Susan Avila is an artist and Professor of Design who uses textiles to enhance perception of contemporary culture. She focuses on repurposing waste from the garment/textile industry into new textile structures and combines traditional hand crafts with technology. She has exhibited work in Argentina, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Finland, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Swaziland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, and Uruguay as well as numerous exhibitions in the United States. Her artwork is included in several books and periodicals including TEXTILES. The Art of Mankind and Artistry in Fiber (all three volumes). She has published articles in Fiberarts, Ornament, Selvedge, Surface Design Journal and Textilforum. She was a Chutian Scholar at Wuhan Textile University in Wuhan, China 2000-2015 and from1999-2010 she was the co-creator of the website, FiberScene.com.
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018
Pedasos Salvados, Institución Universitaria Pascual Bravo, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
2015
Matters of Dis-Ease, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma
2013
A Natural Phenomenon, Espace Odyssée, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
2011
A Sartorial Nature, The Fashion Gallery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
2010
Oh Naturale, Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
2008
City Gardens, Suzhou Art & Design Technology Institute, Suzhou, China,
City Gardens, Wuhan University of Science and Engineering, Wuhan, China
2008
Shoescapes, San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, San Jose, CA
2006
Shoe Stories, Contemporary Crafts Museum & Gallery, Portland, OR
2005
Byzantine Las Vegas De Novo, Pi Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2004
Byzantine Las Vegas, Charleston Heights Arts Center Gallery, Las Vegas, NV
2003
All Sewn Up, The Sturm Gallery, Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, NV
2002
Contained in Stitches, Stevenson Union Gallery, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR
1999
Susan Taber Avila, Threads of Light, Sonoma Museum of Visual Art, Santa Rosa, CA
1989
Susan Taber Avila, Los Gatos Museum, Los Gatos, CA
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
ARTin Embassies Exhibition, U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, through 2014
2010
Machine Stitch Perspectives, The Knitting & Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London, UK; RDS Dublin, Ireland; Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate, UK 2009
Body Sculpture: Explorations in Form, Material and Function, Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 2008
From Lausanne to Beijing 5th International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition, international juried exhibition, School of Art & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China 2007
Off The Wall, Translations Gallery, Denver, CO 2006
Basket Invitational 2006, Snyderman-Works Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
2005
Contemporary Fiber Art--A Sampler, Sisneros Fine Art, Tulsa, OK
2004
33rd Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition, Emeryville, CA
Beyond the Surface, St. Louis Art Guild, St. Louis, MO
10x10x10xTieton, Mighty Tieton Warehouse, Tieton, WA
2018 World of Wearable Art Exhibition, World of Wearable Art & Classic Car Museum, Nelson, New Zealand
World of Wearable Art, Three weeks of performances, TSB Arena, Wellington, New Zealand
Embroidery and Contemporary Life 2018 Chaozhou International Embroidery Art Biennale, Chaozhou, China
From Lausanne to Beijing 10th International Fiber Art Biennale, Tsinghua University Art Museum, Beijing, China
In A Different Voice: Fiber Art in a Care Narrative, Visual Art Center, Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University, University Art Gallery, Beijing, China
The Gift Project, Edition 2, Cumhuriyet Museum Art Gallery, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
Alto Punto (in conjunction with World Textile Art), Fundación Pablo Atchugarry, Punta del Este, Uruguay
Arte Textil de Pequeño Formato for World Textile Art, Teatro Solis, Montevideo, Uruguay
Art al Vent XIV, Town Hall of Gata de Gorgos, Spain
Wearable Expressions, Palos Verdes Art Center, Palos Verdes, CA
From Lausanne to Beijing 9th International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition , Guan Shan Yue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
Contemporary Art of Shibori and Ikat, Centro de las Artes de San Agustin, Oaxaca, Mexico
Body as Agent: Changing Fashion Art, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA
Between Worlds, Innovation and Design in Textiles and Costume, Cumhuriyet Museum Art Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey
Critical Costume 2015, Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland
From Lausanne to Beijing 8th International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition, 1895 Art Zone, Nantong, China
Art al Vent XI, Town Hall of Gata de Gorgos, Spain
Connected by a Thread ,UC Davis Design Museum
International Weaving Art Exhibition--Inheritance & Innovations 2013 , Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
La Triennale Internationale des Arts Textiles en Outaouais, Moon Rain Centre, Gatineau Hills, Quebec, Canada (outdoor installation in collaboration with Karina Bergmans.)
