Fibers Studios, Labs, & Loom Room
Learn More
The BFA Fibers Program offers coursework in weaving, surface design, knitting, felt-making, basketry, papermaking, dyeing, and fabric construction.
The BFA Fibers program offers a diverse array of courses, with the philosophy of encouraging students to make personally meaningful connections between traditional approaches and contemporary techniques.
In seminars, advanced studios, and interdisciplinary courses, students explore interdisciplinary projects, combining fibers with sculpture, performance, installation, drawing, and architecture. Issues of environmental and cultural sustainability are also at the core of our curriculum, and several of our courses are a part of the Colleges of the Fenway Sustainability Minor.
Fibers faculty member Deb Klotz
Papermaking class
Papermaking
Papermaking class
The Fibers program has evolved along with expanding definitions of the fiber medium within the field, continuing to root our curriculum in the oldest technologies while building curricular bridges to the ways in which fiber intersects with sculpture, design, performance, sustainability, and social practice.
Students are encouraged to integrate and apply their classroom learning via internships, teaching assistantships within the Fiber and Studio Foundation areas, and collaborative opportunities with area museums such as the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston.
BFA Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Fiber BFA program are expected to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes.
- Develop skill and an understanding of the importance of craftsmanship
- Understand a wide range of approaches and methodologies to problem solving
- Develop good working habits & self discipline
- Develop cross disciplinary awareness
- Develop an understanding of conceptual, symbolic and metaphoric issues
- Develop an awareness of historical, contemporary, cross-cultural issues and artists working in their field
- Encourage their personal vision and imaginations to become a tangible reality
- Develop a working knowledge of design principles
- Develop a sense of being an artist using life and studio experience to support their ideas
- Cooperative classroom experience
- Foster collaboration among peers
- Establish relationships/ work with community
- Safety: tools, equipment, materials, processes
- To assume the responsibility of the development of their own professional career in whatever direction it may take
- Participate in critical dialogue with peers in their field
- Develop professional and vocational resources
- Sustainability
Alumni
Graduates of the Fibers program have gone on to pursue careers in textile design, textile conservation, art education, fine art, curatorial work, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Annabelle O’Reilly, ’23 BFA, Fibers
Unraveling, Mixed Media, 2024
Andy Li, Fibers
The What, Fibers, 2021
Sophia Rosselli, Fibers
Time Collides, Fibers, 2020
Information for