Upcoming Exhibitions & Events
SJMQT and SJMA Tour Swap
Saturday, May 2nd 2026 from 11am to 1:30pm
Join us for a two-part program starting at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles (SJMQT) for a curator-led tour of the exhibition The Woven Pixel, which explores the rise of digital weaving. Then join us at the San José Museum of Art (SJMA) for a curator-led tour of Motherboards, which explores the legacies of women's work in technology.
Free admission to both institutions
Analog Days: ON REPEAT
Saturday, May 2nd 2026 from 2 to 5pm
Join us every first Saturday of the month for a phone-free activity!
This month the museum will host "ON REPEAT" where you will learn how to make a repeat pattern to reference for other creative projects using paints, markers, pens, pencils, cardstock, tape and scissors. Let your imagination fly and create a pattern that is completely unique!
FREE with admission
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Layered Fabric Assemblage with Vicki Assegued
Sunday, May 3rd 2026 from 11am to 4pm
You'll learn many techniques for creating a truly unique and stunning art piece, with multiple layers and textures of fabric. The piece begins with creating a base, then covering it with beautiful overlays of fabric, surrounded by shapes that extend outward, giving the piece added shape, dimension and excitement. The final piece will hang on the wall. No sewing involved, no art experience necessary, and perfect for all levels, from beginning through advanced artists.
$130 (all materials included)
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Paper to Pattern: a Textile Workshop with Mira Musank
Wednesday, May 6th 2026 from 6 to 8pm
Join us for a hands-on workshop exploring creative approaches to sustainable textile design led by artist and designer Mira Musank. Participants will learn how simple paper materials can become the starting point for garment and textile construction while engaging with ideas of waste reduction, craft, and sustainable making. No prior experience is required.
This workshop is part of the San José Climate Art Program, an initiative connecting artists, cultural organizations, and communities through creative responses to climate action. Paper to Pattern is organized in collaboration with Mira Musank, FabMo, and the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles.
FREE, limited spots
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Yoga at the Museum with Sarah Wilhelm
Second Sundays: May 10th, 2026 from 10am to 11am
Join us for a rejuvenating and peaceful morning of yoga at the Museum! Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a beginner, Sarah Wilhelm will guide you through a series of gentle poses and mindfulness practices, all within the inspiring environment of our Museum. All ages and levels welcome, we can't wait to see you!
MAY will feature Chair Yoga—accessible to all!!
$18 per person
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Textile Cards with Mirka Knaster
Saturday, May 16th, 2026 from 10am to 1pm
There is no need to toss textile stuff into the landfill. Using a variety of fabrics, yarns, threads, papers, embellishments (beads, feathers, etc.), and whatever else is at hand, we will create abstract compositions to fit inside Strathmore photo frame cards (5”x7”). They can be used as unique cards for special occasions or inserted into inexpensive frames to become personal gifts of original art.
$95 (all materials included)
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Textile Trees with Mirka Knaster
Saturday, May 23rd 2026 from 10am to 3pm
If you are able to thread a needle and do the simple overcast/whip stitch (neatly or not!), you’re capable of creating a textile tree infused with loving kindness for the recipient. If you’re already a fiber artist, this is a chance to explore a 3-D approach to your materials.
We will create small Korean-style pouches to hang from actual branches. Traditionally, in Korea, while making something for someone you care about, you stitch while holding positive thoughts for that person, whether for a happy marriage, successful career, strong health, and so on. We start with squares of fabric (sagak). There are many options: interior design samples from FabMo, remnants from other projects, Korean ramie, cloth you’ve hand-dyed, felt, organza you’ve painted, even decorative paper. To close the 4 sides into a dangling pouch, the thread can match or contrast the fabric color. If you like, add beads on the outside and/or a message of good wishes on the inside.
$118 per person
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Threads of Thought: Ryan Carrington
Saturday, June 6th, 2026 at 2pm
"I grew up in a family that values labor, hard work, and creating with one’s hands. At the heart of all of my pieces lies a quiet homage to the modern-day craftsman and tradesman. My work bridges issues of labor, class, work ethic and economics with my personal and family history. Within my studio practice I delve deep into processes that parallel the monotony and tedium that laborers endure.
Through my art, I shed light on a corner of our society with a rich history of craftsmanship, process, and precision. By nurturing a fresh fascination of tools and materials, I provoke consideration for how we value each other in our ever-changing community. "
- Ryan Carrington
Join us to hear more about Carrington’s exceptional work!
$15 per person
$10 Member / Student
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Going Beyond the Frame with Vicki Assegued
Sunday, June 7th, 2026 from 11am to 4pm
You'll begin by wrapping a frame with gorgeous fabrics and fibers, creating a foundation for adding elements within, around and beyond the frame. You'll then learn an exciting variety of techniques for creating all sorts of parts and pieces to add on to your artwork, turning it into a gorgeous and unique wall piece.
$130 (all materials included)
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Beginning Tapestry with Kathleen Dickey
Friday, June 26th, 2026 from 10am to 3pm
In this workshop, you will learn the basics of tapestry, using simple frame looms. Tapestry is an ancient, simple technique that inspires contemplation.
It can be functional, as in rugs, decorative, or both! Prewarped looms, tools, and tapestry yarns will be provided. You will leave the class with a small loom with your samples on it, plus a handout with resources.
$130 (all materials included)
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Stuffed Vessels— an Adventure into Dimensional Fiber Sculpture with Vicki Assegued
Sunday, July 5th, 2026 from 11am to 4pm
You'll start by building a stuffed shape, covering it with a foundation of beautiful fabrics, and then having a wonderful time decorating and developing it. You'll learn to make a variety of fun shapes and parts to attach to your vessel, adding texture and dimension. You can build a base and a top, shaped as you choose it to be. This workshop is packed with learning many techniques for going all out with decorating and embellishing your art, which can include all kinds of wrapping and making of various objects to hang on your piece, as well as tassels, fringe, pompoms, and so much more.
$130 (all materials included)
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Threads of Thought: Shannon Mirabelli-Lopez
*Event has been postponed*
Democratizing Art and Design: An Educators Journey
The role of public art & design education in culture change
After a decade in music industry management, costume design, and styling, Shannon Mirabelli-Lopez entered academia through The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. As Associate Research Curator at the Met, she collaborated with Harold Koda, Curator in Charge, and Andrew Bolton, Curator, on exhibitions, publications, acquisitions, and education. She has taught and lectured at New York University, Pratt, and Parsons, with research interest areas that include twentieth-century avant-garde fashion and sub-cultural style, non-western costume as it relates to contemporary fashion practice, issues of sustainability, and postwar decorative arts and design history. Mirabelli-Lopez has an undergraduate degree in anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley, a master’s degree in visual culture from New York University, and an MPhil in decorative arts, design, and culture from The Bard Graduate Center in New York City. We had to postpone this event, but please fill out this google form to receive a personalized invite when the new date is announced.
Threads of Thought: Cordy Joan
*Event has been postponed until further notice*
Transmissions Quilts is a project that makes quilts for individually nominated trans people. Along the way, we are building out an oral histories archive of interviews with quilt recipients and offering community workshops to trans and queer people. We're thrilled to be collaborating with San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles to offer a talk about the project. Preceding the talk will be a chance for trans and queer people to gather and work on a collective quilt together - no experience necessary. The pieces we make in these workshops enter into a larger exhibition that we are taking on tour around the country. The tour is intended to bring the gift-quilts and associated art objects to places our trans quilters and recipients live. Photo by Alastair Boone. We had to postpone this event, but please fill out this google form to receive a personalized invite when the new date is announced.
