An international exhibition of textile works inspired by ideas of peace, sustainability, and the environment has traveled across the globe to Brick City’s Cabot Gallery. Textile Cartographies is on view now and will conclude with a closing reception and artwork sale from 5–7 p.m. on October 7.

Portuguese artist Teresa Eça developed the original concept for Textile Cartographies and partnered with colleagues from various countries to bring the project together. A call for submissions went out with minimal guidelines—textile artwork in the form of four-inch squares with a focus on environmental initiatives or messages of peace. Work made of papers, fibers, fabrics, or a mixture of the three were welcomed, and artists of all experience levels were encouraged to participate. Art students and teachers from Australia, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and the United States are participating in the traveling exhibition.

Dr. Steve Willis, professor of art education at Missouri State, explains the significance of this collaborative project, “I think it’s important that we don’t lose sight of tactility in our art-making process—that we don’t lose sight of our environment, ecology, sustainability, and peace initiatives that are across the world, and that we can exchange these ideas freely.” Works sharing these ideas have already been displayed in Portugal and Australia before making their way to Missouri State, and the exhibition will continue on to Egypt, Spain, and Brazil later this year and in 2023.

To close the exhibition, individual squares will be sold for $5 each with proceeds benefiting the Art Education area of the Art + Design Department. Those interested in a specific square should email Dr. Steve Willis at SteveWillis@MissouriState.edu. Squares can be purchased and taken home at the closing reception on October 7.

More information on Textile Cartographies and the participating artists, including Dr. Willis, can be found on the Textile Cartographies website.

The Cabot Gallery is located in Brick City Building 3 at 215 West Mill Street, Springfield, Missouri, 65806. The gallery can be visited Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Call 417-837-2330 for additional details.

Taylor Ladd is a graduate assistant for the Department of Art + Design. She is working towards her master’s degree in writing at Missouri State University with professional interests in writing about art, culture, and food.