Artist Conversation: A Passion for Textiles - Stories from the Cloth
A Passion for Textiles - Stories from the Cloth
Thursday, September 4 | 5:30 - 7:30pm
Reception 5:30pm | Conversation begins at 6:00pm
Complimentary admission
RSVP: info@wachamptonsny.org
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Usibakaiye (Siba) Agbeyegbe, Mary Jane Marcasiano, and Nicky Sandford as they share how textiles have shaped their creative journeys — from West African strip weaving to global design and the costume ateliers of Bridgerton. Moderated by WACH director Wendy Van Deusen, the evening includes a Q&A and reception, offering guests a rare chance to go behind the seams of this vibrant field.
About the artists:
Usibakaiye (Siba) Agbeyegbe – A British and Nigerian-trained healthcare lawyer turned textile artist, Siba is based in Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis. Her work bridges tradition and innovation, transforming ceremonial garments into contemporary apparel, décor, and sculptural forms. Drawing on Yoruba Aso-Oke, Ghanaian Kente, and Malian Bogolanfini, she reimagines the legacy of West African strip weaving for a modern context, ensuring these cultural treasures continue to live and inspire.
Mary Jane Marcasiano – Founder of her own design company in 1977 and recipient of the Cartier, DuPont, Cutty Sark, and Wool Knit Awards, Marcasiano’s career spans fashion, costume, and social impact. She has designed for dance, film, theater, and for Grammy Award-winning artist and UNICEF Ambassador Angélique Kidjo. Her Made with Love Project supports women artisans in Brazil and Africa. Today, she combines her expertise in costume studies, curation, and nonprofit strategy, bringing a global and community-minded lens to textile arts.
Nicky Sandford – A costume designer and senior costume buyer for high-end film and television, Sandford’s credits include Bridgerton, Cinderella, Moonhaven, and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Her work relies on deep knowledge of materials, historical accuracy, and an eye for the unexpected—skills that led to a serendipitous meeting with Siba in a London antique market, where both were hunting for vintage African fabrics.
Olori Asake II (Cherished Queen) by Usibakaiye Agbeyegbe is part of our Infinite Woman II exhibition on view at WACH through September 14.
Mary Jane Marcasiano is a global designer whose work includes collaborations with Grammy award-winning artist and UNICEF Ambassador Angelique Kidjo. Image © Omar Victor Diop
Meet costumer designer and senior costume buyer Nicky Sandford whose credits include Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte. Image © Netflix
Top image, from left: Mary Jane Marcasiano, Usibakaiye (Siba) Agbeyegbe, Nicky Sanford