Textile Arts Council
In support of the Textile Department
of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
We are a support group of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco with the goal of advancing the appreciation of the Museums' textile and costume collections.
A Bay Area forum that provides lecturers, workshops, events and travel opportunities for artists, designers, aficionados and collectors of ethnic textiles, rugs, tapestries, Western costume, and contemporary fiber art.
All Power To The People
(after Man with Afro, San Francisco, California by Leon A. Borensztein, 1984)
2023 Bisa Butler
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
.jpg)
Latest News
Exciting News From Our Upcoming Bazaar
Textile Arts Council Annual Bazaar
Throughout the Fall we will be highlighting
the people and groups who will be a part of this year's Textile Bazaar.
Welcome our returning vendors!
Here are Mary Connors, JHJ Hats, Kalamkari, and The Didi Jewelry Project.
​​Date and time
​​
Saturday, November 8th · 10am - 4pm PST
​
Location
​
St. Mary's Cathedral Event Center
1111 Gough Street San Francisco
​
Click here to find details about the event.
Mary Connors
As a longtime collector and repeat participant in our annual bazaar, Mary Connors, is once again offering a selection of unique textiles and baskets from Southeast Asia and beyond.
Mary Connors
Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones is a local milliner who hand makes exquisite hats of all descriptions and materials. Visit her website to see an assortment of very special one of a kind chapeau.
Find out more about Jessica's work at JHJ Hats
Courtesy of Mary Connors
.jpg)
Kalamkari
Kalamkari is Indo-Persian for an artist or writer and is the name Cynthia Broderson has given her hand work created by Tibetan refugees in India.
The Didi Jewelry Project
​
supports women in India who are impacted by HIV and poverty. Their jewelry is designed in California by Laurel Gunnarson, who creates the prototype of each unique piece. The finished product uses traditional techniques such as macrame and bead weaving, together with contemporary design, to create a glittering collection of handmade jewelry. In collaboration with Aashiana, an NGO in New Delhi, the project provides these Indian artisans with and income, healthcare, and school fees for their entire families.
​
Didi is the Hindi word for Sister. To see more, visit their website and meet the sisters.
The Didi Jewelry Project
Vendors for TAC Bazaar 2025
Click on an image for more information
Calendar
Lectures, Tours and Workshops
Fall Lecture Series 2025
Lecture
Saturday, October 11th, 2025
The Art of Haute Couture Embroidery: From Archives to the Catwalk
For more than two decades, Nadia Albertini has designed embroidery for couture and luxury houses in France, Belgium, and the United States.
Date and time
​
Saturday, October 11th · 10 - 11:30am PDT
​
Location
​
Online
​
The presentation will take place over Zoom
​
Eventbrite tickets are for those who would like to view the live Zoom broadcast. A recording will be available for 14 days following the talk.
​
Textile Arts Council Members: You do NOT need to purchase a ticket, your link will be emailed to you.
In this talk, Nadia takes the audience behind the scenes of this rarefied world—sharing stories from the ateliers, tracing her journey across leading fashion brands, and revealing step by step how an embroidered dress comes to life, from the first sketch to its debut on the runway. She also highlights the unparalleled role of French embroidery archives, whose treasures continue to inspire and shape the future of couture.
Textile Historian, Embroidery Designer & Lecturer
​
Nadia Albertini is a Paris-based embroidery designer, textile historian, and lecturer whose work bridges the worlds of haute couture, archival research, and cultural heritage. Trained at the École Duperré and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, she has created hand embroideries for leading fashion houses, including Chloé, Chanel, Dries Van Noten, Tory Burch, The Row, Marc Jacobs, and Schiaparelli, as well as bespoke interior design commissions such as the 3-star Michelin restaurant l’Arpège in Paris.
​
Her expertise in embroidery extends beyond the atelier. Nadia is currently pursuing her PhD on embroidery archives and the preservation of endangered techniques at l’Ecole des Chartes. This prestigious institution, a French grande école, was founded in 1821 and is recognized worldwide as the leader in historical research methods. Nadia has managed and digitized the archives of Maison Hurel, the oldest embroidery house in France, and authored two reference books on haute couture embroiderers, Rébé and Kitmir.
​
A passionate storyteller, Nadia lectures internationally on textile history, textile design, and material culture. She curates immersive embroidery and textile journeys, as well as practical workshops that connect travelers with artisans, museums, and private collections. Her research and creative work are dedicated to celebrating the artistry, innovation, and living heritage of haute couture embroidery.
Tours and Workshops
Tour
Wednesday, October 1st
Tour of Berkeley Art Museum's African American Quilts Exhibit
Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California
​​Date and time
​
Wednesday, October 1st · 11 - 12:00pm PDT
​
Location
​
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
2155 Center Street Berkeley
​​​
Cost
​
TAC members $25, non-members $30.
