the same handcrafted cloths by artists that have wooed patrons for years will be on display in the Unexpected Patterns exhibit at the Worcester Center for Crafts. The exhibit, which opens on April 7, was initially titled “Unexpected Patterns: Quake!” but after the recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, organizers decided to drop “quake” from the title out of respect. The featured artists designed their work by exploring the changes that occur after an unpredicted transformation – like an earthquake, for example. “The artists really all dealt with the issues of natural phenomenon and tried to reflect that in their work,” says Carol Donnelly, interim director of the Worcester Center for Crafts. “[The exhibit is] really exceptionally beautiful and demonstrates the way fiber can be used in a rather universal yet exceptional way.” The artists took a flat, white piece of fabric and used different methods to manipulate the fabric into an original and unique piece of artwork. “Cloth, too, can experience profound, violent and unexpected change to its static structure,” explains artist Mary-Ellen Latino.

The Unexpected Patterns: Quake! exhibit originally made its debut at the Archway Gallery in Houston in 2009 and featured 12 artists’ pieces that are based on the idea of “quake.” “This is an exhibit that is done by a nationally known group of fiber artists, and [Latino] was one of our teachers in the fiber department, and she enabled us to get this exhibit. We’re the final venue for it,” says Donnelly. The exhibit features work from the Art Cloth Network, a group of 24 professional artists from

all around the United States who create and exhibit art cloth at various venues. “This exhibit brings together a diverse group of artists with a variety of backgrounds,” says Joy Lavrencik, an artist with the Art Cloth Network. “It is a colorful show and every piece is unique but is so much more powerful when it hangs together. It really echoes our group.” The artists use traditional techniques that are adapted from Japan, Indonesia and Africa, among others, but also innovative methods to create unique designs on fabric. Latino, who lives in Southborough,

uses bold colors and fabrics to create compelling designs. “My goal as an artist is to create vibrant and meaningful pieces to tough the emotions and enliven the spirit of the viewer,” Latino shares. Latino’s “Metamorphosis” symbolizes life’s ever-changing journey. By “creating diverse abstract images that collide, overlap and merge together,” Latino says. Artist Barbara Schneider of Woodstock, Ill., explores what happens after an earthquake in her work, “After Effects, Variation 1.” Schneider used small leafs that are woven into the background of the design, because bit by bit the earth begins to flourish again. “When you think about what’s happened [in Japan] – I think about where will they be in 10 years? What will change?” says Schneider, revealing how the earthquake in Japan has brought new meaning to her Japanese-style art depicting growth after an earthquake. Each of the 12 artists takes the theme and uses their own interpretation to create a colorful pattern that exudes variety; together these pieces create an intriguing exhibit. Unexpected Patterns will be on exhibit from April 7-30, including a reception and gallery talk on April 7 from 5-7 p.m. in the Krikorian Gallery at the Worcester Center for Crafts (25 Sagamore Rd., Worcester). The Krikorian Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information on the Worcester Center for Craft, visit worcestercraftcenter.org. For details on the Art Cloth Network visit artclothnetwork.com.