Apparent Contradictions

Opening Reception: Friday August 30

Apparent Contradictions is a regional juried exhibition organized by the New Jersey + New York region of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA). Featuring new work by upwards of 30 fiber artists, this exhibition invites viewers to consider the visual potential of paradoxical language—those contradictory phrases and idioms that shape our everyday speech and cultural expression. From irony to understatement, the show highlights the rich terrain where visual form and linguistic tension intersect.

Juried by acclaimed fiber artist Ann Johnston, Apparent Contradictions is the second installment of the byCONTRAST series, following a well-received run across three New York venues in 2023 and 2024. The exhibition at RoCo will begin a tour of this exhibition including subsequent showings at:

View Center for Arts and Culture: Old Forge, NY
Trenton City Museum at Ellerslie Park: Trenton, NJ
Genesee Valley Quiltfest 2026, Rochester Institute of Technology: Rochester, NY
Bethany Arts Community: Ossining, NY

*Submissions are due June 30. Learn more HERE

ABOUT THE SAQA

Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt: "a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure." Our vision is that the art quilt is universally respected as a fine art medium. SAQA’s core values are: excellence, innovation, integrity, and inclusion. Over the past 35 years, SAQA has grown into a dynamic and active community of over 4,000 artists, curators, collectors, and art professionals located around the world. With our exhibitions, resources, publications, and membership opportunities, we seek to increase the public's appreciation for the art quilt and to support our members in their artistic and professional growth.

ABOUT THE JUROR

Ann Johnston is widely recognized for her experimental approach to dyeing and fabric, with works included in over twenty solo exhibitions and numerous publications.