mission

[a statement in progress]

Material Encounters seeks to deepen our understanding of material, the relationship between material and mind, and the thoughtful use of material in art, craft, and industry. We are building a community of artists, creatives, architects, designers, scholars, philosophers, craftspeople, environmentalists, makers, curators, mavericks, and the curious––everyone who works and plays with material. Our emphasis is on the transformative dialogues between material, hand, and mind, regenerative and innovative material, and local ecosystems. We seek to inspire and empower our community, contribute to our cultural landscape, and engage in meaningful social and creative initiatives.

We cultivate critical dialogue by hosting events that highlight research, creation, and exhibition, and by facilitating access to the breadth of material knowledge and resources.

We write these words from the ancestral, traditional, and unceded lands of the Gabrieleno and Tongva peoples. Sometimes when we visit family we write from Chumash land.

  • Who we are:

  • Iona Green

    ARTIST, CONTENT CURATOR, on hiatus

    Iona is a practicing artist and researcher. Much of her work centers around themes of landscape, place, and memory. Iona is a curious learner, joyful gardener and multidisciplinary creative. Originally from New York’s Hudson Valley, Iona is currently studying at the Leith School of Art in Edinburgh, Scotland. Artist website.

  • Lesley Roberts

    CULTURAL PRODUCER, RESEARCHER, ART ENTREPRENEUR

    Lesley works and plays in the spaces between art, design, and social practice. She is a strategist, community builder, and social entrepreneur. Lesley founded Oceanparkstudio, a marketing consultancy; is the co-founder and former Executive Director of Textile Arts | Los Angeles; and is the lead for the So Cal chapter of Fibershed.

  • Thank you!

    That Material Encounters has blossomed at all is a product (in part) of my own agency and deep need to create a meaningful life; and to share these instincts with similarly curious souls.

    In the way of “What you seek is seeking you,” I met artist and researcher Iona Green, who was instrumental in co-creating the Material Ecology research we compiled for Textile Arts LA (and subsequently transplanted here to seed this project).

    She is a valuable collaborator and sounding board; has brought numerous books, ideas, and resources to my attention; and her good cheer and shared work ethic have been a welcome part of coaxing this new space into fruition.