CYBER FYBER was an exhibition of international fiber art scheduled held from January 8th through 20th, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, USA. The brainchild of Susan Lenz, this exhibit focused on the supportive, global community of fiber artists with whom Susan regularly shared new techniques, contemporary approaches to textiles, and finished work via Internet websites and blogs. The exhibition had three primary areas: Fiber ATCs (Artist Trading Cards); fiber postcards; and the work of several invited artists. The exhibition also included FIBER DAY and ATC trading day. From the beginning, Susan Lenz is documenting CYBER FYBER on a blog/journal.
INVITATIONAL ARTWORK: The main gallery displayed the original fiber works of Emmy Schoonbeek and Jacqueline de Jong of The Netherlands; Maggie Grey and Lynda Monk of Great Britain; Beate Knappe and Wanda Lenz of Germany; Annica Lindsten of Sweden; Arlee Barr of Canada; Dijanne Cevaal, Dale Rollerson, Sharon Boggon, Doreen and Ebony Grey of Australia; Penny Sisto of Indiana; Nikki Wheeler of Washington; Veleta Staffney and Corinne Stubson of Oregon; Jill Rumoshosky Werner of Kansas; and Fulvia Boriani Luciano, Susan Sorrell and Susan Lenz of South Carolina.
FIBER DAY: On Saturday, January 10, 2009 Gallery 80808 hosted Fiber Day. Susan Lenz partnered with Creative Sewing (519 12th Street, West Columbia, SC) for this event. It was a day in which visitors experienced the joys of sewing machines, embellishers, hands-on demonstrations and discussions as well as "Show-n-Tell" by experts and amateurs alike. Susan Lenz conducted two demonstrations: The Stitch Family (a hilarious presentation, perfect for children) and HOT (heat activated processes for the contemporary embroiderer.)
ATC TRADING DAY: On Saturday, January 17, 2009 Gallery 80808 hosted ATC Trading Day. This was an opportunity for EVERYONE to trade ALL KINDS of ATCs. There will be no age or media restriction. The artists at Vista Studio invited everyone to participate in an INTERNATIONAL RANDOM ATC TRADE.
(The photos were taken at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in Columbia, South Carolina. The postcards and ATCs pictured are the ones being offered by Susan Lenz for trade. For the exhibition in January 2009, there were labels...of course!)
This project was funded by the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.
