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TFAM is an 'affiliate' member of SDA; Surface Design Association
TFAM is an 'affiliate' member of SAQA; what does this mean for TFAM members?
SDA
  • Our affiliate membership means that we have access to 15+ years of their quarterly journal, which is full of essays, articles and interviews by and about contemporary fibre artists.
  • Our membership also includes a member discount on workshops, exhibit entries and conference fees.
Surface Design Association’s mission is to promote awareness and appreciation of fibre art and design through publications, exhibitions, and events.
  • In terms of accessing discounts for workshops, exhibitions, etc, you can select the SDA member prices where applicable. No special code is needed. They check this information manually. If someone from our group comes up as a non-member, we just need to let them know the affiliation is TFAM. 
What is surface design anyway and does my work fit? Surface design can be defined as the colouring, patterning, and structuring of fibre and fabric. It is wide-ranging and encompasses paper-making, dyeing, sculpture, stitching, knitting, weaving, embellishing, collage, and so much more. As an organization, we embrace fibre and textiles in the broadest terms including performance, social practice, and sound-based works. Our community encompasses the breadth and depth of contemporary artists and designers working with or inspired by fibre art and/or textile-based materials, methods, and techniques.
Since its founding by a group of artists in 1977, SDA has been a leader in the field of fibre arts, providing a platform for critical dialogue, innovation, learning, and mentorship. The SDA community is expansive, from makers and artists to academics and enthusiasts.
Through its quarterly publication, the Surface Design Journal, exhibitions, and events, SDA:
  • Provides opportunities for learning and meaningful collaboration,
  • Mentors and supports emerging and established artists,
  • Informs members about the latest developments in the field of fibe arts,
  • Recognizes the accomplishments of members,
  • Encourages critical dialogue about fibre art,
  • Inspires new directions in fibre and textiles,
  • Raises the visibility of fibre and textile media in the contemporary art world.
SAQA
  • Everyone in TFAM shares the same SAQA login (has been emailed to all members).
  • When in the SAQA account, please do not change any of the account settings.  If purchasing anything, only change the shipping address, don’t change the main address of the organization.
  • The benefits to affiliate members are listed here at https://www.saqa.com/join-donate/affiliates. 
  • Each TFAM member will have access to the digital journal, webinars and library.
  • TFAM is registered as part of the SAQA Western Canada group and secondary group is Central Canada.  Members can participate in either or both of these area meetings.
TFAM members cannot:
  • join any exhibitions.
  • join the SAQA Members Only Facebook page
  • register for the SAQA Conference  
  • SAQA sends at least two weekly emails and these will be forwarded to TFAM members.
  • All SAQA related email will come from [email protected]. (you may want to add that email address to your contacts to prevent it going into 'junk') If you do not wish to see these email, you can just delete them or you can block/filter that email address.
  • Please address any SAQA related questions to [email protected].
  • TFAM can create more visibility for TFAM events by promoting them on the SAQA website. 
  • TFAM members cannot:
    • join any exhibitions.
    • join the SAQA Members Only Facebook page
    • register for the SAQA Conference