Art al Vent X, Town Hall of Gata de Gorgos, Spain
Innovators & Legends: Generations in Textiles and Fibers, Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI, traveling exhibition through 2014, continues to: Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, New York, University of Kentucky Art Museum, Lexington, Kentucky, Colorado State University Art Museum, Fort Collins, Colorado
Fiber Hawaii "in, of or about fiber," Honolulu Museum of Art School Gallery, Honolulu, HI
Green Textiles Conceptual Textile Art Mixed Exhibition, Akdeniz University Olbia Art Gallery, Antalya, Turkey
Exhibition of Contemporary Textile Arts From Masters, Antalya Chamber of Architects Tar?k Ak?ltopu Art Gallery, Antalya, Turkey
6th International Biennial of Textile Art, Salon for Recyclability in Textile Art, Centro de las Artes de San Agustin, Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico
Faction Politic, UD@Crane Gallery, University of Delaware, Philadelphia, PA
stickstich 011, Stadt-Galerie Plauen, Plauen, Germany
From Lausanne to Beijing 6th International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition, Henan Art Museum, Zhengzhou, China
Exposition of Creators Invited by Redtextilia, Omar Dengo Foundation, San José, Costa Rica
By a Thread, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA
5th International Biennial of Textile Art, Palais de Glace, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Intertwined: Contemporary Baskets from the Sara and David Lieberman Collection, Palo Alto Cultural Center, Palo Alto, CA, traveling exhibition starting in 12/05 at Arizona State University Art Museum, AZ, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, TX, continuing to James A. Michener Art Museum, PA, Bellevue Arts Center, WA, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM
ART in Embassies Exhibition, U.S. Embassy in Mbabane, Swaziland, through 2010
From Lausanne to Beijing 4th International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition (Suzhou), international juried exhibition, Gallery of Suzhou Art & Design Technology Institute, Suzhou, China
By The Hand. A National Juried Exhibition of Traditional & Innovative Craft Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
Material Culture. The Fine Art of Textile, Salt Lake Art Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Contemporary Baskets, Del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
5th International Fiber Biennial, Snyderman-Works Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
Beyond the Weave: New Directions in Fiber Art Oakland International Airport (Oakland Museum of California partnership), Oakland, CA
Textile 05, international juried exhibition, M. K.Ciurlionis National Museum of Art, Kaunas, Lithuania
In the Narrative: Textiles Object/Word THE I.E. Millstone Gallery at COCA, St. Louis, MO
Celebrating Bay Area Textile Artists, Jack London Square Partners LLC, 70 Washington St., Oakland, CA
From Lausanne to Beijing: 3rd International Fiber Art Biennale, international juried exhibition, Academy of Art & Design Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
Basketry Invitational, Snyderman-Works Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
The Artful Table, Exploding Head Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2003
Far Off The Runway: Images of Clothing, Virginia Breier, San Francisco, CA
Generations/Transformations: American Fiber Art, American Textile History Museum, Lowell, MA
Needle Art: A Postmodern Sewing Circle traveling exhibition 9/2003 through 8/2006, including J. Wayne Stark University Ctr. Galleries, College Station, TX, Ellen Noel Art Museum, Odessa, TX, Milton Hershey School Museum, Hershey, PA, Blanden Memorial Art Museum, Fort Dodge, IA
2002
The Art of Collecting, Sonoma Museum of Visual Art, Santa Rosa, CA
Bay Area Art V, juried exhibition, Napa Valley College Fine Arts Gallery, Napa, CA
Bold Expressions, international juried exhibition, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento,CA
2001
Beyond Thread: (a)mending social thought, Braunstein/Quay Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2000
Measure for Measure, Juried Exhibition, H&R Block Artspace at the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Persistent Anomaly: Visual Arts in Fiber, Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Sacramento, CA
