Artist Talk with Textile Artists

The artists will share about their personal practices, inspiration, and processes in connection with Jo-Ann's solo exhibition A Portrait is a Prayer, and Gabriele & Ellen's exhibition Fabric, Dye, and Serendipity, both on view at Artspace.

About the Artists:

Gabriele DiTota: Gabriele was born in Northern Germany where her mother was a seamstress. As a young child she would play around the sewing machine trying to stay out of the way of the treadle. Fast forward and two careers later, Gabriele finds herself in Central Florida where her interest in fabric is rekindled. Matching seams and exact piecing were the first efforts in textile art but they quickly gave way to an organic raw-edge approach to art quilting. Gabriele was delighted to learn that her great grandfather was a dyer of fabric by profession as she has also discovered the excitement of using dyes and surface design to create her own fabrics. The inspiration for Gabriele’s pieces may spring from her imagination, be based on personal experiences or be influenced by social matters that affect our lives.

Ellen Lindner: Ellen Lindner is a talented quilt artist and teacher, who is passionate about making fabric into art. She says, “I make art for the pure joy of doing so!” Known for its strong contrasts and vivid colors, her art has been shown throughout the United States, and beyond, has been commissioned by several well-known hospitals, and has been published in several magazines. Ellen has been seen on Quilting Arts TV, where she taught some of her techniques. She’s also written two books and several magazine articles.

Jo-Ann Morgan: Jo-Ann Morgan is Professor Emerita of African American Studies and Art History, Western Illinois University. She authored The Black Arts Movement and the Black Panther Party in American Visual Culture (2019) and Uncle Tom’s Cabin as Visual Culture (2007) and is the winner of the Seaborg Award for Civil War Scholarship in 2008.

Prior to becoming a scholar of African American art and culture, Morgan received her MFA in 1989 from the University of Wyoming in Studio Art and remained active as a visual artist while a doctoral student at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles; PhD, 1997). After two decades of university teaching, in 2020 Morgan reestablished a full-time studio practice creating stitched fabric wall hangings (art quilts) on themes related to social justice and gun violence. Her work has been shown in over twenty solo exhibitions at community art centers and at colleges and universities throughout the country.

About Artspace

Artspace is a non-profit visual arts center located in Downtown Raleigh. Visit Artspace to explore exhibitions featuring national and community artists, engage with more than 35 artists working in their studios, and enjoy art classes and community events for all ages and abilities. To learn more about Artspace, visit artspacenc.org

Parking and Accessibility

Free street parking is available on Davie Street. Free parking is available at the following parking decks:

• City Center Deck, 429 S. Wilmington St.
• Moore Square Deck, 233 S. Wilmington St.
• Municipal Complex Deck, 201 W. Morgan St.
• Wilmington Street Station Deck, 117 S. Wilmington St.

There are also several pay lots nearby: City Market parking lot and several Secure P lots for night + weekend parking (314 E Davie St, 415 S Person St, 417 S Person St).

Explore accessibility information with our Know Before You Go Guide.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Artspace