Two Students’ Textile Designs Selected for National Gallery

By Sarah Stone

Two Wilson College of Textiles students have established themselves as emerging talents in textile design on the national stage. 

Judges from the Surface Design Association selected works created by students Anna Stuffelbeam and Bailey Knight from more than 300 submissions to be showcased in its virtual exhibition, “Future Tense 2022.” 

Only 27 fiber works were selected out of the hundreds submitted from design programs across the United States. In order to be considered, each student was allowed to submit photos of up to three pieces and was required to send in an artist statement. 

Both Stuffelbeam and Knight created their winning works using the Wilson College’s labs. Stuffelbeam completed her piece as part of an independent study course. 

Read more about the winners’ works in their own words below: 

“Surface”

Anna Stuffelbeam 

Senior | Fashion and Textile Design (Concentration: textile design) 

Hidden patterns in deep indigo, where light and dark create contrasting patterns, unorganized yet forming an image. I capture a moment through photography then with digital tools and hand weaving techniques bring the experience of human connection with nature into a woven piece, creating order from a mess of threads. 

“Make Time for Coffee in the Morning” 

Bailey Knight 

Master of Textiles Student 

This woven illustration uses soft chenille cotton yarn against a naturally dyed indigo background to give the feeling of the moments we try to stay in bed for another minute. Each motif relates to thoughts of the “shoulds” crossing the mind as we press snooze for another three minutes.

Students, keep track of upcoming competitions here.