Fiberlicious Art and La Fabula Illustrations at Art Center

Marco Island Center for the Arts is making it possible for you to step into the world of an exhibit that is just as delicious as it sounds. Now through July 2, 2024, members of Art Quilters Unlimited are serving up a delightfully palatable collection of textile and fiber art, an absolute feast for the eyes. From dyeing and weaving to assemblage and beading and, of course, quilting, this group continues to push the boundaries of working with textiles to zesty new levels of creativity. 

It is a textile lover’s feast! The Art Quilters Unlimited Fiberlicious exhibition is making it possible for you to reconnect with the beauty of 56 unique handmade objects from more than 20 art quilters.

Fiber is a particularly savory medium for the artist. Color, texture, and fiber content have deep associations, as do centuries-old needlework techniques. When these hand or machine skills are combined with such a malleable medium as fiber to create a modern piece, a synthesis results. Something comfortably familiar, yielding the unexpected and the perfect pairing. 

Art Quilters Unlimited is based in Fort Myers and exhibits throughout Southwest Florida. The group includes members just beginning to explore the textile arts as well as local and national award winners. Collectively, they represent centuries worth of fiberlicious finesse!

Amy Lea Blicher creates wearable textile and quilt creations and she brought two kimonos for the exhibit. Blicher’s “African Safari” kimono shows her love of her two favorite things: painting and quilting. The longer kimono is called “Upcycled Fun with Buttons,” created using old clothing mixed with other fabrics embellished with ribbons and buttons for that added pop of color and fun. She calls herself an artist/quilter, and her quilts have evolved into wearable art pieces.

Mary Pat Palumbo brought four of her wall hangings for exhibit and she calls them Fiberlicious Flowers, Go For It, Blue Beauty, and Fractured Vision, a round-robin project with friends Jeri McKay, Jan Piscatelli, Jean Mau, and Sue Kreutzberg. Artist Maura Ross had a practical application for an old green dress turned into a wall hanging titled “It Was a Green Dress.”

La Petite Galerie features Enlighten The Journey by artist Adorable Monique through May 28, 2024. In a true Arte Viva form and style, she brings art that was influenced and enriched by growing up in Central America.

Adorable Monique is an award-winning U.S. based artist brought up abroad. She holds a Baccalaureate from La Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes and a BFA obtained at La Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán (Tegucigalpa, Republic of Honduras) and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in fine arts. She has had the good fortune to be mentored by a renowned Central American artist, which has helped enrich her artistic vision. She has received merit awards and the opportunity to exhibit in various venues. Growing up surrounded by different cultures has broadened her overall view of life. She is continuously pursuing success in personal, professional, and artistic endeavors, as well as in the artistic experience itself.

Adorable Monique has created a Book of Fables, “Érase una vez...La Fábula,” where the illustrations are showcased and brought to life. Each character, unique and vibrant, embodies the essence of the fable. This project is a testament to the power of collaboration, and a special invitation was extended to me by my friend, the author, Xavier Susperregi, and the artist. This book is more than just a collection of stories. It's a mission to preserve the disappearing tradition of fables and share the joy of books with communities. 

The character illustrations of La Fábula are on display at La Petite Galerie, along with larger pieces inspired by Southwest Florida’s natural world, wildlife and the Everglades.