August 22 – September 2, 2024 • Minnesota State Fairgrounds • Selections from A Common Thread 2023 and Fine Art/Fiber

  • A stop by the Fine Arts Exhibit in the Fine Arts Building celebrated the presence of textiles and fiber art–growing stronger every year. 
  • A visit to Creative Activities–FILLED with a dizzying array of textile and fiber art projects made by the citizens of Minnesota–from the traditional to the functional to the outrageous–continued to demonstrate that Fiber Art is one of the most popular pastimes in our state.

Textile Center’s display of selections from A Common Thread 2023 member show in the Creative Activities Building at the 2024 State Fair featured another terrific collection of work that showcased the breadth and talent of our Textile Center member artists.

2024 State Fair featured member artists:

  • Lisa Brenner, Colors of Pearls
  • Nancy Fulton, Motifs From the Bacton Altar Cloth
  • Carolyn Halliday, Mourning Cloth 11
  • Cheryl Kosarek, Out on a Limb
  • Candy Kuehn, Test for Summer Elementals
  • Carol Mashuga, Rainy Nights in Georgia
  • K.E. Rajcic, Desert Rose Selenite
  • Theodore Stumpf, Three Towers of Minneapolis
  • Lorri Talberg, And so it Begins
  • Heather Tinkham, Beginnings in the Circle
  • Rebecca Yaker, My Mangrove
  • Robbie LaFleur, Nest (Golden-Winged Warblers are Happy in Their Minnesota Habitat)

Congrats goes to Kristin Williams, winner of the 2024 Textile Center Award for Excellence and Innovation in Fine Arts!

“Sprout is a captivating blend of craft and charm, bringing a beloved pet to life with remarkable spunk and detail, from the lifelike eyes to the straggly, textured fur. Sprout’s playful stance and expressive features evoke a sense of joy and affection — a work that truly resonates with anyone.” 
– Liz Stensland, Retail Program Specialist

Congrats to MN State Fair Creative Activities winners of the 2024 Basket Weaving at Textile Center Awards!

Basket Weaving at Textile Center is a new initiative that resulted when the Minnesota Basket Weavers Guild was dissolved.  Thank you to this special interest group at Textile Center for providing funds for these special awards in 2024! (Textile Center does not select the winners.  They are chosen by the State Fair Judges in each division and class.)
This year’s First Place Ribbon Winners are:
Class 584- Basketry, Randing- Holly Stewart, Bryon, MN
Class 585- Basketry- Twining- Frances Shirley, Blaine, MN
Class 586- Basketry, Framework- Frances Shirley, Blaine, MN
Class 587- Basketry, Coiled- Carol Brouillard, Minneapolis, MN
Class 588- Basketry, Other or Mixed Technique- Sharon Belsaas, Eden Prairie, MN
Class 923/9501- Work of Senior Citizens- Sharon Belsaas, Eden Prairie, MN