Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints

Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints, an exhibition focused on the art of quilt-making, presents seventeen works by seven fiber artists representing the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Curated by internationally renowned artist and teacher Nancy Crow, Material Pulses contributes to the dialogue of contemporary textile arts. Says Crow, “Material Pulses is the culmination of my mission to bring back the majesty, strength, and energy of textile works, particularly large quilts.”

Crow has seen trends in the medium follow a track of smaller quilts in more neutral colors, and asked, why? The pull of quilting lies in its large, forceful presence and the freedom to use color joyously. Making a quilt is a physical activity, involving piecing parts on working spaces that can span entire walls.

The exhibition features quilts, mixed media, and installation work. Quilts of up to 101 inches high will be featured, for dramatic scale of an art form that is often relegated to its functional qualities. The artists investigate color, pattern, and size through traditional and experimental quilt-making applications. The curator balances a focus on shapes with oversized works, exploring excellence in machine quilting and surface design.

The exhibition’s artists bring their techniques and vision to realizing this celebration of contemporary textile arts. Among them, Elizabeth Brandt balances large geometric and organic shapes, while at the same time flirting with a demanding dark palette. Jayne Willoughby’s work on one side seems contemplative, while the other spouts riotous color systems. Mary Lou Alexander has been exploring shibori (a Japanese dyeing method) for decades, and utilized this technique to exemplify the beauty of mark-making. Barb Wills printed her fabrics, both cotton and silk, with original woodcuts created from Shina wood, using cutting tools from Japan.

The exhibition artists are Denise L. Roberts, Albright, WV; Claire Benn, Surrey, England; Jayne Willoughby, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mary Lou Alexander, Hubbard, OH; Christine Mauersberger, Cleveland, OH; Barb Wills, Prescott, AZ; and Elizabeth Brandt, Holland, MI.

Curator Nancy Crow has taught quilt-making as an art form in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United states. She is the cofounder of Quilt Surface Design and Quilt National. The exhibition is organized by Mid-America Arts Alliance and ExhibitsUSA.

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Tour Schedule

Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints is touring October 2018 through August 2023. The dates below reflect seven-week exhibition periods. Dates are subject to change; please contact MoreArt@maaa.org or (800) 473-3872 x208/209 for current availability.

  • October 6, 2018–January 13, 2019 Mississippi Museum of Art
    Jackson, MS     booked
  • January 28–March 16, 2019 Price Tower Arts Center
    Bartlesville, OK     booked
  • April 6–August 11, 2019 Mississippi Arts + Entertainment
    Meridian, MS     booked
  • September 1–October 20, 2019 Charles H MacNider Art Museum
    Mason City, IA     booked
  • November 10, 2019–January 7, 2020 Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum
    Temple, TX     booked
  • January 28–March 16, 2020 Sordoni Art Gallery, Wilkes University
    Wilkes-Barre, PA     booked
  • September 1–October 20, 2020 Stauth Memorial Museum
    Montezuma, KS     booked
  • November 10, 2020–January 7, 2021 Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs
    Bonita Springs, FL     booked
  • January 28–March 16, 2021 Refurbishment
    Kansas City, MO     booked
  • April 6–May 25, 2021 City of Carlsbad
    Carlsbad, CA     booked
  • June 16–August 11, 2021 Barton Community College
    Great Bend, KS     booked
  • January 28–March 16, 2022 Susquehanna University
    Selinsgrove, PA     booked
  • April 6–June 2, 2022 Museum of the Mississippi Delta
    Greenwood, MS     booked
  • June 24–October 20, 2022 Clay Center
    Charleston, WV     booked
  • November 10, 2022–March 16, 2023 The National Willa Cather Center
    Red Cloud, NE     booked
  • April 6–May 25, 2023 Carver County Historical Society
    Waconia, MN     pending
  • June 16–August 11, 2023 Southern Ohio Museum
    Portsmouth, OH     booked

Exhibition Details

Seventeen large-scale quilts by seven artists

  • Content

    Fee Includes
    Press Kit
    Registrar’s Packet
    Programming Guide
    Gallery Guide
    Text Panels
    Narrative Labels
    Full Insurance
    Installation Instructions
    Custom-Designed and Built Crates

  • Curated By

    Nancy Crow, Cofounder of Quilt Surface Design Symposium and Quilt National

  • Organized By

    ExhibitsUSA, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Kansas City, MO

  • Out-of-Region Rental Fee

    $4,150

  • In-Region Rental Fee

    $2,905

  • Duration

    7-week display

  • Shipping

    Van Line

  • Running Feet

    255

  • Square Feet

    50

  • Security

    Moderate B

  • Number of Crates/Total Weight

    TBD

  • Insurance

    The exhibition is fully insured by ExhibitsUSA at no additional expense to you, both while installed and during transit.