​
Photo courtesy of BAMPFA
About this event
Join TAC for a private tour of the stunning exhibit, led by curator Dr. Elaine Yau.
​
Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California traces the flow and flourishing of quilts during the Second Great Migration. This exhibition features over 100 quilts from BAMPFA's collection, created by more than ninety artists—predominantly Black women with ties to the San Francisco Bay Area. It explores the medium's unique capacity for connecting kin across time and distance, holding memory and ancestral knowledge, and opening up space for beauty and artistic ingenuity.
​
Dr. Elaine Yau is an Associate Curator and Academic Liaison at the Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive. Her work with the African American quilt collection emphasizes collaboration with descendant's families, contemporary quiltmakers, artists, curators, and scholars to ensure equitable paths for the quilts' care and interpretation.
Photo courtesy of BAMPFA
Photo courtesy of BAMPFA
Tour
Saturday, October 25th
Sunday, October 26th
Discover Hidden Treasures at the Antique Rug and Textile Show (ARTS)
An Exclusive TAC Tour
​​Date and time
​
4 time slots -
See details and registration for more information
​
Saturday, October 25th · 11:00 - 12:00pm
Saturday, October 25th · 2:00 - 3:00pm
​
Sunday, October 26th · 11:00 - 12:00pm ​
Sunday, October 26th · 2:00 - 3:00pm
​
​
Location
​
Motel Capri
2015 Greenwich Street San Francisco
​
​​​
Cost
​
TAC members $30, non-members $35
​
Photo courtesy of Renee Cocke
About This Event
Join us for an exclusive TAC tour experience at the renowned Antique Rug and Textile Show (ARTS)! Dive deep into the captivating world of antique rugs and ethnographic textiles, and explore the hidden treasures waiting in each unique room.
​
Over the last decade, ARTS has solidified its reputation as the premier venue, both nationally and internationally, for authentic and unique antique rugs and ethnographic textiles. It has become an eagerly anticipated annual highlight for collectors and dealers alike.
​
A Rich History: The ARTS show's roots trace back to the 1990s, when San Francisco's Motel Capri became the unofficial hub for rug dealers exhibiting at a major tribal-art fair. Inspired by this vibrant energy, one exhibitor envisioned a more relaxed, intimate, room-to-room showcase right at the motel. The first edition launched in 2011, initially spanning two weekends, before evolving into its now ideal, concise Friday-through-Sunday format. Fifteen years on, the show continues to attract esteemed dealers from across the globe, offering a unique opportunity to share expertise and allow visitors to experience exquisite rugs and textiles up close. It also warmly welcomes select tribal-art specialists, further broadening its ethnographic appeal.
​
This TAC tour offers a special opportunity to explore this rich history and the exceptional offerings of the ARTS show. Don't miss your chance to delve into a world of unparalleled artistry and cultural heritage!
​
Meet Your Tour Host: Renée Cocke
​
Leading your TAC tour through the vibrant ARTS show will be Renée Cocke, a seasoned veteran and passionate advocate for antique rugs and ethnographic textiles. With over two decades of experience in the rug industry, her profound knowledge was cultivated during her long tenure at the esteemed KRIMSA fine rugs and décor on Union Street, and further refined by her business partner, renowned rug expert Paul Ramsey.
​
As a dedicated TAC Board Member, Renée's commitment to the textile community is evident. Her intimate, yearly involvement with the ARTS Show provides unparalleled insight into its history, evolution, and unique treasures. With an extensive network, Renée knows every dealer, offering you exclusive access and enriching behind-the-scenes perspectives. Prepare to explore ARTS with an unparalleled guide who can illuminate the stories and significance behind each magnificent textile.
Photo courtesy of Renee Cocke
Photo courtesy of Renee Cocke
Event
Saturday, November 8th
Textile Bazaar
​
TAC is hosting its annual bazaar!
​​Date and time
​​
Saturday, November 8th · 10am - 4pm PST
​
Location
​
St. Mary's Cathedral Event Center
1111 Gough Street San Francisco​
​​​
Cost
​
Free to the public
​
Courtesy of Mary Connors
November 8, 2025 Textile Bazaar
​
St. Mary's Cathedral- Event Center
1111 Gough St. at Geary, San Francisco
10:00am - 4:00pm
​​
On November 8th we will once again be at St. Mary's Cathedral event center, hosting more than 30 vendors, including many old favorites and some exciting new additions.
​
This truly unique event offers an extensive assortment of textiles, jewelry and home accessories from around the world and from the creative community in the Bay Area.
