All About Abaca is an exhibition featuring Morgan Conservatory Artists-in-Residence who regularly utilize the fiber abaca, a highly regarded fiber in papermaking communities, plus local artists who are new to the medium. Local artists were given a 40" x 60" sheet of handmade abaca paper to manipulate and use as they saw fit within their own artistic practice.

 

Abaca (Musa textilis), also known as manilla hemp, is a plant native to the Philippines. It is closely related to wild seeded banana plants. Philippine indigenous tribes use abaca for textiles and clothing. With Spanish Colonization in the 19th century, abaca became a highly valued export for military and maritime products, such as rope, due to its strength and salt resistance. Aside from papermaking, abaca is primarily used as a biodegradable alternative to synthetic fibers such as material for high quality tea bags, rope and more.​

Join us on Friday, May 27th, 2026 for the Opening Reception from 5-8 p.m. Talk with featured artists about their work. Light refreshments will be served. 

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FEATURED ARTISTS:

Mia Brown-Seguin*, Craig Fisher*, Liana Gonzalez, Sanaz Hagani*, Emily Olszewski, Theadis Reagins, Nicole Uzzell*, Antwoine Washington,Kirstin Willders*

 

*denotes 2025 Morgan Conservatory Artist-In-Residence

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