The Exploring Contemporary Art Special Interest Group (ECA SIG) next meets on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 1pm EST (New York time). Additional details about the selected artists will be available later.
What is the Exploring Contemporary Art Special Interest Group (ECA SIG)?
It’s a monthly gathering of SAQA members who come together to discuss a selected contemporary artist. Before each meeting, members review a curated set of resources. Then we meet to share what we found inspiring, thought-provoking, or surprising.
When does the group meet?
We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1 PM ET (New York Time). Each session stands on its own—there’s no ongoing series or required continuity. Join whenever it fits your schedule or when the featured artist piques your interest.
Who selects the artists?
Each month, a guest researcher selects the artist and assembles a list of resources. The ECA SIG steering committee supports the researcher in preparing for the session. It's a fun and rewarding collaboration!
What do we mean by “contemporary,” and how do we choose which artists to include?
We focus on artists born after 1920, working in any medium or format, from anywhere in the world. We're drawn to work that feels significant, even though that's tricky to pin down. Basically, we're looking for artists whose work has made an impact and gives us something to really dig into.
How does it work?
At the beginning of each month, the ECA SIG team announces the featured artist and shares a set of resources—this might include interviews, galleries, reviews, and articles. Reviewing all the materials takes about an hour. Members are encouraged to explore these before the meeting.
At the meeting, we’ll start with a short video about the artist, hear from the guest researcher, and then break into small groups for conversation.
What’s the vibe of the meetings?
Casual, conversational, supportive, and curious. We aim to create a welcoming space for open-minded discussion and shared exploration.
Where can I find meeting info?
All details—including dates, Zoom links, and resource lists—are posted on the ECA SIG page on the SAQA website (scroll down to connection information) and in the ECA SIG Facebook group. Meeting announcements also appear in the weekly SAQA member emails. Bookmark this page on the SAQA website or join the FB group to stay up to date.
Do I have to review the resources before the meeting?
Everyone is welcome, but the discussions are most meaningful when everyone has spent some time with the materials. Even a quick skim helps make the conversations richer for everyone.
Are the meetings recorded?
No. Since most of the session happens in breakout rooms, we keep things private and unrecorded. There’s no formal presentation—everything is in the resource list, which you can review anytime, even if you miss the meeting. Past artist resources are also available to explore.
Want to learn more?
- View the current month's event details on the Event Page
- Watch this video by group founder Dolores Miller, who explains more about this group.
- Join our closed Facebook group just for this SIG to benefit from group discussions and additional content
- Take a look at the artists we've studied previously
CONNECTION INFORMATION
At the designated time, click on the link below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84935542737
Meeting ID 84935542737
Deborah Boschert is an artist, author, and teacher. She creates art quilt collages with layers of fabric, paint, and stitching. She is the author of Art Quilt Collage: A Creative Journey in Fabric, Paint, and Stitch and has appeared on Quilting Arts TV and The Quilt Show. Her work has been included in Art Quilt Elements, Quilts=Art=Quilts, several Studio Art Quilt Associates global exhibitions, and many other juried exhibitions. Deborah’s quilts can be found in the collection of the International Quilt Museum, the Frank Klein Quilt Collection, and as a mural in the Dallas Arts District. She is a past president of Studio Art Quilt Associates and a dedicated supporter of art quilts, art quilters, and the importance of fiber and textiles in the world of fine art.
Deborah lectures and teaches workshops both in person and virtually, focusing on fused appliqué, print making on fabric, captivating compositions, personal symbols, and using stitch as a design element. Her workshops provide students with both structure and creative flexibility. She is known for her organization, enthusiastic spirit, and encouraging vibe.
Deborah lives in Lewisville, Texas with her husband, Jeff. Deborah loves to travel, do crossword puzzles, drink coffee, practice yoga, and listen to podcasts.
Dolores Miller lives in San Jose, CA. She has been a SAQA member since 2009, becoming a Northern (CA/NV) regional co-representative (2013-14) and serving on the regional exhibition committee (2015-17). She is a past SAQA board Vice-President and former chair of the Education Committee.
Her works have been juried into three global and four regional SAQA exhibitions and Visions: Interpretations. One series of work incorporates needle felting and other techniques to depict galaxies, constellations, and other objects of the night sky. Dolores curated two regional exhibitions at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles' FiberSpace (2014 and 2016) and has been a juror for a SAQA region exhibition and for Visions. She is retired from a career as a research analytical chemist. Though she has attended many textile seminars and workshops, the last formal art class she took was in high school...
Questions? Please contact Dolores at dcmiller_215@comcast.net.
