Madison Contemporary Fiber Artists
Carolyn Benforado
Pining for the Door
Current Exhibit
Capitol Lakes Retirement Community: May 3 - June 27, 2025
Welcome! About Our Group...
Madison Contemporary Fiber Artists (MCFA) is a group of diverse fiber artists who share a passion for creating original art from fiber. Founded in 1999 as a collective for fiber artists from the Madison and Southern Wisconsin area, the group has a dual mission:
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To encourage artists' growth by providing a forum to explore contemporary design and fiber manipulation techniques, to offer advice about works in progress, and to stimulate creativity
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To promote fiber art as an art form by showcasing art in group exhibitions and hosting occasional public workshops
Fiber art encompasses a variety of artistic mediums and techniques that utilize natural and synthetic fibers to create two-dimensional or three-dimensional works of art. Fiber art goes beyond functional textiles and focuses on artistic expression and exploring textures, colors, and forms. While fiber art can be functional, it is primarily valued for its aesthetic and artistic qualities. The artist's design and choice of materials and techniques are integral to the work's significance. Fiber art is a powerful way to communicate emotions, ideas, and stories.
Fiber art includes art quilts, surface design, thread painting, hand embroidery, needlepoint, weaving, felting, wearable art, fabric dyeing, mixed fiber media, beading, contemporary dolls, and paper making.
MCFA Meetings
All Madison Contemporary Fiber Artists meetings are held at:
Blue Bar Quilts
6333 University Avenue
Middleton, Wisconsin 53562​
2025 Meeting Schedule:
January - March: 2nd Tuesday of the month
10:30 am - 12:00 pm.
April - October: 2nd Tuesday of the month
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.
November: Annual dinner party for members only
December: No meeting
2026 Meetings: TBD
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Meetings include an informal gathering during the 30 minutes before each meeting starts; a short 15-30 minute business meeting to plan education, exhibitions, and other shared group activities; and an hour dedicated to sharing in progress and completed fiber art.
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MCFA Membership
Membership in MCFA is open to anyone with an interest in making fiber art. The cost of membership is $30/year beginning in January; there is no pro-rated price if one joins later in the year. Membership includes access to the group listserv, ability to participate in shows and enrichment activities, listing on the website, and friendships with other fiber art makers. As a volunteer organization, MCFA depends upon its members to carry out tasks required to support group activities. There are many opportunities for members to contribute to MCFA such as facilitating meetings, serving as meeting scribe, planning exhibits, installing shows, and filling group roles as webmaster or treasurer. MCFA recognizes that artists grow when they share and discuss their work, therefore all members are encouraged to share their original fiber art with others at the monthly meetings. New members are always welcome!
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