Above: Artist, Kathryn Weston
More than 20 years ago, fiber artists Judy Simmons and Mary Stori met while teaching at a quilt conference. In 2003, Judy moved to Asheville, and a couple years later, Mary moved to the area as well. Both became part of a fiber art group called Professional Textile Artists. Kathryn Weston soon joined the group and the three became fast friends. Kathryn lives in Greenville County, South Carolina, and travels to Asheville often. On display through July 4 at The North Carolina Arboretum, Fine Art and the Colors of Nature Quilt Show presents work by these three artists. “We were drawn to each other because we love to do and explore many surface design techniques,” says Judy. “We still get together often to play and experiment with fabric which leads to making art quilts.” “Our styles are different, but we each find inspiration from nature for our work,” says Kathryn whose techniques often create complex cloth through the application of dye, paint, and embellishment. Kathryn explored a variety of needle arts before landing on quilt making in 1973. Judy, who has loved sewing since she began her first fabric stash at age five, works intuitively, trying to capture the look, feel, and simplistic beauty of the world around us. She creates her own fabric using surface design techniques, such as fabric marbling, dyeing, color lifting, and silk screening. “Our nature themed wall art quilts provide a diversity of style and construction methods which offers a fresh approach to the tradition of quilt making,” says Mary. All pieces are for sale, with a portion of proceeds benefitting The NC Arboretum Society. Fine Art and the Colors of Nature is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the Arboretum’s Education Center. Admission is free for Arboretum Society members or with the standard parking fee of $12 per personal vehicle. The NC Arboretum is located at 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way in Asheville.
To learn more, visit ncarboretum.org, or call 828.665.2492.
