April 1, 2013
Margaret Miller Remembers Paul O'Connor
Paul O'Connor had a huge impact on the textile community although few people were aware of it. In his quiet and determined way he had the ability to support the things he believed in until the goal was accomplished. He demonstrated this in both of his careers.Â
Prior to his work with the textile community, his life passion and work revolved around education both locally and internationally. With a degree in chemistry he was asked to develop a chemistry curriculum for high schools when our country was worried we would fall behind the Russians and needed to advance our science and math education. Then he volunteered to go to India to help higher education develop their science and chemistry curriculum during his tenure at the University of Minnesota.
After a medical condition affected his voice, he embarked on his second career, weaving, which spanned 40 years. He used his mathematical mind to develop complex double weaves which led to writing many books and teaching many classes, leaving a legacy for weavers.
Paul loved to weave, and even after he developed double vision, he kept on weaving, plying his silk sewing thread so he could see them while weaving. He always had a new warp on his loom whenever I visited and had endless excitement about the possibilities it could offer.
I will also always remember Paul for his remarkable generosity and kindness. He and his wife Pat were the first to be significant supporters of the Textile Center when most were unsure the dream could ever be reached. He never gave up on the vision, always willing to do what would help the Center.
We have lost a great friend, advocate and weaver that we were all so blessed to have in our lives. Thank you, Paul, for always being there for us.
-- Margaret Miller
Weaver Paul O'Connor passed away on March 14, 2013.
Star Tribune Article about Paul
November 13, 2012
Welcome to the New Generation of Textile Center! We are undergoing a time of transition and transformation, and want to share our excitement and vision for the future with our community-fiber artists, practitioners and enthusiasts; guilds; craft businesses; students and lovers of the arts.
Amplifying our strengths
Textile Center brings the community together to discover and celebrate the textile arts; we provide access to a variety of resources through our classes, artist-based shop, dye lab, meeting facilities, library, grants for emerging artists, and fiber art exhibitions. As we continue to honor and recognize the treasured history of Textile Center's origins, we are in the process of reviewing all the elements and assets of the Center. Every gallery exhibition, class, program, and staff requirement will be re-designed to align with our vision for growth.
For example, a recent addition to the Center is the studio, an interactive workshop space for rotating exhibits and educational programs. The flexible space allows for nimbleness in featuring cutting-edge fiber art installations that don't fit a traditional gallery model. At present, the studio showcases a vibrant collection of re-woven, re-dyed historic rugs created by a contemporary Istanbul artist, Burak AYDOGAN.
One of Textile Center's major assets is our location. We are at the focal point of exciting development and growth along the Central Corridor. As construction of the new Green Line Light Rail happens right outside our door, we are involved in discussions around the creation of a new public arts district.
Collaborating creatively
Textile Center was founded through the collaborative efforts of many individuals and organizations. A major focus in moving forward will be on pursuing and deepening partnerships with all local arts organizations. Goldstein Museum of Design, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, tpt/Twin Cities Public Television, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and Minnesota Opera are all excited to partner with us. Textile Center's new alliances will strengthen the organization and increase our collective impact.
Expanding our reach
A beloved Minnesota entity, Textile Center is working to foster our national presence, and develop an international presence. We are reaching out to organizations around the country, and already both Lori Weitzner Design and Donghia, two of the most significant textile firms in the country, have agreed to partner with us. We are making inroads with international connections as well, with such firms as Nuno in Japan, which creates innovative textiles combining traditional aesthetics with the latest computer and synthetics technologies.
New Leaders of Textile Center
On board is a new Leadership Team that brings fresh ideas to the fore. Tim Fleming, Executive Director, has served as Chair of The Textile Curatorial Council of MIA for ten years as well as President of the Friends of the Goldstein Museum. His 30 years of experience in the corporate and retail (as co-founder of Ampersand) world offers valuable resources. Chipp Windham, Development Director, contributes 20 years of organizational development experience with The Salvation Army. Sheila Terryll, Operations Director, has worked on several local arts and nonprofit projects like the 2008 Legacy Amendment, Open Book capital campaign and founding of AchieveMpls. She also serves as a board member at Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and Springboard for the Arts. Jenny Jones, Marketing Director, has a longtime nonprofit arts background with such organizations as Walker Art Center, where she recently organized Rock the Garden, a one-day event of 11,000 attendees. If you have yet to meet any of the new faces, please stop by and introduce yourself. They are anxious to serve you in the organization's efforts to celebrate, create, educate and innovate fiber art. Please share with them your dreams and hopes for the future of Textile Center.
