Fur, Fangs, Feathers & Fins represents, through the unifying theme of wildlife, the breadth of what’s possible in contemporary quilting. The intricate patterns of scales, feathers, and other animal characteristics are translated into elaborate textiles by the accomplished hands of Studio Art Quilt Association (SAQA) artists.

The show includes 42 artworks by 43 artists and features a dizzying array of animals, materials, and techniques. Enthusiasts will recognize various approaches, such as hand and machine stitching, trapunto and other quilting, piecing, embroidery, appliqué, cording, beading, fusing, felting, laminating, and couching, to name just some of the techniques used. The artists employed equally innovative means of dyeing, transferring, stamping, printing, stenciling, and hand painting fabrics to achieve the lustrous colors and textures that mimic the natural world. The materials that comprise the quilts vary from cottons, linen, fleece, and silks to re- and up-cycled materials, leather, crocheted doilies, photographs, newspaper, and even a fishing fly! 

Ranging in size from more than 7 feet to only 17 inches wide, the quilts showcase both intricate details and impactful imagery. Collectively this exhibition of fiber art explores the animal world, and in so doing, reminds us of our own humanity.

The show is organized by SAQA and juried by Emily Jan, a Montreal-based artist and writer.