14th Emeryville Art Exhibition, Juried Exhibition, Hollis Business Center, Emeryville, CA
Inspirations and Outcomes, Fort Mason Bldg. #D, in conjunction with the Tribal Arts Show, San Francisco, CA
1999
Vessel Forms/Fiber Techniques, Virginia Breier Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Art of the Stitch, International Juried Exhibition, Barbican Centre-Concourse Gallery, London, UK, traveling to Shipley Art Gallery, Tyne and Wear, UK
Needlearts, Invitational Exhibition, Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
1998
Threads on the Edge,Four Person Exhibition, University of Wisconsin, Madison Design Gallery, Madison, WI
Fiber Art Exhibition, Nortel Corporate Galleries, Santa Clara, CA
Defining Fiber, Braunstein/Quay Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1997
Fiber 97, Juried Exhibition, Textile Arts Centre, Chicago, IL
Fiberart International '97, Juried Exhibition, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh, PA
Mid-Atlantic Art Exhibition, Juried Exhibition, d'Art Center, Norfolk, VA
1996
From Every Angle, Juried Sculpture Exhibition, Galeria Mesa, Mesa, AZ, Juror's Award
California Works, Juried Exhibition, Expo Center, 1996 California State Fair, Sacramento, CA, Award of Merit
Chautauqua International for Fiber Art, Juried Exhibition, Adams Art Gallery, Dunkirk, NY
Materials Hard & Soft, Juried Exhibition, Meadows Gallery, Denton, TX
MFA Degree show, Buehler Alumni Center, UC Davis, Davis, CA
ProFemina Research Consortium, UC Davis, Davis, CA
1995
New Faces in Basketry, Banaker Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Student Design Exhibition, Juried Exhibition, Design Gallery, UC Davis, Davis, CA, First Place Graduate Division
1994
Materials Hard & Soft, Juried Exhibition, Meadows Gallery, Denton, TX
26th Annual Textile Exhibition, Juried Exhibition, Olive Hyde Gallery, Fremont, CA
Needle Works II, Juried Exhibition, Benicia Camel Barn Museum, Benicia, CA, Best Innovative Work
1990
Baskets by Susan Taber, Young Gallery, Saratoga, CA
Focus: American Baskets, Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, Katie Gingrass Gallery, Santa Fe, NM and Milwaukee, WI
22nd Annual Textile Exhibition, Juried Exhibition, Olive Hyde Gallery, Fremont, CA
1989
Oil Drops & Tattooed Spots, Two Person Exhibition, Olive Hyde Art Gallery, Fremont, CA
Focus: American Baskets, Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, Katie Gingrass Gallery, Santa Fe, NM and Milwaukee, WI
Fiber Miniatures '89: A Show of Hands, Juried Exhibition, The Carnegie Art Museum of Oxnard, Oxnard, CA
Juried Fiber Arts Exhibition, Juried Exhibition, Todd Madigan Art Gallery, Bakersfield, CA
1988
About Fiber, Juried Exhibition, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
Small Forms, Juried Exhibition, Textile Arts Centre, Chicago, IL
Needle Expressions, Juried Exhibition, McLean County Arts Center, Bloomington, IL, Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester, MA, Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, CA, traveling show through 1989
The Manipulated Thread, Juried Exhibition, Missoula Museum of the Arts, University of Montana, Paxson Gallery, Missoula, MT
20th Annual Textile Exhibition, Juried Exhibition, Olive Hyde Gallery, Fremont, CA, First Place
Paper/Fiber XI, Juried Exhibition, The Arts Center, Iowa City, IA
The Container Show, Juried Exhibition, South Dallas Cultural Center, Dallas, TX, Juror's Award
Fiber Structure National VI, Juried Exhibition, Downey Museum of Art, Downey, CA
1987
Contemporary Container Exhibit, Juried Exhibition, Redding Museum, Redding, CA
Fiber Structure National V, Juried Exhibition, Downey Museum of Art, Downey, CA
16th Annual 3-D Art Regional, Juried Exhibition, San Jose Art League, San Jose, CA
1986
Degree Show, Solo Exhibition, Goldsmiths' College, London, England
1985
Textile Expressions, Juried Exhibition, Fiberworks Gallery, Berkeley, CA
17th Annual Textile Exhibition, Juried Exhibition, Olive Hyde Gallery, Fremont, CA, Best of Show
Point of Departure-Surface Explored, Juried Exhibition, California Crafts Museum, San Francisco, CA
AWARDS AND PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
2019
Purchase Award, City of Emeryville
2018
Finalist, World of Wearable Art Competition
2014
UC Davis Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research
2014
Department of State Arts Envoy to Costa Rica
