Exhibitions
Kayla Mattes
Blue Screen of Death, 2018
53 in x 43 in
The American Tapestry Alliance organizes multiple exhibitions in service to the organization’s mission. Each exhibit has a unique focus to allow for a broad range of techniques, concepts, and experiences. It is not uncommon to see engaging tapestries from first-time exhibitors displayed beside those of professionals.
A great deal of effort goes into producing each exhibition and the accompanying catalog. Most of the work is done by volunteer members; we could not produce our exhibits without them. We are grateful to every person (past, present, and future) who lends their time and dedication to the exhibits team.
Exhibits
ATA exhibitions highlight the best of international contemporary tapestry and provide opportunities in the field of tapestry in the following ways:
- Each is juried to high standards of artistic and technical excellence
- They tour venues throughout North America
- A high-quality catalog with critical essay accompanies each exhibit
- Promotional methods designed to attract media exposure
Our exhibitions have historically attracted excellent attendance for their host museums, galleries, and art centers. For information about hosting an ATA exhibition, contact exhibitions(at)americantapestryalliance.org.
American Tapestry Biennial (ATB)
The first American Tapestry Biennial was held in 2006. This juried exhibition highlights international contemporary hand-woven tapestry. The work of hundreds of artists has been showcased by this exhibit since its inception. The American Tapestry Biennial travels to multiple venues to broaden the understanding of tapestry as an art form. Each exhibition is juried by a renowned member within the field of art and/or art history and is accompanied by a full-color exhibition catalog that is sent to curators, collectors, and other art professionals.
Small Tapestry International
Historically, there has been a bias against small tapestries stemming from the attitude that only large tapestries were significant. As a counterpoint, ATA organized the Small Tapestry International, which spotlighted small formal tapestries from around the world. ATA organized many Small Tapestry International exhibitions, but in 2022, the board incorporated the exhibition into the American Tapestry Biennial, encouraging all sizes of work to be included.
Beyond: Tapestry Expanded
In 2024, ATA featured a unique exhibition, Beyond: Tapestry Expanded, curated by Erica Warren (and partially juried by Jade Yumang and Alexa Griffith Winton), with the goal of showcasing artists incorporating non-weft dominant constructions and multimedia approaches within woven structures. Informed by tapestry weaving processes, the work in this exhibition featured artists exploring materiality, including improvisational weaving, working off-loom, and extending their work beyond the wall and into space. The exhibition also represented a diverse array of artists working within and among varied cultural identities. Go here to order a catalog of the exhibition, which was on view at the Richard E. Peeler Art Center.
Thematic Exhibitions
Starting in 2026, ATA will be organizing thematic exhibitions that take place during the alternate years of the American Tapestry Biennial. The goal of the thematic exhibitions is to encourage artists to respond to topical issues, techniques, and approaches using tapestry as a form of expression. The thematic exhibition for 2026 is Thinking Through Tapestry, which will be on display at the Evanston Arts Center from May 30 to June 28, 2025. A call for entry will be posted during the fall of 2025.
Postcard Exchange
The content for this annual show is generated by members who elect to participate. Registrants are randomly paired with another tapestry weaver with whom they exchange 5” x 7” (13 x 18cm) tapestry postcards via postal mail. This exhibit offers a fun opportunity for ATA members to get to know another tapestry weaver and participate in a community online exhibition via social media.
Tiny But Mighty (formerly Unjuried Small Format Show)
Tiny But Mighty is held every two years in conjunction with Convergence, the international fiber art conference of the Handweavers Guild of America. This extremely popular exhibit attracts entries from tapestry artists around the world. Each show is documented by a high-quality catalog and is a favorite attraction at Convergence.
TEx@ATA
Through a generous donation from The Laffer Curatorial Program, we can offer TEx@ATA (Tapestry Exhibit at American Tapestry Alliance). Several exhibitions are curated each year for this online gallery. Shows vary in content; some are based on a theme, and others present the work of a single artist. The curator for each show develops the concept and works closely with the artists who are featured.
With this opportunity, we are able to provide a stipend to outstanding curators interested in designing an exhibition of the highest caliber. Such shows are characterized by a tight cohesive theme and highlight artists who not only exhibit technical and aesthetic excellence in the tapestry medium, but also work in a more conceptual manner, or stretch the definition of tapestry. An essay written by the curator interprets the work within a broad artistic context. For more information about Laffer curatorship, contact info(at)americantapestryalliance.org.