​
Admission is free, the parking is plentiful and #38 Muni stops at the corner
​
For more information please contact Shirley Juster at shirleyjuster.tac@gmail.com
TAC Bazaar 2025
Throughout the Fall we will be highlighting
the people and groups who will be a part of this year's Textile Bazaar.
Here are Jolom Mayaetik, Jasmin Zorlu, Object:Found, and The Didi Jewelry Project.
Jolom Mayaetik is a Maya weavers’ cooperative that formed in 1996 in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. The cooperative's goal was to achieve fair trade pricing and to market their work more effectively than the state cooperative had been doing. In addition to continuing the long tradition passed from mother to daughter over countless generations, marked by the huipil distinctive to their own community, they have adapted their ancient weaving technique and designs to create contemporary products for sale.
​
"As I’ve observed during 25 years as a volunteer with the cooperative, the rural indigenous communities in Chiapas, Mexico, are being pulled into a cash economy, and the weavers’ earnings from the beautiful textiles they weave are essential to their families’ well being."
​
Charlene Woodcock of Jolom Mayaetik
Jolom Mayaetik
Jasmin Zorlu
Jasmin Zorlu specializes in creating eco-friendly sculptural clothing and headwear with a minimal aesthetic. The wearable art inspired by the Art Deco era is 95% completely done by hand and is one-of-a-kind.
​
Meet Jasmin and learn how to make your own Felted Flapper Cloche
Courtesy of Mary Connors
Object:Found
Object:Found " offers hand-soldered glass pendants and Christmas tree ornaments that feature original images salvaged from damaged books, vintage dictionaries, out-of-date calendars, old greeting cards, and other printed materials diverted from the waste stream. The images are curated with an eye towards nostalgia and each one-of-a-kind piece is designed to evoke customers' memories and fond associations." Amy Balsbaugh
​
Learn more about Amy's work at @object.found
The Didi Jewelry Project
​
supports women in India who are impacted by HIV and poverty. Their jewelry is designed in California by Laurel Gunnarson, who creates the prototype of each unique piece. The finished product uses traditional techniques such as macrame and bead weaving, together with contemporary design, to create a glittering collection of handmade jewelry. In collaboration with Aashiana, an NGO in New Delhi, the project provides these Indian artisans with and income, healthcare, and school fees for their entire families.
​
Didi is the Hindi word for Sister. To see more, visit their website and meet the sisters.
The Didi Jewelry Project
Bay Area Fiber Artists Archive
In 2021, TAC launched its Virtual Program Series dedicated to highlighting the lives and work of living Bay Area fiber artists through video documentaries and artists’ conversations.
​
The first program focuses on Alice Beasley, an Oakland-based African American figurative quilter. It took place on August 15, 2021, premiering a video of Alice sharing her work process at her home and studio. In this project, TAC collaborated with the Tracing Patterns Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Berkeley, dedicated to the advancement of textile arts.
​
Our second program features Kay Sekimachi, an internationally renowned weaver who mentored many other Bay Area artists.
​
The third program highlights San Francisco Bay Area mixed media artists Jean Cacicedo and Janet Lipkin who helped pioneer "Art to Wear," an art form designed around the body. Working with a series of studio visits, conversations with these artists, and perspectives from author and curator Melissa Leventon, this film is a tribute to the contributions, friendship, and influence of these two artists.
​
In the fourth program, discover the arashi shibori based art of Ana Lisa Hedstrom and Judith Content. Using a 19th century process intended for commercial production of modest fabric for yukata robes, they have adapted the technique to make innovative and inspired works of art. Interviews with the artists, demonstrations of their techniques and commentary by artist and scholar Yoshiko Wada introduce the viewer to their artistic legacy.
Alice Beasley: Having Her Say
Living Art: Jean Cacicedo, Janet Lipkin
& The Evolution of Art to Wear
Kay Sekimachi Perspectives: Art, Legacy and Influence
Ana Lisa Hedstrom and Judith Content: Continuum In Cloth / Approaches to Contemporary Shibori
From the Museum: A New Exhibit
Embroidered Histories
​
Spot sampler (detail), 1685, Germany. Linen, wool, silk; canvas, embroidery (buttonhole, cross, satin, and feather stitches, French knots), 22 x 9 3/8 in. (55.88 x 23.813 cm). Gift of George and Marie Hecksher, 2023.23. Photograph by Randy Dodson
Featuring favorite stitches and motifs, embroidery samplers have been used to teach needlework skills and literacy since the 14th century. By the 18th century, these textiles were viewed as works of art in their own right. This exhibition highlights European embroidery samplers from the 17th through 19th centuries in our collection. Through a close look at the samplers’ materials, techniques, and designs, Embroidered Histories explores economic, political, and social developments in Europe during these centuries
Subscribe