Artist Biography
Darcy Hunter is a contemporary quilt artist based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. She transforms fabric and thread into expressive landscape wall hangings, using her sewing machine as a paintbrush to craft intricate, vibrant compositions. Drawing inspiration from her profound love of the natural world and her background in Biological Sciences, her representational fiber artworks capture the vivid colours, dynamic movement, and unique sense of place that define her surroundings. Committed to environmental sustainability, Darcy incorporates upcycled textiles into her creative process, infusing each piece with added meaning.
Recently, Darcy received an Artist in Schools grant in collaboration with Royal Road Elementary School, titled Interconnectedness. This project explores the human connection to the natural environment from the perspective of the Wabanaki peoples, fostering a deeper understanding among students. In addition, she has completed three other New Brunswick-based grants. The first, a Creation Grant through ArtsNB titled Beautiful New Brunswick, resulted in a series of large art quilts that celebrate the natural splendor of her home province. Alongside this initiative, Darcy collaborated with elementary students at Nashwaak Valley School through an Arts Smarts grant to share her passion and co-create a large textile piece for the school community—a project she later replicated with students at Barker’s Point Elementary.
A juried member of Craft NB and Regional Co-Representative for Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA)—a dynamic network of over 3,700 fiber artists worldwide—Darcy is recognized for her contributions to the art form. Her successful practice has led to artist residencies with the Fredericton Arts Alliance (2023) and the City of Fredericton (2020, 2021, 2024), as well as exhibitions at numerous Canadian venues. Her work is also featured in private collections across North America.
In addition to her art practice, Darcy is a part-time elementary school teacher. Her passion for education extends into the art community through online classes, speaking engagements, and the publication of numerous articles in Art Quilting Studio Magazine and other esteemed publications. Committed to lifelong learning, she continually refines her techniques and expands her creative process, ensuring that her work evolves with each new exploration.
Darcy Hunter’s art is a vibrant testament to the beauty of nature and the transformative power of textile creativity, inviting viewers to experience the world through her uniquely crafted perspectives.
*Photo by Emily Rioux of CraftNB
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Artist Statement
Nature moves me; it ignites an indescribable spark within my soul. Armed with my camera, I venture into the natural world to capture moments that define the ever-changing beauty of the landscape. Whether it’s the sunlight dancing through the trees, a bird poised regally on a high branch, or the ocean waves crashing powerfully onto the shore, each encounter stirs my artistic spirit. Even familiar places, revisited time and again, reveal fresh emotions and perspectives that I feel compelled to capture.
I am captivated by the local scenery and its continual transformation in response to the elements. Living in a picturesque area of New Brunswick, I am fortunate to have forest trails and the gentle flow of the Saint John (Wolastoq) River right at my doorstep, providing endless inspiration for my work.
I use these snapshots as a guide to translate my vision into textile form. In my practice, I essentially “paint” with fabric, thread, and an eclectic mix of upcycled and contemporary textiles. I manipulate fibers to create intricate textures that echo the forms and shapes found in nature, often incorporating treasures collected during my travels into my pieces. My creative process is both deliberate and labor-intensive; larger art quilts can require upwards of 50 hours to complete. I primarily employ free-motion machine embroidery as my main technique, with careful hand-stitching to add the final, refined touches.
Commissions present a unique artistic challenge that I wholeheartedly embrace. I am honored to contribute to my clients' visions and bring their ideas to life, infusing each piece with a part of my own creative energy. The human connections fostered through these collaborations are invaluable, adding a profound layer of meaning to my work.
In every creation, nature’s dynamic beauty serves as both my muse and my medium, driving me to explore, capture, and reinterpret its myriad expressions through textile art.
*Photo by Emily Rioux of CraftNB
