SAQA Seminar 2023 - Material Matters

Member Program

Thanks to everyone who participated in SAQA Seminar 2023 - Material Matters!  We had a blast exploring all the content with you. If you missed anything (or just want a refresher), everything will be available on the website for years to come.

Explore the materials we use, from those we commonly think of to the more futuristic substances being developed. You can enjoy video conversations, galleries, resources, and optional activities.

Questions? Please contact us at seminar@saqa.art.

Available Weeks
Welcome! We can’t wait to share all the information that we’ve learned about traditional and innovative fibers and fabrics. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover more about the possibilities open to you.
Sustainability is a “hot” topic nowadays. As the climate crisis affects us all, we must be more aware of the carbon footprint that we leave on our world. “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” are things most of us have been doing for a considerable time, but in this unit, we want to explore sustainability as it relates to the materials we use when we make our art.
Welcome to Week 3 - all about cotton! Textile artists use many different fibers and materials, but most of us use cotton at some point in our journey.
This week, we explore fabrics used in our art that go beyond cotton by looking at other plant-based fibers: linen, ramie, hemp, flax, and paper. These materials are some of the oldest and most utilized fibers since the beginning of human time.
Welcome to SAQA Seminar 2023 - Week 5: Wool. Wool is a natural fiber that is becoming increasingly popular because of its heat-retaining properties, sustainability, and ability to be knitted, woven, felted and so much more.
Welcome to SAQA Seminar 2023 - Week 6: Silk. Consider the possible uses of silk in your art practice as you learn the science, history, and future of silk.
There seems no end to people’s incredible imagination when designing futuristic fabrics. This week we will share some of those that are especially creative.
This week, we explore how textile artists utilize various manmade materials which have the physical characteristics to be cut, dyed, painted, manipulated and deformed. The possibilities are endless, especially when exploring 3D art.

Frequently Asked Questions