The end of March was an exciting time for Fiber Arts. 

 Surface Design and Studio Art Quilts combined to present a three day conference near Philadelphia, PA.  Off I went armed with business cards, wearing a necklace of punched work by Kira Bacon, and distributing postcards promoting the Schwenkfelder exhibit of hooked rugs just up the road.  The preparation paid off as participants asked what rughooking was about, and I learned much more about the contemporary visions of artists.

The two organizations created a wonderful format with informative panels and individual presentations.  One day we were transported into the city to independantly visit as many of the 50 exhibits featuring fiber arts as we could in 8 hours.  FiberPhiladelphia has grown in venues to a happening every two years.  Plan on your own visit in 2014.

Students and professionals attended the conference.  Eastern Carolina University was represented by graduate and undergraduates in the Textiles program.  These women were invigorating and conversations started about sharing skills in workshops at the University. The editor of Fiber Art Now, Marcia Young co-sponsored the event and introduced herself to members, gathering future topics and writers for the magazine.