New Exhibitions at Funk Center Highlight Intersection of Fiber, Technology

MELBOURNE, FLA. — The Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts on the campus of Florida Institute of Technology will open the new exhibitions Radical Elements and A View Within: The Collaboration of Two Fiber Artists on Saturday, May 28.

Radical Elements is the newest fiber art show from Studio Art Quilts Associates. A signature exhibition for the international organization, it is the first show to embrace the newly expanded definition of an art quilt. Each of the selected artists created a new work influenced by an element from the periodic table. The artists were also asked to move quilting beyond the usual materials of fabric and thread, exploring the function and decorative properties of different surfaces and stitching materials.

“SAQA is very excited to present Radical Elements on Florida Tech’s campus,” said SAQA Executive Director Martha Sielman.  “We think that the [Ruth Funk Center’s] audience, which combines an interest in science with a love of fiber art, is the perfect group to truly appreciate this unique exhibition.”

In conjunction with Radical Elements, the Center is presenting A View Within: The Collaboration of Two Fiber Artists. Now in its sixth year, A View Within is the result of a collaborative project by contemporary artists Paula Chung and Karen Rips. The artists’ fascination with the human body, as revealed through advances in medical imagery, is the primary inspiration for this exhibition of tapestries.

Both exhibitions will be on view through Aug. 27.

The Ruth Funk Center will host two events in conjunction with the opening of the exhibitions.

• Featured quilt artist Wen Redmond will present a demonstration and gallery talk at 10:30 a.m. on May 28. Redmond’s unique artistic work merges digital processes, photography, collage, media mix and surface design. The demonstration, which takes place in Room P133, next to Evans Library, will highlight Redmond’s use of digital design in quilting. Admission is $10 for the public and $5 for Friends of Textile members and Florida Tech faculty, staff and students. Admission includes the demonstration and a reception. Pre-registration is required by calling the Center’s administrative office at 321-674-6129 or emailing textiles@fit.edu.

• At 2 p.m. on May 28 in the Ruth Funk Center’s gallery, Redmond will lead a gallery tour of her work. The tour is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required for this event.

Beginning May 28, regular hours for the Ruth Funk Center will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Center is located on the Florida Tech campus in Melbourne, 150 W. University Blvd. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://textiles.fit.edu or call 321-674-8313.

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