild of Nashville.

The contemporary makers of these intricate creations use a variety of textile techniques, and both traditional and non-traditional materials, while paying special attention to the limitations involved in small-scale work. “This does not mean a simplification of ideas or image but rather very careful attention paid to all details, without the risk of becoming precious,” noted Diane Itter, who served as the first Small Expressions juror in 1984.

“We are honored to host this prestigious exhibition at the State Museum,” Executive Director Lois Riggins-Ezzell commented. “It provides a wonderful opportunity for our visitors to experience some of the best work being produced by contemporary fiber artists.”

This is the twenty-eighth annual Small Expressions exhibition, a premier showcase for small fiber artworks (no more than 15 inches in any direction). This year’s exhibition includes not only traditional fiber media like cloth and paper, but also some unusual materials (X-ray film!) which have been worked with traditional fiber techniques such as weaving, embroidery, or stitching.

Small Expressions will be on view near the museum’s Cracker Barrel Quilt Gallery through September 11, 2011, with no admission charge. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. For directions, parking instructions and information on upcoming events, visit www.tnmuseum.org.