We have some wonderful embroidery to share as part of this year’s Fiber Forum!
The purpose of Fiber Forum is to promote and advance embroidery as an art form through the exhibition of original works. Every year, new members are juried into Fiber Forum by academics and professional artists who are active in their field on the basis of both aesthetic achievement and technical skill. The main requirement is that a needle and thread are involved in the creation of the piece. If you are a needle artist and would like to be part of Fiber Forum, you can learn more here.
We have published a gallery showcasing the stunning work for this year, some of which you can see below. Visit the gallery to see all the incredible needle art!
Nicolien Tj. By Christina Erickson
Artist statement: Horses have been a great passion and inspiration in my life and my artwork. I originally envisioned this sculpture to be entirely in black, like my Friesian mare which it is named after. However, as I worked on the construction and trying different materials, I realized that pattern and contrast would enhance the piece. Creating designs based on Turkish embroidery and carpet motifs as well as adding both color and metallic threads, my horse came to feeling alive. I found this piece technically very challenging. I particularly like the flow of the floral elements over such a bold, large-scale work.
Landscape #5 by Lindsey Britt
Artist statement: Looking out my window is a favorite pastime, but a window truncates the sky. I wanted to create a work of embroidery that captures the textures, beauty, and changeable nature of southeast Vermont while calling attention to the vastness of the sky on a clear day. This wall hanging is a play between what we know—hills, trees, rocks, streams—and what lies above, that amorphous entity called “the sky.” This piece reminds me that what I can easily touch is important, but I should never forget to let my eyes wander upwards.
The Ponderer by Florance Kochenberger
Artist statement: Travel offers many joys and exciting new experiences. For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects is meeting new people and conversing together. I frequently discover common interests, hear an inspiring story and, while learning more about a stranger, learn more about myself. The Ponderer is a lovely, soft spoken English shopkeeper, a collector of fine laces and antique textiles. The chance moment of capturing her in mid-thought has inspired me to interpret my photo of her in embroidery. A recent online class in stitching portraits provided the tools and incentive.
Comfort the Spider by Raven Fagelson
Artist statement: This artwork is about stepping outside one’s comfort zone. It was not easy to stitch. Needlepainting is one of the most complex styles of embroidery, requiring skill with color pencil, and needle. And then I chose a subject that few would recommend: a male Maratus pardus. Yet, one should stretch the boundaries of comfort and art.
This is not a comfortable piece of embroidery, not in its making nor in its finish. Friends refused to look at it. I struggled to stitch it. I hoped I might be comfortable stitching a dancing spider. I wasn’t, which was the point.
Click here to see the 2026 Fiber Forum gallery
