Meagan Smith (b.1992)
Passing Through, 2021
Materials: Cotton and synthetic thread, hand-woven on digital jacquard loom, hand-dyed painted warp, 46.5” x 40.5”
Location at Summa Health: Juve Family Behavioral Health Pavilion, Second Floor, South Waiting Room, West Wall
About the Art
In Passing Through, Meagan Smith creates a dynamic interplay of color and movement through the precision of digital weaving. Deep crimson, muted green, and glowing yellow hues weave together, shifting and layering across the composition in undulating ribbons of color. These bands seem to float, intertwining with a central panel that appears suspended in space, all while receding into the background’s subtle wave-like patterns. The mechanics of weaving itself, where the weft passes over and under the warp, naturally disrupt any illusion of continuous line, yet the forms maintain a rhythmic, flowing quality.
Smith’s work draws inspiration from the physicality of movement, particularly the fluidity of swimming, a discipline she pursued competitively for years. She connects the repetitive, structured motions of swimming with the process of weaving, both relying on rhythm, precision, and immersion in their respective elements. The title Passing Through refers not only to the weaving process but also to the experience of movement itself, be it through water, fabric, or time.
A key feature of this piece is Smith’s use of a digital jacquard loom, an advanced textile technology that allows intricate designs to be woven directly from digital compositions. Before weaving, she hand-paints sections of the warp threads, introducing subtle, intentional color transitions that add depth and luminosity. The result is both soothing and captivating: the crimson and yellow hues glow against the dominant green tones, evoking an organic, almost liquid sensation, perhaps recalling drifting seaweed or light filtering through water.
About the Artist
Meagan Smith first came to Ohio to swim for the University of Akron, where she earned a B.F.A. in drawing and painting. She later expanded her practice to include ceramics and fiber arts, training at Cleveland’s Praxis Fiber Workshop before pursuing her M.F.A. at Kent State University under the guidance of internationally recognized fiber artist Janice Lessman-Moss. Her studies included travel to Japan to explore natural pattern formation at Studio Kura, as well as multiple residencies in Norway focused on digital weaving.
Now an interdisciplinary artist and educator, Smith merges craft, design, and technology, using digital jacquard looms to push the boundaries of contemporary textile art. She currently teaches in the Foundations Program at the Cleveland Institute of Art and has received recognition from the Fiber Art Guild and the National Alpaca Design Competition, among others.
Where You Can See More of This Artist’s Work
Smith’s work has been exhibited in Ohio, Louisville (KY), and internationally. She was recently featured in Canvas, an online arts publication, and profiled in the Collective Arts Network Journal, which explored her ongoing fascination with motion and materiality. More of her work can be found through the Cleveland Institute of Art and in reports from the Digital Weaving Norway residency program.