June at VMOTA

Dear Community,

Thank you to everyone who showed up for the opening weekend of our newest exhibitions. We were delighted to hear from 12 exhibited artists throughout the weekend who graciously shared about the process, meaning, and inspirations of their textile work. We'd like to invite you to set a time to come to the museum to take in the beauty of these pieces firsthand. They will be on display until October 4th.

We Look Forward to Seeing You Soon,

Katrina Bruins

Executive Director

Events & Opportunities

40TH ANNIVERSARY

Honoring The Threads That Connect Us

40 Years of Textile Art Where Every Stitch Tells a Story and Every Story Belongs

At Visions Museum of Textile Art (VMOTA), we believe textile art transforms stories, opens dialogue, sparks curiosity, and enhances mental health and well-being. For 40 years, we’ve championed textile art as both fine art and a source of healing, heritage, and creative expression.

Why Now?

As division increases, we need advocates for the arts now more than ever. Support VMOTA so we can continue to offer a space for reflection, belonging, and a community enriched by cultural exchange through textile art.

Sustaining this mission, especially as arts funding shrinks, requires your support.

DONATE ANY AMOUNT TODAY

Are you dedicated to the future of textile art?

Expand Your Support by Becoming a Visionary Donor – Our first 40 donors who donate $400 or more will receive special recognition for their support on our 2025 campaign materials and webpage, in our impact report, and through an exclusive gift given as a token of our appreciation.

VISIONARY DONOR - DONATE $400 OR MORE

Thank you for joining us in supporting the long-term impacts of textile art.

NOW ON DISPLAY: STORYTELLING THROUGH TEXTILES

Introducing Our Newest Exhibitions

INTIKA: Men in Textiles

In partnership with Oceanside Museum of Art, VMOTA presents an exhibition that showcases men who work with textile art. Inspired by the island of Taquile, Peru where, for nearly 500 years, men have used textiles as a means of expression. The island's indigenous name “INTIKA” is still used by the locals today and was the inspiration for this exhibit.

We Are Voices of Other Voices/Somos Voces de Otras Voces

Under the direction of Ricardo Pinto and María Saldaña, artisans from Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca partnered with contemporary Mexican artists who do not typically work with textiles to develop a series of pieces exclusively crafted for this exhibition.

Human Affects by Laura Foster Nicholson

Through handwoven textiles, Laura shares about climate change, hope of renewable energy, careful farming, and a less destructive way of life.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE OPENING

WEAR YOUR STORY WORKSHOP

Sew Loka Workshop - SOLD OUT!

Exhibited artist Sew Loka will teach participants how to use storytelling techniques to create custom patches to design their own slow fashion jacket. This workshop is currently sold out, however, if you'd like to join our waitlist, please email info@vmota.org.

Event Details

Date: Monday, May 26, 2025

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Don't miss Sew Loka's Spotlight Exhibit:

Mi Sueño Loka: In Pursuit of the American Dream

Running until May 31, 2025

JUNE FOCUS FIBER - MEMBERS ONLY

2024 Venice Art Biennale Experience - June 2, 2025

The 60^th Venice Art Biennale 2024 is a biannual international art event that has consumed the city from spring to fall over the last 120 years. The theme of last year’s event was Stranieri Ovunque/Foreigners Everywhere – you are always a foreigner, even deep inside. The art was amazing, the messaging on this theme was intense, with strong and open representation of numerous underserved communities. Angela D’Amico, Kathleen McCabe and Marty Ornish will be sharing their favorite experiences from this event, which included 330 artists, 88 national participants and 30 collateral events, with a focus on textile art.

Date: Monday, June 2, 2025

Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Learn More

FIRST FRIDAY

First Friday Activity - June 6, 2025

🎉 Get Ready to Weave Some Fun! 🎉

Join us at VMOTA for a colorful, hands-on weaving adventure with the amazing artist Jann Coury! It's a FREE craft event packed with creativity, fun, and family vibes.

🧶 What’s Happening?

A super cool, family-friendly craft night where kids (and grown-ups too!) can learn how to weave and make their own mini masterpieces.

📅 When: Friday, June 6, 2025

🕔 Time: 5 PM – 8 PM

Bring your imagination, grab your friends, and get ready to make something magical!

We can’t wait to create with you!

Learn More

NEW WORKSHOP

Reflecting Traditions: Mirror Embroidery Workshop - June 7, 2025

VMOTA is partnering with Persian Place to host a Mirror Embroidery Workshop to introduce participants to the traditional Persian art of mirror embroidery. This interactive workshop will highlight its cultural significance as a symbol of water, purity, and light.

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025

Time: 12:00pm - 2pm

These event is FREE to the public and open to all, thank you to the generous support of Arts District Liberty Station.

Learn More

STORE POP-UP ON THE VERANDA

Meet the Artists Behind our Retail Store - June 7 & 28, 2025

Stop by VMOTA on June 7th and June 28th from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. and meet some of the artists who sell in our retail store! This is a great opportunity to support textile artists by showing interest in their work, asking them questions about their process, and taking home a gift or two knowing that you shopped with purpose. We hope to see you in June!

COMMUNITY EVENT

Anchored in Wellness - June 28, 2025

Join us on the grass in front of VMOTA for Liberty Station's 2nd Annual Anchored in Wellness event!

This event features outdoor movement activities like yoga and pilates, as well as educational workshops for mind, body, and soul.

VMOTA will be hosting a craft table and talking about the mental health benefits of textile art.

Learn More

CLEAN YOUR CLOSETS

Upcoming Veranda Sale Donation Collection Dates

Support VMOTA by donating fabrics, textile tools, weaving supplies and more!

Every August, VMOTA hosts our annual Veranda Sale - a sustainable shopping event where donors can share the excess supplies and buyers can purchase items at a discounted rate. Not only does this help us save the planet from textile waste, it also encourages artists to continue to create!

We just had our first Spring Cleaning event over the weekend and are so grateful for the donations we received. Please save these dates for our next collection events on June 14th and 16th and July 19th and 21st!

For more information about our sale and the items we take, please click the button below.

Learn More

NEW WORKSHOP

Discover Weaving Inlay On A Transparent Background - August 17-18, 2025

Join us as creative weaving artist Rebecca Smith leads a two-day workshop in the technique of inlay, a process for weaving pictorial and geometric designs on a loom. In this workshop, participants will weave designs simultaneously with the sheer, transparent background or ground cloth. When the finished piece is hung, light travels through the background cloth to frame the design, which remains opaque.

Date: Sunday, August 17 - Monday, August 18, 2025

Time: 9 am - 4 pm with a 1-hour break for lunch each day

The cost is $150 for VMOTA members and $175 for non-members. The class will be limited to 14 participants.

Learn More

PREPARE FOR YOUR SUMMER TRAVELS

Discover More with VMOTA Membership

Did you know that starting at the Supporter level ($125), your membership includes access to the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association?

That means access to a network of over 1,400 museums across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. From premier art and history museums to botanical gardens, science centers, and children’s museums, your membership opens the door to discovery and inspiration far beyond San Diego.

And there's more!! Supporter members can also add a second member to their account at no additional cost, making it even easier to share these experiences with someone special.

Whether you're exploring close to home or traveling across the country, your VMOTA membership brings creativity and connection with you.

Thank you for being part of our community. We can’t wait to see where your membership takes you!

Learn More About our Membership Benefits