Where Art Meets Embroidery Exhibition

Pacific NW Quilt and Fiber Art Museum

703 South Second Street
La Conner, WA 98257

February 25- May 31, 2026

We are excited to present the Culminating Exhibit of Levels 3 and 4 Textile Arts graduates from the Gail Harker Creative Studies Center. The exhibitors have worked under the mentorship of internationally renowned artist and teacher Gail Harker and her assistant Penny Peters. Prior to beginning these 2 ½ years long courses, they previously completed a series of art and textile courses at the Center that prepared them to use their unique artistic voices and to work at accomplished skill levels.

Level 3 Advanced Studies of Experimental Stitch – Artists: Gloria Shelton and Tesi Vaara
This course focuses on building structured methods of working. Students create designs on paper, fabric and threads using inspirational subject matter of their choice. Traditional and contemporary methods of hand and machine embroidery form the basis of sampling and experimentation to create original works of art.

Level 4 Diploma Course – Studies in Experimental Stitch and Multimedia –
Artists: Lynette Barnes, Nancy Drake, Christina Fairley Erickson, Moira Kloster, and Ruth Lane
Prior to this course, the artists completed a Research for Art and Design course of study where they chose and explored an inspirational theme using various media. The themes they explored on paper formed the basis for the work exhibited here. This course builds on their skills to develop more highly advanced original embroidery and design supported by experimentation and a thorough knowledge of materials, techniques, and processes. Their aim is the development of independence in working and individual styles.k