May at VMOTA

Dear Community,

We are blown away by the generosity and support of our community. Thank you for showing up to support those impacted by the recent L.A. fires by creating beautiful pieces of textile art. We collected over 50 pieces in a month and dropped them off with our partners at Craft Contemporary in Los Angeles who are helping us with distribution. If the fires impacted you or someone you know and they would benefit from a piece of art in a new or temporary home, please reach out to info@vmota.org for more information on how to retrieve a piece.

Thank you for being a light in a time of uncertainty - united we stand.

With Gratitude,

Katrina Bruins

Executive Director

Events & Opportunities

VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT

Mark Your Calendars for "Threads of Time" Fundraiser Event

Executive Director Katrina Bruins talks about the upcoming Threads of Time Spring Auction on KUSI with Teresa Sardina

Location: VMOTA

2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92106

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025

Time: 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Last chance to purchase tickets for our spring fundraising auction!

Support our enriching programs and top-tier exhibitions, and have fun doing it! Our spring event will include a silent and live auction, wearable art show, hands-on textile art engagement, and small bites and drinks.

Do you live far from the museum or unable to drive at night? We welcome you to join us with a virtual ticket that will give you access to bid on our silent auction items from the comfort of your home!

Thank you to our sponsors who helped make this event possible!

Learn More

PURCHASE TICKETS

NEXT 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 artists 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.

Please note: Our galleries will be closed for installation from April 26th to May 6th. We invite you to visit the other museums and galleries in Liberty Station for May First Friday!

SAVE THE DATE

Artist Gallery Talks

Location: VMOTA

2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92106

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025

Time: Starting at 1:00 PM

At the start of each exhibition, we have a wonderful opportunity to hear from the contributing artists about their process and inspiration. Join us for this free event where we'll walk through the galleries and hear from the artists who are present.

COMING SOON

2025 Veranda Sale Spring Cleaning Donation Event

Donate unwanted fabrics and notions to support our annual sale!

Spring is the perfect time to clean out your closet and help the museum at the same time! Please bring donated items to the museum during the following times:

Saturday, May 17th from 10 AM to 2 PM

Monday*, May 19th from 10 AM to 2 PM

*Note: Since the museum is closed on Mondays, please knock upon arrival.

By donating to this sale, you:

Provide low prices on textiles, embellishments, and sewing tools for community members.
Contribute to a green planet by recycling items in your home.
Support our museum so we can continue to provide free exhibitions and accessible workshops for visitors from around the world.

SAVE THE DATE:

Annual Veranda Sale

August 2nd, 2025

Learn More About Accepted Items

WEAR YOUR STORY WORKSHOP

Sew Loka Workshop - May 26, 2025

We have a few spots left to connect with local legend, Sew Loka, through her upcoming workshop!

In this workshop, participants will use storytelling techniques to create custom patches to design their own slow fashion jacket. You will be guided through a reflective process of identifying meaningful life moments, core values, or bold phrases that resonate deeply within. Using fabric paint markers, textile scraps, and other embellishment techniques, you will create custom patches that make statements and tell specific stories about your life. You will also be provided a variety of recycled and vintage fabrics, embroidery thread, lettering, tags, and more to cut and sew onto your own jacket.

Event Details

Date: Monday, May 26, 2025

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

The cost is $125 for VMOTA members and $150 for non-members. All supplies are included except for participant’s own jacket that they bring from home or purchase from a thrift store.

Learn More

Don't miss Sew Loka's Spotlight Exhibit:

Mi Sueño Loka: In Pursuit of the American Dream

April 16 to May 31, 2025

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

MEMBERS ONLY CHALLENGE

San Diego & Beyond - May 14 - June 21, 2025

Exhibition Dates: May 14 – June 21, 2025

Description: The theme of “San Diego and Beyond” celebrates the vibrant culture, landscapes, and spirit of San Diego while reaching out to global influences. Capture the essence of San Diego—its coastal beauty, diverse communities, and rich history—while also exploring connections to broader themes and inspirations from around the world. Download your contract for San Diego & Beyond here. With a possibility for off-site exposure, we invite members to highlight specific areas of our city: e.g. Coronado Bridge, Barrio Logan, Carlsbad Flower Fields, and beyond.

Deadline to Museum: April 26 – May 10, 2025

Pick Up Dates: June 25 – July 9, 2025

SAN DIEGO MUSEUM COUNCIL PARTNERSHIP

The Big Exchange - May 1-18, 2025

From May 7–18, mention "The Big Exchange" at checkout and score an exclusive 10% discount on your store purchase!

This special offer is part of an amazing collaboration with the San Diego Museum Council, bringing the community together to celebrate local culture, creativity, and connection.

Curious about The Big Exchange and how you can take part?

👉 Learn more here

Don’t miss your chance to save—and support something big!