Surface Design Association

Inspires

Pecha Kucha presentation by Christine Miller

2017 Making our Mark 40th Anniversary SDA Conference

My name is Christine Miller and I am a life long fiber artist. As an elementary student, I

would go outside for recess, stand up against the wall and knit. Through those early

years I also learned how to sew, embroider, needlepoint, and weave. Weaving is at the

core of my fiber art for over 40 years.

My professional fiber art career took a turn when I became a

Visual Arts Educator at 50. This job in my path was

unexpected, but it is an important puzzle piece in my journey. I

am currently teaching art to 14-16 year olds in Plano, TX. The

struggles are real; the rewards are great.

When I have yarn or fiber in my fingers, I feel

centered, balanced and whole. This is the

Universe I travel in. It has been a natural

extension of my passion for fiber to bring it into

my art education classroom and share it with my

students and colleagues.

I was one of 10 art educators across the U.S. that was awarded a scholarship to

attend the 2011 SDA conference in Minneapolis. The intention for the SDA Scholars

was to foster fiber art in K-12 art curriculum. SDA planted the seed that would

become Explore Fiber.

After the conference, I knew that my mission was to teach not only my students about

fiber art, but to also teach teachers. How could I weave those two groups together?

My love of technology supported the idea of creating a collaborative website devoted

to fiber as a fine art material.

This was a big idea that came along as I was undertaking an online Masters program

in Art Education from Texas Woman’s University. The synergy of online education

and the possibility of connecting a global fiber community grew bit by bit. I began

weaving the fabric of Explore Fiber.

My art classroom is 1800 sq. ft., the same size as my house! It

was a natural extension to set up a weaving studio in my room.

Within a year’s time, weavers from all over the state of Texas

donated equipment, materials, tools, and financial donations to

make it happen.

The students love to weave. I have twenty 15” Schact Cricket rigid heddle looms. The

first weaving project I give them is a scarf, something fairly quick and easy to weave in

plain weave. I had all 20 looms going, with kids coming back for a second project!

Weaving was a big hit on my campus!

The pride they have from creating their own cloth is evident in this photo. When my

kiddos are weaving, I am a ridiculously happy art teacher! Having this program grow

and develop keeps me balanced and centered in my job.

This student advanced to a small floor loom after his first scarf project. I do not

exaggerate when I tell you that I saw the FIRST smile from him as he started this

weaving he would give to his mom. Until then, he showed up with a poker face every

day. These are the moments that keep teachers going.

My web designer announced to me that Explore Fiber was live on July 12, 2014. I was

FREAKED out! There were lots of my original photographs for eye candy, but NO

content! Though I was a full time art teacher, and a graduate student, I hustled to start

creating my fiber community vision.

I first started blogging. I had maintained an art education blog for six years, so it was a

natural place to begin. As the curator of the blog, I focus on the work of fiber artists,

developments in fiber technology, fiber education articles, and fun fiber videos.

Explore Fiber is collecting fiber art lessons to make available to art educators.

Teachers don’t teach what they don’t know. Supporting them with lessons, videos and

tutorials increases their comfort level to bring fibers into their art classroom. These free

lessons support fiber students and enthusiasts as well.

Though I am the little engine behind this mission, it is meant to

be a collaborative community, not “my” website. Individuals who

contribute lessons and fiber education stories are given free

contributor pages that list their bio, artist statement, and personal

links. Many voices create a rich, woven tapestry.

Your story is valued as part of this conversation. When you

share your community fiber experiences, others are inspired

and hopefully motivated to create their own experiences.

The resources section of the website is

growing day by day. You can find links

to University programs; journals and

publications; schools, classes and

workshops; and fiber galleries and

museums. A new resource page lists

conferences, institutes or symposium

opportunities.

One of the newest features on Explore Fiber are the Labs. I teach short, hands-on

workshops exploring different processes, materials or techniques related to fiber arts.

Area art educators and fiber artists sign up to expand their fiber knowledge.

These Labs are made available for a minimum cost online to help support the learning of

anyone interested. With a lifetime of fiber experience, there is a long list of Labs to come!

This is where the marriage of my teaching career and my fiber art career are happily

residing.

There has never been a more exciting time to work with fibers.

Fibers are one of the most important 21st century materials, and

not just from a technology stand point! Artists from many

practices are working entirely with fibers, or incorporating them

into their artistic expressions.

Let me introduce you to Tito, La Tortuga, the first needle felted sculpture I made

alongside my students. Just like Tito, my fiber journey has been long, steady and true.

Explore Fiber is truly the culmination of my life’s passion for fibers. Please join the

Explore Fiber community to take our love of fiber arts to classrooms and studios around

the world!