Cami Smith
| Organizations, Out & About

This month’s Out & About highlights Fiber Fusion, a Cape Cod, Massachusetts–based collective whose exhibition 2nd Chances at Highfield Hall and Gardens in Falmouth shows what can happen when shared values, creative risk-taking, and community come together. Their work explores renewal, reinvention, and the stories held in materials that have lived more than one life.

Lorraine Gentile Haynes, Smoke and Embers; 2025; cotton, repurposed discarded fabric bits and pieces of cotton; 62 x 62 in. The smoky fabric was the thing that I found inspiring.

Carol Flax, In a Blue Fog; 2023; reclaimed paper; hand cut; 28 x 23 in.

Jackie De Ruyter; Bloom; 2025; mixed media on canvas; machine and hand stitched; 15 x 13 x 4.5 in.

Lorraine Gentile Haynes, Smoke and Embers; 2025; cotton, repurposed discarded fabric bits and pieces of cotton; 62 x 62 in.

Carol Flax, In a Blue Fog;2023; reclaimed paper; hand cut; 28 x 23 in.

Jackie De Ruyter; Bloom; 2025; mixed media on canvas; machine and hand stitched; 15 x 13 x 4.5 in.

Fiber Fusion’s exhibition 2nd Chances brings together seven artists whose practices reflect the extraordinary range and depth within contemporary fiber art. Quilt makers, assemblage artists, and mixed-media practitioners share the space, each offering a distinct approach to material, form, and narrative. While their voices differ, the group’s collective story reveals how diverse perspectives can meet through a shared dedication to fiber as a medium of transformation.

The theme of “second chances” runs through both the artwork and the artists’ creative journeys. Many of the pieces incorporate repurposed fabrics, found objects, and natural fibers—materials that carry previous histories, textures, and meanings. For several members of the collective, the idea also resonates personally. Some returned to art after other careers, while others evolved their practices over time, embracing change as part of the artistic path. In this way, “second chances” becomes both a material choice and a metaphor for resilience, reinvention, and beginning again.

A defining strength of Fiber Fusion is the community they have built on Cape Cod. The group is grounded in shared values: sustainability, experimentation, generosity, and a deep respect for each member’s artistic voice. They support one another through thoughtful critique, conversation, and encouragement, creating a space where taking creative risks feels not only possible but welcomed. This spirit of collaboration keeps their practices energized and ensures that inspiration flows freely among them.

Coming together for exhibitions like 2nd Chances holds special meaning for the group. Seeing each other’s work installed in the same space often sparks new ideas or validates directions they have been exploring individually. These moments of connection expand their creative horizons, offering subtle shifts that ripple back into their studio practices. Exhibiting together is more than sharing a gallery—it is an opportunity to learn from one another in real time.

Toni Newhall, Blue Barnacles, 2025; upcycled denim, thread, acrylics, modeling paste; folded, stitched; 20 x24 in.

Lorraine Gentile Haynes, Canis Major Constellation; 2025;
100% cotton, Australian fabric with Aboriginal motifs; 36 x 25 in.

Materials with history remain at the heart of Fiber Fusion’s work. Whether salvaged, gifted, or pulled from long-kept personal stashes, these materials retain tactile memory. They layer the present with traces of the past, deepening the expressive range of each piece. The artists embrace these histories as part of the work’s meaning, inviting viewers to reflect on continuity, transformation, and the stories embedded in the fibers themselves.

For artists inspired by the idea of forming a collective, Fiber Fusion offers simple, powerful advice: start with shared intentions, communicate openly, and build trust by showing up for one another. Allow for individuality while fostering collaboration. Celebrate successes and navigate challenges together. A strong collective grows not just from making art side by side, but from cultivating connection, care, curiosity, and a shared sense of purpose.

Through 2nd Chances, Fiber Fusion demonstrates how renewal can emerge from what is reclaimed, rediscovered, or reimagined. Their exhibition is a testament to both the versatility of fiber art and the enduring power of creative community.

The 2nd Chances exhibit can be seen at Highfield Hall and Gardens, March 5 through June 14, 2026, highfieldhallandgardens.org/upcoming-art-exhibitions/second-chances.

@fiberfusioncapecod
@seachris33 (Christine Anderson)
@jackiederuyter (Jackie DeRuyter)
@carol.flax (Carol Flax)
@lorraine.gentile.haynes.art (Lorraine Gentile Haynes)
@fbrcllctn (Nicole Goldman)
@lisachorton (Lisa Horton)
@toninewhall (Toni Newhall)