2013
Acquisition Award, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and Arts
2012
Chutian Scholar Award, Wuhan Textile University
2011
6th International Biennial of Textile Art, Salon for Recyclability in Textile Art, Honorable Mention
2010
Center for Cultural Innovation, Investing in Artists Grant: Artist Equipment & Tools
2009
Sunshine Scholarship Wuhan Textile University (formerly Wuhan University of Science & Engineering)
2008
From Lausanne to Beijing: 5th International Fiber Art Biennale, Beijing, China, Outstanding Honorable Mention
2006
From Lausanne to Beijing: 4th International Fiber Art Biennale (Suzhou), Suzhou, China, Silver Medal
2004
From Lausanne to Beijing: 3rd International Fiber Art Biennale, Shanghai, China, Outstanding Honorable Mention
2002
Bold Expressions, Sacramento, CA, Award of Excellence
1994-1996
Teaching Assistantships, UC Davis, studio and lecture courses
1996
From Every Angle, Mesa, AZ, Juror's Award
California Works, Sacramento, CA, Award of Merit
1995
Jastro Shields Research Grant, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis, for research in Guatemala
UC Davis Humanities Research Grant for project in Guatemala
Student Design Exhibition, Davis, CA, First Place Graduate Division
1994
Needle Works II, Benicia, CA, Best Innovative Work
1988
20th Annual Textile Exhibition, Fremont, CA, First Place
The Container Show, Dallas, TX, Juror's Award
1985
17th Annual Textile Exhibition, Fremont, CA, Best of Show
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
City of Emeryville Public Art Collection
Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
University of California, Berkeley, University Health Service
Alameda County Public Art Collection, Oakland, California
Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara, California
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, De Young Museum
City of Richmond Public Art Collection, Richmond, California
WORK FEATURED IN:
Reviews:
Siddons, Louise. “Susan Taber Avila: Matters of Dis-Ease.” Surface Design Journal 39:4 Winter 2015: 70-71.
Watts, James D. Jr.. “Seeing red: Art exhibit blends health, fashion, at Tulsa gallery.” Tulsa World, Thursday, August 13, 2015.
Koeppe, Tina. "Susan Taber Avila: Oh Naturale." Surface Design Journal 35:2 Winter 2011:56-57.
Wolgamott, L. Kent. "'Oh Naturale' is a Captivating Exhibition." Lincoln Journal Star, Saturday, March 20, 2010
Hemmings, Jessica. “From Lausanne to Beijing Fourth Fiber Biennial.” Surface Design Journal 32:2 Winter 2008: 58-59
Gilsdorf, Bean. "Susan Taber Avila: Shoe Stories." Fiberarts, 33:4 January/February 2007:57
Roberts, Prudence. "Susan Taber Avila at the Contemporary Crafts Museum & Gallery." Artweek 37:8 October 2006: 19.
Anania, Katherine. "Review Susan Taber Avila." American Craft 64:4 August/September 2004:70-71
Hemmings, Jessica. "Beyond Thread." Surface Design Journal 26:3 Spring 2002: 44-45.
Malarcher, Patricia. "Measure for Measure The Contemplative Stitch." Surface Design Journal25:2 Winter 2001:51.
Gordon, Allan. "'Persistent Anomaly: Visual Arts in Fiber' at Solomon Dubnick Gallery." Artweek, 31:4 April 2000:21.
Clowes, Jody. "Threads on the Edge in Wisconsin." Fiberarts 25:3 November/December 1998: 57.
Review of Needle Expressions '88, The New York Times, Sunday August 27, 1989
Review of Tattooed Spots & Oil Drops, San Jose Mercury News, Wednesday, March 29, 1989
Catalogues, Books, and Multimedia:
Lee, Anne and Rooney, E. Ashley. Artistry in Fiber, Vol. 1: Wall Art. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing 2017. Pp. 20-21.
Lee, Anne and Rooney, E. Ashley. Artistry in Fiber, Vol. 2: Sculpture. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing 2017. Pp. 22-23.
Lee, Anne and Rooney, E. Ashley. Artistry in Fiber, Vol. 3: Wearable Art. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing 2017. Pp. 12-15.
Catalogue, Innovators & Legends. Generations in Textiles and Fiber. Muskegon, MI: Muskegon Museum of Art, 2012. Pp. 18-19
Schoeser, Mary, M.,TEXTILES The Art of Mankind. New York, NY: Thames & Hudson, 2012. Pp.146, 359, 426.
Catalogue, From Lausanne to Beijing 7th International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition (Nantong), 2012. Pg. 209.
Catalogue, 6th International Biennial of Textile Art, Salon for Recyclability in Textile Art, 2011. Back cover, Pg. 40.
