ArtsArlington’s current featured artist is Laura Bagnall, who creates and teaches Shibori, the ancient art of manipulating cloth and dyeing it to achieve specific patterns.
After retiring from a career in engineering, Laura took took a class in Shibori, and was immediately hooked. Though Laura hadn’t heard of Shibori when she took her first class three years ago, she found it provided an opportunity to incorporate stitching techniques that reflect her long-time love of sewing. Her work ranges from wall hangings to scarves and other garments, employing the Japanese tradition of Shibori with indigo dye. Her favorite part of the process is the magical moment when she unbinds and unfolds the fabric that she has lovingly prepared and dyed, as she never knows exactly how it will turn out.
Laura is a member of Mystic Open Studios, where she creates works and also teaches Shibori. She has exhibited there and at Arlington Center for the Arts, and has a piece in the upcoming Exploring the World of Fibers 2026 at LexArt.
Learn more about Laura and her work in our Featured Artist profile.
