L.I.N.T. Exhibit at Black Mountain Center for the Arts May 2-31

Textiles have been a way of life in Southern culture for far more than a century.  “King cotton,” grown on Southern soil paved the way for textile mills, which in turn paved the way for mill villages and communities.   “Linthead,” was the pejorative nickname given to generations of mill workers who completed the long hours in a textile mill every day with cotton fuzz stuck to their hair and clothing.   Seamstresses, whether creative or non-creative, utilized whatever scraps of fabric they had to make quilts to keep their families warm.  Now, textile mills have left the South for the most part, and mill community populations have diversified so that few who live there have a history with the mill or the community.

Another diversification that has taken place is the transformation from quilts as necessities, to quilts as art, made with specific techniques, colors, fabrics and styles.  A group of western NC artists have taken the negative use of the word “lint,” and turned it into L.I.N.T., an acronym for ”Ladies in New Textiles,” and in the process formed a new kind of textile community.  This group of twelve women will present a month-long show at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts in the old City Hall at 225 W. State Street, from May 2-31, with an opening reception to meet the artists on Friday, May 2 from 7-9 pm. 

Together they speak of their individual work with textiles in an affirmative way.  “The contemporary art quilt and surface design movement inspired a few quilt artists in 1996 to form L.I.N.T.   – (We are) a group of nouveau textile artists who create highly personal and unique works that offer differing visual textures of cloth in the form of wall art,” L.I.N.T. members wrote in a group statement about their history and mission.

Whether using their quilt art to tell stories, raise public awareness of textile art, support each other through networking, or share ideas, these artists bring a diversity of ideas, materials, and talent to the group.  “As non-traditional artists we focus on creating work using a variety of surface design techniques including: fabric dyeing, painting, hand and machine sewing/embroidery, color xerography, stamping, beading, air-brush techniques, photo transfer, collage, appliqué, fabric manipulation, silkscreen printing, blueprinting, batik, shibori, trapunto, text, and metal foil lamination.  The power of the work is derived from its visual and tactile impact, using story, idea, color choices, material, texture, composition and craftsmanship,” their statement continues.

Members of the group are Norma Bradley, Peggy DeBell, Vicki Essig, Diana DeNardis, Suzanne Gernandt, Janice Maddox, Bernie Rowell, Judy Simmons, Kathy Spencer, Jude Stuecker, Jen Swearington, and Susan Webb Lee.

For more information, call 828/669-0930 or visit www.BlackMountainArts.org.  The Center for the Arts is open Monday-Friday 10-5, and Saturday 1-4, but will be closed Saturday through Monday of Memorial Day weekend.