This month, Out & About features an active group of contemporary textile-based artists: Art Cloth Network, an artist-led organization supporting members across the US and Canada. They explore textile-based art and create growth opportunities through exhibitions and community.
Art Cloth Network (ACN) was formed 30 years ago by graduates of Jane Dunnewold’s Mastery Program who wanted to stay connected. Today, that sense of connection still fuels the organization. Members describe the synergy and open sharing among them as a defining strength. Ideas, recommendations, material tests, exhibition suggestions, and even critiques—all are offered and exchanged freely through their online portal and small-group meetings. ACN emphasizes both individual growth and collective support, and their culture reflects that balance. Each artist is encouraged to pursue their own vision; while knowing they have a trusted network ready to share knowledge, experience, and thoughtful feedback.
Priscilla Smith, Never Too Late; 2024; commercial cottons; appliqué, hand and machine stitched; 22 x 30 in.
Part of what makes ACN so dynamic is its embrace of a “broad and evolving definition” of art cloth. There are no rules dictating how members work. Artists are free to use any materials, tools, or approaches that serve their ideas—whether grounded in traditional techniques or completely experimental. This openness naturally leads to growth, surprise, and new directions within members’ practices.
The group maintains its connection in multiple ways. ACN holds an annual Zoom meeting to address organizational updates and committee reports, while other small groups gather monthly through Zoom to explore interests such as critique, installations, regional meetups, or progress conversations. In spring, members meet in person to share artwork and process, rotating their gatherings to a new location each year.
For the year 2026, ACN will be a participating organization partnering with Craft in America, Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a nationwide semi-quincentennial initiative to showcase the importance of the handmade both throughout ACN’s history and in contemporary life, handwork2026.org/about.
Risk-taking and creative revisioning show up powerfully in their exhibition program. In ReVision, for example, Kathleen Cunningham’s Street Gestures 1 reflects her effort to “re-envision the world by showing connections and rhythms in the everyday that others might overlook.” Mary Ann Nailos describes her piece Artistic Affirmations this way: “Using scraps from older projects, or incorporating traditional textiles, I seek to bring a fresh perspective by incorporating surface design and hand stitching to add a contemporary touch.”
At its heart, ACN continues to thrive because the members are not only colleagues—they are connected through friendship, shared experience, and a deep love of cloth. Their longevity is rooted in this collective sense of belonging.
Kathleen Cunningham, Street Gestures 1; 2024; 100% cotton, acrylic tar gel, poly thread, original photograph; digitally collaged, printed on cotton; 21.5 x 12.5 in.
For artists hoping to start their own collective, ACN offers this advice: define your objectives, draft bylaws, and form committees to distribute responsibilities. Invite every member to take an active role, stay open to change, and allow the organization to evolve . . .because artists, by nature, always will.
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