First Textile Art Exhibition to Open at the National Museum of Wildlife Art

The National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States (NMWA) will open the exhibition A Conceptual Thread on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in the Wapiti Gallery. A Conceptual Thread is a celebration of textile and fiber arts, including quilting, weaving, tapestry, and knitting. This is the first exhibition dedicated solely to textile arts at NMWA. The exhibition will be on view at the Museum through November 2, 2025.

A Conceptual Thread aims to refocus the visitor’s attention on the exceptional artistry of the presented works. In addition to narratives of wildlife and nature, exhibiting artists like Dawn Williams Boyd and Cauleen Smith address themes of hope and resilience in their artwork. Their pieces memorialize what has been lost or could be lost. The time-consuming and meditative nature of working with fabric and fibers speaks to the artists’ devotion and determination to share these stories, as well as their ability to balance beauty with the harsh realities of the world. For A Conceptual Thread, Associate Curator of Education & Outreach Patrice Gonzales brought together a dynamic group of fiber and textile artists whose powerful works confront environmental and social issues. “I’m excited to share these mediums as they are often downgraded to a craft because they were historically done by women,” says Gonzales. “By giving these artists a place to exhibit their work in the Museum, we are giving them the recognition they deserve as creators of high art. I’m eager for our community to explore the themes of resiliency and hope that these artists embody.”

The exhibit will not only highlight the work of professional artists, featuring pieces from the Museum’s permanent collection and on loan but also actively engage Museum visitors by inviting them to participate. A large communal loom will be installed in the Wapiti Gallery, allowing museum visitors to contribute to the exhibition by weaving on it during their visit. Local artists will lead workshops in knitting, weaving, and tapestry throughout the summer, providing the community with hands-on learning experiences.

In conjunction with A Conceptual Thread, the Museum is hosting a mini artist-in-residence program with fiber artist Doris Florig, an artist featured in the exhibit. During the residency, Florig will demonstrate tapestry weaving and discuss her methods and materials with visitors. The residency will take place Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Sullivan Hall. Each day, Florig will weave her tapestry inspired by the Absaroka Mountain Range while inviting visitors to ask questions. Her program will be inclusive of all ages and is free to visitors with an admission ticket or Museum membership.

While the exhibition officially opens at NMWA on May 31, the public can enjoy early access during a sneak peek of the show from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, May 30. Gonzales will lead the program and provide attendees with an inside look at the exhibition. This event is free to Museum members and included in the cost of general admission.

A Conceptual Thread is generously sponsored by Sally Maca & Alex Alimanestianu, Arts for All, Friess Wildlife Art Charitable Lead Trust, Lea Charitable Trust, and Grant Winthrop.