Detail of a photo courtesy of Karen Rifas

By PAM HARBAUGH

One of the most sophisticated and cultured events you can experience in Brevard County are the series of lectures presented by the Friends of Textiles, an arm of the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts.

The lectures are always educational, exciting, stimulating and inspiring.

The next one is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 20. Presented by Miami artist Karen Rifas, it is called “Skirting Around the Textile Arts — from Michelin Man to Site-Specific Installations.” While the lecture begins 6 p.m. Tuesday, a reception begins 45 minutes earlier, at 5:15 p.m. Both are held at the Denius Student Center, Hartley Room on the main campus of Florida Tech, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne.

As stated in the press release, Ms. Rifas has taught at the New World School of the Arts and the University of Miami. She had created site-specific installations with unusual materials such as stitched leaves, cords, cable and household paint. Her work explores environmental, political and social issues.

The lecture is being presented at the same time that you can see installation art at the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts’ thrilling exhibition, “Light and Shadow: Contemporary Fiber Art by Hye Shin.” That exhibition runs through Dec. 12.

Admission to the Karen Rifas lecture is $10 and free for members of Friends of Textiles and free for Florida Tech faculty, staff and students. For information about the lecture, please call 321-674-8313.

Admission to the “Light and Shadow” exhibition is free. For more information about the exhibit, click here.