The Gallery at Innsbrook- Barb Zappulla

EXHIBITING GALLERY: The Gallery at Innsbrook

TITLE OF SHOW: INNOVATIONS IN TEXTILES 8 AT INNSBROOK: EIGHT ARTISTS INTERPRET NATURE IN TEXTILES AND FIBER

OPENING DATE AND CLOSING DATE: September 5th, from 10-12, closes on October 3rd

INVITATIONAL SHOW ORGANIZED BY: Marjorie Hoeltzel

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Dawn Ottensmeier, Pat Owoc, Luanne Rimel, Barbara Simon, Sun Smith Foret, Alana Tibbets, Barb Zappulla and Marjorie Hoeltzel

The Gallery at Innsbrook

http://www.innsbrook-resort.com/arts.shtml#Innovations

(636)928-3366 ext. 214

For directions visit: http://www.innsbrook-resort.com/directions.shtml

Submitted by Artist: Barb Zappulla

As an Interior Designer for over 35 years, I have specified textiles and fiber art for commercial environments. Ten years ago I rediscovered weaving, joined the Saint Louis Weavers Guild and haven’t looked back. In addition to my Interior Design business, I’m an Adjunct Instructor at Maryville University, Interior Design Program where I teach various design studios, textiles and interior materials classes. Recently I joined MoFA, the Missouri Fiber Arts organization. MoFA is strengthening my fiber education and proves continuing inspiration for my fiber work.

My fiber work/weaving has varied over the years; from textile weaving on both a jack and tapestry loom, to knotted waxed linen vessels, deer antler basketry, bead weaving, pine needle basketry, batik/mud dyeing, and embroidery, knitting/crocheting. I seem to have the kind of artist spirit that likes to explore different mediums at different times. And while I haven’t settled on one fiber medium to work in, I am currently blending several learned skills into each piece.

I split my living and work time between the country, where my studio is located in the loft of my Innsbrook cabin and in the city where my front yard is the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Intentionally I surround myself with nature because my inspiration has been and continues to be nature, wildlife and Indian cultures. Whether Native American, Asian, African or others, they all ‘tell stories’. It is the telling of the story through cultural symbols and designs that are in my work. My pieces therefore tend to create symbolic interpretations with an emphasis on the telling of the story and its influence upon our current cultures.

I am very excited about the variety and number of the galleries that make up this years’ Innovations In Textiles 8. And because it is my intent to introduce fiber/textiles of local artists to these future Interior Designers their

class includes ‘extra/bonus’ points for visiting and providing feedback on Innovations 8 Galleries.