About Philis Alvic:

Although Philis Alvic grew up in Chicago and has lived in Alaska, Florida, and South Carolina, she has called Kentucky home since 1976. She attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Art Education with concentrations in painting and weaving. At Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, additional graduate study added to her knowledge of textiles. Her weaving has been represented in over 300 juried, invitational, or solo exhibitions on the regional and national level. She is an exhibiting juried member of Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, Kentucky Craft Marketing, Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc, and Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft. Philis is the author of "Weavers of The Southern Highlands" which she wrote following extensive research in the Appalachian Mountains.

Philis is an artist that has chosen weaving as her principal medium of expression. Over the last fifty years she has used completely loom-controlled pattern weaving to convey a series of visual ideas that are usually approached through painting rather than woven panels. Her ideas come from a variety of sources—the world around her, great works of art and textiles, and the mechanical aspects of her craft. While her career might seem unusual to many, all of her varied activities have contributed to her insight and work as a weaver. 

The Family:

Philis' sons: Aaron Schroeder (sculpture)

Artist Bio: 

Aaron Alvic Schroeder is Philis Alvic’s oldest son.  He received a BFA in drawing and functional design from Murray State University, and an MFA from the Ohio State University, with emphases in drawing and sculpture.  After graduating from Ohio State, he maintained studios in Columbus, Ohio and in Shelby, Ohio where he moved with his family.  In 2017 he returned to Kentucky and has since maintained a studio in Lexington.  As a working artist he has completed many commissions for a wide variety of clients, and his work is placed in homes, businesses, and public spaces, such as the Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta.  His work includes whimsical large metal birds and whales, light sculptures, carved boat forms, life drawings, outdoor sculptures, and many others.  Over the past year, he has explored the use of virtual reality as a medium for displaying his and Philis Alvic’s art works in three dimensional virtual space.

Artist Statement:

As a professional artist I have spent my life exploring the use of materials to produce a wide variety of artworks.  I am deeply immersed in working with tools.  I’m fascinated with incorporating light and sound into sculptures.  I believe that drawing is a fundamental skill in the process to plan new projects.

Ezra Schroeder (woodwork)

Artist Bio:

I am Philis Alvic’s second of three sons.While growing up, my parents introduced me to many forms of arts and crafts.  Even though my career took me in a different direction, I continued to enjoy building things. My medium of choice is wood.  I particularly enjoy making functional pieces as illustrated with the pieces displayed in this show.

Philis' daughter-in-law: Tonya Vance (wet felted fiber)

Artist Bio:

Tonya Vance became Philis Alvic’s daughter-in-law when she married Philis’ middle son, Ezra Schroeder. Tonya is a multi-media artist living in Lexington, KY. She received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Murray State University in Murray, KY with an emphasis in printmaking. Tonya creates abstract paintings, prints, and fiber art inspired by nature, biology, geometry, and family. She is a member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, the Fiber Guild of Lexington, and Bluegrass Printmakers. 

Artist Statement:

To me, art has always been very personal, a way to communicate an impression or a feeling with others. I am inspired by relationships between people and things, like family, nature, and biology. When working with fiber, I feel a connection with the natural world and fiber’s use in domestic history. The work in this exhibit includes collaborative pieces created with other family members. I hope that people will find something to connect with in each piece.

Philis' grandchildren:

Adam Schroeder (digital installation)

Artist Bio:

Adam is Philis Alvic’s grandson and the son of Ezra Schroeder and Tonya Vance. Adam received a degree in Digital Simulation for Gaming Technology from Shawnee State University. He specializes in video game development with custom hardware to work alongside them. He is a member of the gaming cooperative RunJumpDev. He has exhibited multiple times within Lexington as well as at MAGFest in Washington DC, Pixelpop in St Louis, and Bit Bash in Chicago. He wants the person reading this to know that they're looking good today.

Zoe Schroeder (fiber)

Artist Bio:

Zoe is Philis Alvic’s granddaughter and Ezra and Tonya’s daughter. Zoe has always been creative and would often spend time in her grandmother’s weaving studio as a child which fostered a life-long love of fiber art. Zoe graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in horticulture, which lets her create and grow living things while also being useful. She continues to create fiber art, including weaving, needle felting, and embroidery.

Ian Schroeder (photography)

Artist Bio:

Ian is Philis’ youngest grandchild, and lives in Pacific Grove, California. Ian is a Senior in high school. While he always enjoyed photography, Ian discovered his passion for it recently. He is currently taking photography classes at school and at the local community college. Ian is still trying to define his artistic style and interests, and takes photos of urban landscapes, nature, and documents his life as a teenager in coastal California. He is intrigued by fashion and is working on developing his skills in a studio setting. Ian plans to go to college for a degree in Photography.

Artist Statement:

I am trying to explore a sense of loneliness in these pieces. I use empty space to make each subject feel small and detached. I want to represent what it was like living so far away from the rest of the family. I purposefully made each subject small to create a feeling of emptiness and detachment. Part of my photographic sense is adding a level of mystery to my photos. I want the negative space in my photos to make my audience ask questions.