Hi, I was going to just let this go, but it was a traumatic enough event when it occurred that I just can’t. I have been entering (and occasionally getting into) Fantastic Fibers for years. It’s a great show with a wide variety of work shown each year. I appreciate a venue that celebrates artistic work in fibers.
The juror this year, Bonnie Browning, may have many accolades, but she also has a reputation for censorship. My work was part of a SAQA traveling exhibit that was going to all the AQS exhibits. A viewer at the Grand Rapids show claimed she saw something in one of my quilts that wasn’t there, so AQS removed my quilt from the traveling exhibit. Because my work was supposed to be a group of 2 pieces, they then decided I couldn’t be in any of the future exhibits either because I no longer had 2 pieces. I was told that I was now ‘banned’ from showing work at AQS exhibits and Bonnie Browning was stated to be the voice behind all of the decisions regarding me and my work (per SAQA leadership at the time).
You can see Bonnie’s statement here, along with an article about the censorship. At no point in time did AQS or Bonnie contact me.
I’m not sure why the Yeiser Art Center and those in charge of the Fantastic Fibers exhibit would want someone like that to be in charge of an art fiber exhibit. I don’t doubt her experience and knowledge of traditional quilts, but her treatment of me and my work after AQS had specifically accepted the traveling exhibit into their show rotation is not something I will easily forget.
Obviously, I will not be entering this year. I hope that future jurors of Fantastic Fibers will at least have a tolerance of art and differences. I don’t mind not getting into shows; it happens all the time. I mind when people with a track record of censorship and prejudice are the ones making the decisions. I guess that’s just where we are right now. I’m disappointed…but I will just enter a different show. I refuse to let others be ignorant. I did email the contact person for Fantastic Fibers and the Yeiser Art Center this exact info almost two weeks ago. No response.
Kathy Nida 
And you are not her first victim. She banned Jonathan Shannon’s “Amigos Muertos” as well. She is a “Christian.” I would never enter anything she was associated with and, after many decades as a member, I canceled my AQS membership after the Grand Rapids incident. The woman is vile and has no business judging art.
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I am not privy to anything about this situation, but I do applaud you making a statement public about your feelings. An artist of 49 years myself, I can’t begin to count the terrible things people and organizations have unfairly perpetrated on me, and yes – in the fiberart world – and yes, well-known entities. It is disheartening when there is no reciprocal dialogue; to be left stewing in the unknown is a terrible place to be. I feel for you.
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Quilters can be such precious twats. They need to grow up.
Censored for something that’s isn’t there? Says more about them than about the art.
There are many things I don’t understand about your country. This is just one more: to be offended by bits of a naked body that AREN’T THERE, but to be ok with kids being shot in schools.
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Wow, just wow.
Not even sure why they would even consider Bonnie to curate a show like that, or have any say whatsoever in this regard!
So sorry this happened Kathy… ❤️
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