The 2026 Grand National Fibre Art Exhibition opened on June 20 at the Kootenay Gallery of Art in Castlegar, B.C. This year’s field of entries was larger and more diversified than in previous years. It included works in almost every genre of fibre art, including quilting, weaving, felting, basket-making, rug-hooking, embroidery and mixed media and experimental textiles.
Even before the Grand Opening, Canadian Quilter asked for a sneak peek for its readers. The pieces include Three Sisters by Deborah Csongradi, above, inspired by paintings by Phee Hudson (used with permission).
Judy Weiss, an independent curator in the field of fibre arts, developed the 2026 theme, Textures of Canada. While the GNE committee organizes and promotes the entire exhibition, the curator sets a theme and selects artworks from all the entries.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, the collected voice of Canadian artists speak volumes about our nation: They tell stories of our people, traditions, history, values, regional cultures, heroes, landscapes, sense of place and so much more. This curated exhibition explores national identity through the medium of fine art textiles.
Textures of Canada
“Textures of Canada’s Call for Entry asked fibre artists to consider what makes them a Canadian fibre artist,” Judy said. “We wanted to see Canada through the eyes of textile artists and to create discussion on what motivates and inspires us to do what we do! Out of the entries and ideas presented, we’ve created a viewing experience that inspires and motivates us all.”
Selection criteria include each artwork’s match to the theme, its individual artistic merit and how it will contribute overall to an appealing and expressive exhibition.
Woodland Walk by Lenona Schroeder appears in the Naturally Connected grouping. Schroeder develops her work without patterns. This piece was wet felted and features embroidery, crochet and Menno balls made from fibre waste.
Clearly, our fibre artists are highly skilled, continually exploring new techniques and regularly crossing boundaries between art forms. Show entries included 2-D and 3-D works, realism and abstraction, crossovers between fibre genres, digital and fibre optic processes alongside traditional textile ones and creative use of mixed media. The entries overall were strong in design and craftsmanship, including professional finishing and presentation of the artworks.
“Canadian fibre artists are and should be, proud of who we are and what we make,” Judy said.
Connected to Nature and Grounded
The strongest thread among the entries reveal an interconnectedness with ecology and nature. From the minutiae beneath our feet, to the forest floor, to eco-systems and wildlife, we are Connected to Nature. Therefore, a number of pieces in the exhibition reflect that.
Other entries focused on elements of the larger landscape: regional or national landmarks, special places and memories of great vistas. In this sense, we are a Grounded people. Works in these two subthemes, Connected to Nature and Grounded include landmarks, natural areas, wildlife, the outdoors, ecology and recreation.
The Silent Between by Sheree Schbote. Inspired by Canada’s forest, particularly a forest near the artist’s home. Eco-dyed fabrics and hand embroidery.
Submitting artists also drew inspiration from oceans, coastlines and the water resources in between. One section of the exhibition, subtitled ‘Coast to Coast,’ includes felted works, quilts and exquisitely embroidered pieces.
Throughout the field of entries, it became apparent that entries arose from visual storytellers. Another thread emerged, leading to a section entitled Rooted. These pieces express humour, traditions and enjoyment of life in places we’ve been. In part, they celebrate family activities, cultural heritage and fond memories of good times.
Inspired
Reviewing the overall exhibition, Judy noted, “Canadian fibre artists are strong together. We can definitely hold our own in the fibre art world!” That became apparent, she said, in the quality and variety of works submitted. However, it also showed up in the ways artists explore new media and innovate ways to present their ideas.
In response, one last subtheme emerged. ‘Inspired’ highlights artists who work in series. They explore a medium in depth, pushing the boundaries of what you can do with a given set of materials. Or they seek mastery in their art form through structured practice.
Near and Far by Ilene Atkins. This wall hanging records experimental results from dying with plant materials in the artist’s Kitchener, Ont. yard. It will appear in the Inspired grouping within Texture of Canada.
If Judy has any regrets about the show, she would have loved to exhibited more pieces. “There were many, many strong entries,” she said. “But with space restrictions and shipping budgets, we simply could not include them all.”
Everyone is invited to the grand opening of Textures of Canada. Members of the organizing committee, the curator and some participating artists will welcome you and answer questions about the exhibition. You’ll experience some of Canada’s finest fibre art in a gorgeous part of the country!
Where to see these quilts
Following the opening venue, the exhibition makes its way across our country. Make plans to enjoy it with a few fibre friends at one of the following locations:
- Kootenay Gallery of Art, 120 Heritage Way, Castlegar, B.C. – – June 21 to Aug. 8, 2026
- Leduc Arts Foundry, Leduc, Alta. – Sept. 1 to 30, 2026
- United Community Arts Centre, Pilot Mound, Man. – Nov. 8 to Dec. 20, 2026
- Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, Southampton, Ont. – Jan. 16 to April 30, 2027
- University of New Brunswick Art Centre, Fredericton, N.B. – May 14 to June 25, 2027
