National Touring Exhibit at ArtReach St. Croix

STILLWATER, MN – ArtReach St. Croix is proud to open their doors as one of four venues nationwide to be hosting Small Expressions from the Handweavers Guild of America’s 2025 Touring Exhibit program.

Small Expressions is an annual juried showcase of contemporary small-scale fiber art using techniques such as weaving, interlacing, basket making, bead weaving, embroidery, felting, and mixed media. Small in scale but visually compelling, the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.’s (HGA) exhibit features work that speaks to the intricacy of expression and intimacy of design. These 33 skilled artists employ a variety of traditional and non-traditional media creating outstanding presentations.

Featuring 36 contemporary small-scale art works by artists from 18 states and 3 countries, Small Expressions is touring galleries in the United States from July 2025 through June 2026. The exhibit opened July 12, 2025, in Blue Ridge, Georgia at the Blue Ridge Mountains Art Association at The Art Center. From there, the exhibit went to Jansen Art Center in Lydan, Washington and has made it’s way to ArtReach St Croix. From ArtReach St. Croix, the exhibit will travel to the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center in Marquette, Michigan for its final stop.

This exhibit’s juror is Tommye McClure Scanlin. Scanlin is Professor Emerita at the University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, where she began the weaving program in the early 1970s. She explored different ways to create imagery with weaving until at last embracing handwoven tapestry as her medium of choice three decades ago. She is the author of The Nature of Things: Essays of a Tapestry Weaver and Tapestry Design Basics and Beyond: Planning and Weaving with Confidence.

“Hosting an nationally touring exhibition is an honor,” says Heather Rutledge, executive director of ArtReach St. Croix. "It is atypical for us to reach beyond the area for a show, but weavers, fiber artists and crafters will love seeing the wide range of techniques and styles. The show is very inspiring!"

An opening reception will take place on Saturday, February 21 from 2-4pm at ArtReach St. Croix’s Royal Credit Union Foundation Gallery. Small Expressions will be on view February 19 through March 28.

ArtReach St. Croix is located at 224 N. 4th Street in Stillwater, MN. Gallery hours for Small Expressions are Wednesday & Friday, 10am-4pm, Thursdays, 10am-7pm, and Saturdays, 12-4pm. The gallery is free and open to everyone.

HGA was awarded a Project Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, for fiscal year 2026. The Project Grant helps fund single art projects like art exhibits, theater productions, a series of children’s workshops, an artist residency, or may be used for capacity-building projects, such as developing a strategic plan or providing professional development. As part of this year’s Project awards, 45 entities in 22 counties will receive more than $216,000 in funding.

Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from nonprofit organizations, government entities, public libraries, schools, and colleges and universities. Projects may be one-time events, such as a festival or exhibit, or a series of events, such as a roster of classes or a series of productions. Add a quote from your organization about what the grant will help fund and the importance of this funding for your organization/community.

Funding for these grants is provided through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) uses Peer Review Panels to judge and review applications following standard practices set by the National Endowment for the Arts. Panelists are GCA Council members and fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed, or are citizens with a record of arts activities, experience, and knowledge.

For inquiries about booking Small Expressions visit the HGA website WeaveSpinDye.org, call (470) 893-0554, or email Mandy@WeaveSpinDye.org.

ArtReach St. Croix is a non-profit regional arts organization committed to the mission of connecting communities to the arts throughout the St. Croix Valley. ArtReach supports the work of artists and arts organizations through events, marketing initiatives and education opportunities that foster and celebrate the visual, literary and performing arts in the St. Croix Valley. The work of ArtReach St. Croix is made possible through generous donations from individuals and grants from foundations. Visit artreachstcroix.org to learn more.