Gathering @ TAG: 12 MassArt Fiber Artists – Celebrating Marilyn Pappas

The Greater Boston arts community is set to embark on an immersive journey into the world of fiber and textile arts with Gather Symposium 2025, a month-long exploration of this dynamic medium. Designed to highlight the vibrancy, breadth, challenges, and future of fiber arts, Gather Symposium 2025 brings together exhibitions, lectures, research presentations, and hands-on participatory events across multiple institutions.

At the heart of this landmark initiative is “Gathering @ TAG: 12 MassArt Fiber Artists – Celebrating Marilyn Pappas,” an exhibition that pays tribute to Marilyn Pappas, a founding member of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s Fibers Department and a pioneering voice in the field. This exhibition, hosted by TAG The Art Gallery features guest-curators  Beverly Sky, Janet Kawada, and Darci Hanna, who will shine a spotlight on Pappas’ profound influence, while also presenting the work of a distinguished group of contemporary fiber artists.

Honoring a Visionary: Marilyn Pappas

Marilyn Pappas’ career has been defined by her meticulous and evocative textile works, which bridge the classical and contemporary, drawing inspiration from Greco-Roman sculpture, mythology, and historical textiles. Her stitched and embroidered compositions, rich with narrative depth and cultural resonance, have earned her recognition as one of the most influential fiber artists of her generation. As a founding faculty member at MassArt, Pappas played a pivotal role in shaping the Fibers Department, mentoring generations of artists and elevating fiber arts within the wider context of contemporary art.

A Showcase of Fiber Innovation

Alongside Pappas, the exhibition features an exceptional lineup of artists whose work pushes the boundaries of fiber and textile art:

• Jenine Shereos – Known for her intricate, nature-inspired fiber works, including delicate sculptures made from human hair.
• Venetia Dale – Exploring the intersection of craft and everyday objects through contemporary metal and fiber-based forms.
• Ann Wessmann – A sculptor who integrates fiber materials with conceptual narratives.
• Samantha Fields – Merging fiber techniques with contemporary art themes, often incorporating elements of storytelling and activism.
• Hadis Tourikami – A textile artist blending traditional techniques with modern abstraction.
• Deb Klotz – Creating intricate, layered works that challenge perceptions of material and form.
• Nathalie Miebach – Recognized for transforming scientific data into woven sculptural forms.
• Gail Erwin – A multidisciplinary fiber artist whose work bridges historical techniques with innovative approaches.