SAQA Events

There is a continuum where beauty and function blend and diverge in the hands of the contemporary artist. Even when traditional materials such as thread, fabric, wood, reed, and paper are used, these artists combine skill, imagination, and vision to...

What goes around comes around. In this ode to circles, show us everything from planet Earth to bicycle tires. Are polka dots your thing? How about a merry-go-round or a Ferris wheel? Whether your art quilt is of a clock or a stylish hat, if it’s round it’s keen to be in this collection.

Earth, from space, looks like a shimmering gem suspended in an inky, infinite expanse. A diverse group of artists from 11 countries around the world present their views of the universe in this fascinating collection of contemporary artwork.

Birds are found all around the world. They remind us of ourselves yet are also able to fly up in the heavens. Artists around the globe respond to the birds they admire in myriad ways using a wide variety of materials and techniques.

We're seeking proposals from fiber artists who would like to present at one of SAQA's 2026 Textile Talks. On average, Textile Talks are attended live by 400-500 people and are viewed on YouTube by 1,700 people.

See what’s hidden in plain sight! This exhibition celebrates the wonder of wildlife and the artistry of concealment.

Celebrating its 20th year, Quilts for Kids is a non-profit organization based in Kathmandu, Nepal, providing work for economically challenged women and educating at-risk children in South Asia. Founder and Director James Hopkins and Manager Ravina Kaur will talk about...

Abstract art uses the pure elements and principles of design to create emotions and thoughts in the viewer. Because it is so free and unbounded from the real world, the diversity of abstract art is truly stunning. In the way a poem distills a novel into a few words, abstract art offers the essence of an idea using the vocabulary of line, shape, rhythm, texture, color, value and composition.

All living creatures need a safe place to heal, regroup, rest, or retreat. Do you nurture your loved ones in a special place? Do you create a haven for others in need? What is your haven? Artists were asked to...

The concept of the art quilt has undergone a dynamic redefinition, liberating it from traditional constraints and inviting exploration into diverse forms of layered and stitched structures, in two or three dimensions. Gone are the days of rigid expectations, where...

SAQA is in a period of exciting growth and opportunity. As we focus on our mission to promote the art quilt and work toward our vision that the art quilt is universally respected as a fine art medium, we are...

This month, the Quilt Alliance welcomes A’donna Richardson, founder of the African American Quilt Documentation Study Group, to Textile Talks. A’donna is part of the conservation and outreach team led by Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) curator...

Birds bring life into our landscapes and joy into our lives. SAQA’s “Aviary” exhibition was curated by Martha Sielman based on her book, “Stitched Journeys with Birds” (Schiffer 2023). Exhibiting artists Tracey Cameron (Alberta, Canada) and Linda Hoffmeister (Florida, USA)...

Get an insider’s look at the 2025 Iowa Quilt Festival, a vibrant celebration of quilting, creativity, and community in support of the Iowa Quilt Museum. Held in Winterset, Iowa, this year’s event featured inspiring workshops, exhibitions, and a powerful presentation...

Exploring Contemporary Art meets each month on the 4th Tuesday at 1pm ET (New York time) - time zone converter Come learn about this SIG, ask questions and talk a little bit about contemporary art. Connection information and additional information...

Now in its 20th year, the annual SAQA Benefit Auction is a highly-anticipated art quilt sales event. In this Textile Talk, SAQA Executive Director Martha Sielman is joined by several participating artists. We'll hear about their artwork, process, and inspirations...

Ever since our earliest ancestors began applying iron oxide to cave walls and their bodies, the color red has played a major role in art, rituals, and spirituality. The use of red can evoke excitement, danger, anger or love in...

This exhibition explores fire not just as a destructive force, but as a symbol of renewal, power, and transformation. Many pieces address themes of climate change, deforestation, and the renewal that comes after devastation, adding a thoughtful and timely narrative to the visual feast.

Abstract art uses the pure elements and principles of design to create emotions and thoughts in the viewer. Because it is so free and unbounded from the real world, the diversity of abstract art is truly stunning. In the way a poem distills a novel into a few words, abstract art offers the essence of an idea using the vocabulary of line, shape, rhythm, texture, color, value and composition.

Earth, from space, looks like a shimmering gem suspended in an inky, infinite expanse. A diverse group of artists from 11 countries around the world present their views of the universe in this fascinating collection of contemporary artwork.