Page 2 - 50 Years of Fiber Art: The Fiber Artists of San Antonio Exhibition Catalog

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

UIW DEPARTMENT OF ART PRESENTS THE
50TH FASA ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION

The annual Fiber Artists of San Antonio Art Exhibition is on view November 6 through December 9, at the Kelso
Art Center, University of Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX. The theme of the exhibit, “Fifty Years of Fiber Art,”
celebrates the organization’s fifty-year history.

Fiber Artists from across the region and the U.S. present work inspired by culturally significant milestones of
each decade since the 1970’s - fashion or design, pop culture, music, architecture, notable people, places or
events, or even a more personal story about the artist’s experiences.

Jurored by Paula Owen, president emerita of Southwest School of Art, this compelling exhibit spans time and
technique, reflecting the stories, trends, and topics of the last fifty years told through the medium of fiber.

Leigh Lambert (2022) Terry Gay Puckett (2022) Grue Shackleford (2022)

A BRIEF HISTORY NOTE

The Fiber Artists of San Antonio (FASA) organization owes its founding to Mary Heickman, who was originally
from Houston. Mary was one of the original Texas fiber artists. She was also a teacher and taught fiber
techniques to the wives of the astronauts who were living in Houston at the time.

In 1971, she moved to San Antonio and began teaching fiber arts here at the Southwest School of Arts and
Craft. Mary’s work inspired the original San Antonio group, which came together in 1972 with eleven members.
Two of those original eleven fiber aritsts - Jean Peffers and Barbara Friedson - are still active members in
FASA today.

The organization was first called “Creative Stitchers,” but in the mid-1980’s the name was changed to more
accurately reflect the group – Fiber Artists of San Antonio. In 1995, the group presented its first Fashion
Runway Show to the public, and over the years, this event has raised thousands of dollars in scholarship
funds for students pursuing studies in the fiber arts. In 2008, FASA acquired its status as a 501(c)3 nonprofit
organization and continues to sponsor many community outreach efforts including the San Antonio Food Bank.