Visions Museum of Textile Art in Arts District Liberty Station has a new exhibition featuring international artists running now through Dec. 30.

“We are a passionate and diverse community in the heart of Liberty Station that celebrates the cultural significance and artistry of quilt and textile art,” said Forrest Wang, Visions marketing manager, who led a tour on Oct. 20 of the new exhibit titled “Interpretations 2023” in the museum. “Every two years we have this exhibit that features artists from all over the world. This year we received 377 entries representing 13 countries, of which only 37 pieces are shown here.”

Wang noted the textile art on display was “carefully selected” by a trio of three jurists – Susan T. Avila, Dolores Miller, and Jason Pollen – chosen by Visions Museum.

The three jurists on the museum’s website discussed the criteria they used in making their selections. “I looked for pieces that made sense as textiles,” said Avila. “I wanted the textile connection to be clear and logical, with images that allowed me to see and understand not only what the piece looked like, but how it was made.”

“The broad range and high quality of the work meant that difficult choices had to be made,” noted Miller. “But what an opportunity it was to explore and affirm what ‘best work’ means to me: visually impactful and engaging, well executed, created with an original voice that uses fiber/textiles as its unique artistic medium, rather than an imitation of another art form.”

“Looking at, and having to choose from, several hundred images of the works of dedicated quilt artists was both a joy and a daunting challenge,” said Pollen. “What I always look for is how each layer, each color, thread, stitch, line, shape, feel essential to the success of the completed piece. What we always look for is superb craft of course, but more importantly, a fresh and inventive approach to this age-old discipline.”

In describing the 37 displayed textile art pieces, Wang noted some of them were “woven, stitched and hand stitched” while adding, “There are a variety of techniques that the artists use.”

Wang praised the textile museum’s 30-plus volunteers whom he described as “a very dedicated group of professional, amateur and casual people who just appreciate the art.”

One volunteer, Betty Colburn, who makes fiber art herself, was greeting guests at the museum’s front desk on a Friday afternoon. She said her job is “fun,” while adding, “I am one of many.” Asked about her role, she answered: “I greet people coming in explaining to them what the museum is about. I talk with them about what their reactions are to what they see, and wish them a good day.”

Carrie Frederick, a Visions Museum of Textile Art board member, noted the museum gets “a lot of tourists and people who just walk by and happen upon us.” She added the museum board’s function is to “help set the strategic direction for the organization and provide legally mandated things, like financial oversight.”

Frederick pointed out textile art is unique “because we all grow up surrounded by textiles, so people can relate to that. We also have a lot of artists who are looking for what medium they want to use. And they find that textiles are so versatile – and so relatable.”

The mission of Visions Museum of Textile Art is to create an international community of quilt and textile artists, collectors, and the public through exhibitions, education, and engaging programs that increase the appreciation of quilts, textiles, and fiber as fine art.

Visions Museum of Textile Art began as Quilt San Diego, a non-profit arts organization founded in 1985 to promote contemporary quilt making as fine art. The organization’s mission was to present the prestigious, international, juried Quilt Visions biennial which was hosted at various museums in the San Diego area. In 2007, volunteers organized a community build and created a permanent location in the Arts District at Liberty Station.

Visions Museum of Textile Art now features 20 exhibitions per year including online exhibitions, Member Challenges, and the “Quilt Visions” and “Interpretations” biennials. The museum presents lectures and workshops by noted quilt and textile artists. The museum also has a gift shop with strictly handmade items, most from local contributors.

VISIONS MUSEUM OF TEXTILE ART

Where: Arts District Liberty Station, 2825 Dewey Rd #100.

Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays.

Info: visionsartmuseum.org, 619-546-4872.