When one thinks of the visual arts, things like painting, drawing, prinmaking, design and sculpture usually come to mind. Of the many art concentrations that ETSU offers, one stands out as one not too often heard or spoken of – fibers.
Students within the fibers major and others that are enrolled in the textile arts classes often wonder why so many aren’t aware of this major that ETSU offers. For a long time, surface design, weaving and other textile arts weren’t considered a part of the fine arts.
Textiles aren’t immediately thought of as being a part of the arts, which is unfortunate because, as all fibers students agree, they include the same methods and design principles that painting, drawing and sculpture do.
These methods are used and incorporated into the woven pieces so beautifully that the eye almost always becomes transfixed in the repeated patterns of colors, shapes and textures.
Many students who are pursuing degrees in the areas of art and interior design are sampling what the fibers department has to offer by taking beginning weaving and surface design classes. After getting started, they become addicted to it when they come to find how calming and relaxing it is.
“Working with fibers is very satisfying and specific,” says Carol Lebaron, assistant professor of fibers, “You can get very personal with your work. It’s a very freeing activity.”
Making the major more well-known is a goal for Lebaron, one of the art department’s newest additions who arrived in August.
“When I made the move to live and teach here, I only had eight days to find a house and prepare all of my classwork, but it was well worth it because I love it here and never want to leave,” she said. “The department has made great growth and progress since her arrival.
“We have doubled our enrollment since the fall,” she said, in an optimistic tone.
Not only is this art form pleasing to the eye, it can also serve utility purposes. Students can construct wearables from their woven pieces, or make various other things that they will be able to make use of in the future.
“I like the idea of being able to make something that I can actually use,” said Amelia Stuetzel, an art major enrolled in weaving.
Ashleigh Robertson, a senior in the General Studies Program concentrating in fibers said, “Fiber art is great, I love it! You use a controlled technique whose outcome is a surprise, while at the same time being as creative as you want to be. A piece can look a certain way in one color, and if you just change the color, it is totally different.”
Lebaron enjoys working with weaving and fabric design for her own reasons.
“I like it because you can get the color inside the surface and manipulate texture in a way that you can’t with any other media,” she said.
Majoring in fibers is a bachelor’s of fine arts program.
The degree requirements are the same as they are in the fine arts program, except fibers requires an additional technical grounding in the major textile processes.
For more information on this and other majors that the art department has to offer call 439-4247.

Author