Catalogue, From Lausanne to Beijing 6th International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition (Zhengzhou), 2010. Pg. 178
Kettle, Alice and McKeating, Jane., Machine Stitch Perspectives. A&C Black London 2010. Pp. 60-61.
DVD, Oh Naturale, The Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, University of Nebraska Lincoln, 2010.
Catalogue, Richmond Memorial Civic Center Revitalization Public Art Program, 2009. pg. 68 and in back cover collage.
Catalogue, World Textile Art 5a Bienal Internacional de Arte Textil, 2009. Pg. 131
Cole, Drusilla, Textiles Now. London, UK: Laurence King Publishing 2008. Pp.202,205,262-3,264-5
Monem, Nadine, Contemporary Textiles: The Fabric of Fine Art. London, UK: Black Dog Publishing 2008. Pp. 148, 190.
Catalogue, City Gardens Exhibition, 2008
Catalogue, From Lausanne to Beijing 5th International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition (Beijing), 2008. Pg. 173
Catalogue, ART in Embassies Exhibition, 2008
Catalogue, From Lausanne to Beijing 4th International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition (Suzhou), 2006
Catalogue, Contemporary Baskets, 2006
Kieffer, Susan M., ed. 500 Baskets: A Celebration of the Basketmaker's Art. New York, NY: Lark Books 2006
Catalogue, Textile 05, 2005
Catalogue, From Lausanne to Beijing 3rd International Fiber Art Biennale Exhibition (Shanghai), 2004
Kieffer, Susan M., ed. Fiberarts Design Book Seven. Asheville, NC: Lark Books. 2004. Pg. 112
Catalogue, Generations/Transformations: American Fiber Art, 2003.
Orbin, Nancy, ed. Fiberarts Design Book Six. Asheville, NC: Lark Books. 1999. Pg. 19
Catalogue, Defining Fiber, 1998
Catalogue, Materials Hard & Soft, 1994
Catalogue, The Manipulated Thread, 1988
Catalogue, Needle Expressions, 1988
Illustrated citations & Articles:
"Oh Naturale in Nebraska." Fiberarts 36:5 April/May 2010:20
Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, 2009-10 Gallery Guide.
"Exposure." Surface Design Journal 31:2 Winter 2007: 61.
"Gallery." American Craft 66:9 December 2006/January 2007: 72
Gallery Issue. Surface Design Journal 30:5 September 2006: 8,43
"Material Culture: The Fine Art of Textile." Salt Lake City Art Center Summer News 2006: 4-5
"On The Town: Art." Portland Monthly, August 2006: 188
Koppman, Debra. "Previews 'Material Culture.'" Artweek 37:5 June 2006: 24-25
"Fiber Biennial Highlights Communication, Current Events." Fiberarts 32:5 April/May 2006:12 "Summer Conference Exhibits: A Sampling." Fiberarts 32:3 November/December 2005: 57
Kallenborn, Carolyn and Malarcher, Patricia. "Kansas City Galleries to Focus on Fiber in June." Surface Design Newsletter 18:2 Spring 2005:1-2
Yowell, Erika. "Golden Touch." Las Vegas Mercury 4:8 February 19-25, 2004: 30.
"Artist of the Week" El Paso Times, Sunday, February 1, 2004.
"Gallery." American Craft 63:4 August/September 2003: 76
Patterson, Sunita. "Generations/Transformations." Fiberarts, 30: 1 Summer 2003:41-42.
Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot 34:2 Spring 2003, front cover.
Tuttle, Nancye. "Works From the Warp and Woof of Life." The Lowell Sun Thursday, April 17, 2003:S6
Oktay, Diane. "Flowing Across Generations: Mentoring in the World of Fiber Art." The Overshot 8:2 Spring 2003:1,4-5.
"Artist of the Week" El Paso Times, Sunday, April 6, 2003.
Wong, Jennifer. "Uncommon Threads: The Diversity of Fiber Art." Art Business News 29: 13 December 2002:44-47
Chargeurs Annual Report, Paris, France, 2002: 9, French and English versions.
"Gallery." American Craft 61: 6 December 2001/January 2002:80
Thompson, Sandy. "Susan Taber Avila: Creative Investigations." Fiberarts 26: 4 January/February 2000:14
"Spotlight on Education." Surface Design Journal 25:1 Fall 2000:55
"Best Bets: Art Trio." The Press Democrat, Sunday, June 6, 1999
"Magazines feature works by El Pasoan." The El Paso Times, Sunday, November 8, 1998
"Exposure." Surface Design Journal 23:1 Fall 1998: 43.