September 27, 2012
NEW FACES AT TEXTILE CENTER
Textile Center is pleased to announce the creation of a new leadership team: Jenny Jones as Marketing Director; Sheila Terryll as Operations Director; and Chipp Windham as Development Director. The additions will augment the work of the existing staff in carrying out the Center's mission to honor textile traditions and promote excellence and innovation in fiber art. With burgeoning participation in the creation of this innovative art form worldwide, and exciting local development occurring around the light rail project, the next generation Textile Center team is positioned to engage in the future of the fiber arts.
Thank you for joining the current staff and board of directors in welcoming Jenny, Chipp, and Sheila during this transformative period for Textile Center!
What we are up to on Facebook:
July 1, 2012
Timothy G. Fleming Named New Executive Director of Textile Center
Longtime supporter and arts champion succeeds the organization's founding director, Margaret Miller
(June 4, 2012) MINNEAPOLIS
Timothy Fleming of Saint Paul has been named executive director of Textile Center following a nationwide search that began early this year. Fleming brings widespread experience in the field to the role. His past accomplishments include chairing the Textile Curatorial Council for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for nearly a decade and cofounding Ampersand, a home accessory retailer. His own Timothy Fleming Interiors, which produces upscale residential interior design projects all across the country, has been his main focus recently. Read more.
June 1, 2012
Miller Has Been a Long-Time Fiber Arts Champion.
Textile Center has announced that Executive Director Margaret Miller will be retiring on July 1, 2012. Miller was instrumental in forming Textile Center, and she has been the only executive director during Textile Center’s 18-year history.
Miller organized the coalition of fiber art guilds and artists that led to the development of Textile Center and its core membership. She spearheaded the capital campaign for its facility which opened in 2001. Since then, the organization and its programs have flourished under Miller’s leadership. Textile Center has grown to become a leader in the field of fiber art, garnering national and international praise for its fiber art exhibitions, education services and facility resources including its state-of-art dye lab and library.
“Margaret has a passion for fiber art that has served the region very well,” stated Ruth Stephens, board president. “She truly embodies the mission of Textile Center to honor textile traditions and promote excellence and innovation in fiber art. Her ability to meld the casual craftsman, established artist, textile enthusiast and donors into a flourishing single community was a great feat. Through her attention to artistic and administrative details, she has built a strong and vibrant organization that is a true gem. Margaret has brought Textile Center to the point where program and space needs have outpaced the present location and the organization is gearing up for expansion. With the exciting changes Central Corridor Light Rail will bring to our neighborhood, Textile Center’s next decade should be just as dynamic as this past decade.”
“Textile Center is on the cusp of a new and exciting chapter in its development,” said Miller. “Now is the perfect time for someone with new energy, vision and passion to step in and take Textile Center to its next stage, continuing to fulfill our dreams. It has been an honor to serve this vibrant community of talented fiber artists.”
Following her retirement, Miller plans to pursue a long-term goal of providing volunteer services overseas.
Textile Center board of directors and its transition committee are undertaking a search process and plan to name a new executive director before Miller’s departure in July.
Help Recognize Outstanding Artists
 The Margaret Miller Fiber Artist Award for Excellence has been established to honor Margaret Miller's vision and service as Textile Center's founding director. Your contribution supports this lasting tribute to Margaret upon her retirement. The award will be given annually to an outstanding artist in commemoration of Margaret's commitment to excellence and innovation in fiber art. Learn more about Margaret's tenure.
Thank you for helping create this tribute to Margaret!
Spring 2012: Future Plans
This concept design study is an important part of the pre-planning process to be used by Textile Center's board of directors and supporters to identify the possible, think through the options and plot a course to the next steps in planning Textile Center's future. Download PDF.
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