"Portfolio Susan Taber Avila." American Craft Magazine 58:4 August/September 1998: 77.
Brazill, Linda. "Embroidery artists start with thread of an idea." The Capital Times April 1, 1998.
Threads Magazine, Dec. 1988--Jan. 1989 issue, back cover
PUBLICATIONS BY SUSAN TABER AVILA
Avila, S. "Over the Rainbow. The Art of Chiachio & Giannone". Selvedge. Issue 92 January/February 2020: 34-37
Avila, S. "Jo Ann C. Stabb. A Legacy Promoting Wearable Art". Surface Design Journal 41:2 Summer 2017: 12-15.
Avila, S. "10th International Shibori Symposium". Surface Design Journal 41:1 Spring 2017: 72-73.
Avila, S. “Fashion Victims” at the Bata Shoe Museum. Ornament 38:5 2016: 24-25.
Avila, S. "Beili Liu: Poetery in Space." Surface Design Journal 37:1 Fall 2012:38-41
Avila, S. "Wrapping Traditions: Korean Textiles Now." Surface Design Journal 36:3 Spring 2012: 56-57. (Exhibition Review)
Avila, S. "Report From Xalapa. The 6th World Textile Art (WTA) Biennial in Mexico." Textile Forum 3/2011. September 2011:16
Avila, S. "Redtextilia in Costa Rica." Fiberarts 37:4 Winter 2010/11:12-13
FiberScene.com, a web site devoted to S.F. Bay Area Fiber Art. In partnership with Myra Goodall Block. 1999-2010 Avila. S. "Imagination Activist." Fiberarts 36:3 Nov/Dec 2009: 52-55
Avila. S. "Connecting with Universities in China." Fiberarts 36:3 Nov/Dec 2009: 62
Avila.S. "Martin Churba. A Textile Alchemist." Ornament 32:5 2009: 42-47
Avila. S. "Tramemos (We Weave)." Fiberarts 36:2 September/October 2009: 9
Avila, S. "United States & Thailand Celebrate Bhutanese Textiles," Fiberarts 35:5 April/May 2009:62-63.
Avila, S.,"Italy’s La Tessitura: Design Lab and Concept Store", Fiberarts 34:2 September/October 2007:58-59.
Avila, S. (translated into Chinese by Xu Chunyan) "Creating Structure with Fabric and Thread", Journal of Suzhou Art & Design Technology Institute,16:1/2007:61-66.
Avila, S. and Nguyen, D.,"Si Hoang. Ao Dai Artistry", Ornament 30:4 2007: 52-55.
Avila, S., "Shoe Stories: A Textile Art Narrative." Abstract in 2006 Seoul The Costume Culture Association & Ars Textrina Joint International Conference Proceedings, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea, 2006
Avila, S., "Geometry Awry: Creating Structure and Form with Dissolvable Fabric." Ars Textrina International Textiles Conference Abstracts, University of Leeds, UK, 2005
Avila, S., (translated by Graciela Smith) "Desde Lausanne a Beijing." (From Lausanne to Beijing), Revista Magenta 13: 127 May 2005:36-38 (Critical Exhibition Review, published in Argentina)
Avila, S., "Intersections II." Surface Design Journal 29:3 Spring 2005:50-51. (Critical Exhibition Review)
Avila, S., "Looming Large: Contemporary Weavers of the Vanguard," Surface Design Journal 28: 1 Fall 2003:48-49. (Critical Exhibition Review)
Avila, S. and Block, M., "The Shining Cloth," Fiberarts 27:4 January/February 2001:61. (Book Review)
Avila, S. and Block, M, "Business Bites: www.fiberscene.com," Surface Design Newsletter, Spring 2000.
Avila, S., "Culturized Merit. Mary Yaeger Traces Behavioral Patterns in Thread," Surface Design Journal 22:2 Winter 1998: 23-25,57.
Avila, S., "Mayan Machine Embroidery. Keeping Culture Alive," Ornament 19: 3 Spring 1996: 48 51.
Avila, S., "Embroidery and the Modern Mayan Woman," 14th Annual ARS Textrina International Conference on Textiles Proceedings, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 1996.
LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS
World of Wearable Art. Networking presentation at the XVIIII Europeant Textile Network, ETN, Haslach, Austria, July 31, 2019
Trash Talk Textiles. Invited lecture Guangzhou Academy of Fine art, Guangzhou, China, May 8, 2019
Repurposing Waste Into Artwork with a Social Message. Invited speaker 7th International Sustainable Design Symposium, Pascual Bravo University, Medellin, Columbia, September 20, 2018.
The Connection Between Fashion and Art, Invited lecture, Shanghai University of Science and Engineering, Shanghai, China, March 26, 2018
Bridging the Art and Fashion Divide, Invited lecture World Textile Art Biennial, Montevideo, Uruguay, October 7, 2017
Promoting Health & Wellbeing Through Textile Art, Pechakucha presentation at Making our Mark, International Surface Design Association 40th Anniversary Conference, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, August 4, 2017
Matters of Dis-Ease: Textile Art as a Tool for Promoting Awareness of Women’s Health, Networking presentation at CROSSOVER BORÅS 2017 The XVIII conference of the European Textile Network, ETN, Boras, Sweden, Sept. 117, 2017
Matters of Dis-Ease, Paper presentation and Fashion Show exhibition at The International Biennial Symposium Conference “Scythia” at the Kherson Local Lore Museum, Kherson, Ukraine, June 16, 2017 (talk) and June 17, 2017 (fashion show).
Using Textiles to Promote Awareness of Women’s Cardiovascular Disease, Paper presentation at International Textile Costume Congress, Marmars University, Istanbul, Turkey, Nov. 5, 2015,
Playing Nice with Others: A Practical Perspective on the Collaborative Process. Lecture at 17th European Textile Network conference. Leiden, The Netherlands. May 17, 2015.
Connecting the Threads. Flash talk at Critical Costume 2015, Helsinki, Finland, March 26, 2015
Surface and Structure. The Stitches of Susan Taber Avila. deYoung Museum, San Francisco, January 17, 2015.
The Language of Textile Art. Featured lecture, China Textile Design Competition and International Conference at the Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, March 25, 2013.
TEXT/iles. Public lecture in conjunction with jurying Fiber Hawaii, Honolulu Museum of Art School, Honolulu, HI
A Sartorial View of Nature. Paper presentation at 1st International Antalya Fashion and Textile Design Symposium, Antalya, Turkey, October 9, 2012.
Alternative Paradigms for Fashion Design: Trickle Up, Trickle Down, Trickle Sideways. Public lecture at The Fashion and Textile Resource Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, September 1, 2011
Textiles and Text: The Significance of Words and Language Embedded in Textiles. Paper presentation, International Conference: Considerations Between Textiles and Society: A Recapitulation,, Xalapa, Mexico, May 16-19, 2011
Promoting the Tactile in a Virtual World. Paper presentation at Textile Society of America Conference, Lincoln, NE, October 7, 2010
Contemporary Surface Design, PowerPoint lecture for faculty and students Wuhan Textile University, September 15, 2010
From Process to Product. Survival Skills for Textile Artists. PowerPoint lecture for First Encounter of RedTextilia Iberoamericana Organization, San José, Costa Rica, September 8, 2010
Crochet for Fiber Art & Activism, PowerPoint lecture for faculty and students Wuhan Textile University, June 24, 2010
Exploiting the Ubiquitous Stitch. The Textile Art of Susan Taber Avila. Lecture at University of Nebraska Lincoln, March 24, 2010
Building a Three-Dimensional Surface with Solvy & Stitching. Workshop at University of Nebraska Lincoln, March 23 & 25, 2010
Fiber Art. A Brief Overview of Current Trends. Lecture at Wuhan University of Science & Engineering, September 16, 2009
Baskets Combining Manmade & Natural Materials, workshop at Wuhan University of Science & Engineering, September 8-18, 2009
A Conversation with SDA Featured Artists, panel moderator, at International Surface Design Association Conference, Kansas City, MO, May 28, 2009
Personal Work /Teaching Design, Lecture for Art & Design faculty, Wuhan University of Science & Technology, November 6, 2008
Contemporary Basketry, Week long workshop at Wuhan University of Science & Technology, October 28-November 4, 2008
Fiber Art: A Personal Journey. Hubei Province Public lecture Wuhan University of Science & Technology, October 30, 2008
Fiber Art: A Personal Journey. Illustrated lecture. Suzhou Art & Design Technology Institute, Suzhou, China, October 23, 2008
Shoescapes & Other Stitches. San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, San Jose, CA February 10, 2008
Promoting Sustainability: A Silk Company’s Longevity and Environmental Awareness, Paper Presentation at ARS Textrina International Textiles Conference, University of Ulster, Belfast, Ireland, September 12, 2007
Cultural Identity Through Fabric and Thread, Presentation with Danh Nguyen at 2007 International Surface Design Association Conference, Kansas City, MO, May 31, 2007
Textile Art in Stitch. Powerpoint lecture, Suzhou Art & Design Technology Institute (International Fiber Art Symposium), Suzhou, China, October 29, 2006
From Virtual to Physical: The Basics of Making Clothing Patterns. Half day workshop for Pixar University, the continuing education program at Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville, CA, October 6, 2006
Art Talk by Susan Taber Avila. Salt Lake Art Center, Salt Lake City, UT August 30, 2006.
Shoe Stories: A Textile Art Narrative. Presentation at The Costume Culture Association & Ars Textrina Joint International Conference, Ewha Woman's University, Seoul, South Korea (international, peer-reviewed), September 2006.
Artist Talks Shoes. Talk and exhibition walk-through. Contemporary Crafts Museum & Gallery. August 2006.
Experimental Fashion. Three day workshop at Design With Heart Conference, Santa Fe, NM, March 27-29, 2005
Artist Talk. Slide lecture on my textile artwork during Friends of Fiber Art meeting, S.F., CA, October 16, 2005
Geometry Awry. Creating Form and Structure with Dissolvable Fabric. Presentation at ARS Textrina conference, University of Leeds, UK (international, peer-reviewed)
In the Studio and Beyond, Lecture/discussion on creative practice and studio tour for Senior thesis student seminar, California College of the Arts
Undressing Fashion - Redressing Global Disconnects Fashion Show, Wyatt Pavilion Theatre, UC Davis. Undergraduate Fashion Research Conference, April 8, 2005
Susan Taber Avila in the Studio, Presentation and studio tour in conjunction with Textile Society of America biennial conference, October 10, 2004
The Textile Art of Susan Taber Avila, Valley Stitchers Guild, Walnut Creek, CA, November 3, 2003
Susan Taber Avila: Creative Practice, Lecture and studio tour for the Textile Arts Council, Emeryville, CA, October 4, 2003
Susan Taber Avila: Creative Work, Sacramento Center for the Textile Arts, Sacramento, CA, October 1, 2003
Panel Discussion on Mentorship, with Cynthia Schira, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Gyöngy Laky, Marilyn Pappas, at the symposium in conjunction with Generations/Transformations: American Fiber Art, Lowell, MA, April 12, 2003
Graduate Critique, with Myra Block for Graduate Critique Seminar, UC Davis, Winter 2001
FiberScene.com, with Myra Block, California College of Arts & Crafts evening lecture series, Oakland, CA, October 18, 2000
Susan Taber Avila: Structure and Surface, College of Marin, Kentfied, CA, October 13, 2000
Life After Graduation, guest lecture for Graduate Seminar, UC Davis, November 21, 2000
Inventing Structure, studio workshop and slide lecture for Fiber Structures course, UC Davis, November 21, 2000
Discharge Printing, studio workshop for Surface Design course (DES 160A), UC Davis, Winter 1999
Guatemalan Textiles:Tradition and Change, guest lecture for World Textiles course, UC Davis, Spring 1998
Introduction to Surface Embellishment, studio workshop, Academy of Art College, San Francisco, CA, Fall 1998
Machine Embroidery and the Modern Mayan Woman, presentation at ARS Textrina conference, University of Nebraska, Lincoln (international, peer-reviewed), June 1996
Using Indigo for Ikat, guest workshop for Weaving course, UC Davis, Winter 1996
A Huipil From Quetzaltenango, guest lecture for World Textiles course, UC Davis, Spring 1996
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Surface Design Association (served on Board of Directors 2011-14)
Costume Society of America
European Textile Network
Textile Arts Council, San Francisco Bay Area
Textile Society of America
CURRENT TEACHING AFFILIATION
Professor, Department of Design , University of California Davis, California, U.S.A.
EDUCATION
1996
1986
1982
University of California at Davis
M.F.A. in Textile Arts and Costume Design
University of London, Goldsmiths' College, London, England
Postgraduate Diploma in Textile Art
University of California at Los Angeles
B.A. in Design