“My passion for weaving started while attending  California State Teachers College,( now California University of Pennsylvania) Initially, I wanted to be a teacher. I took a fiber class as an elective and it ended up being a life altering change. I always had the heart of an artist and I knew that I wanted to work for myself like many members of my family. In the end,  art and education seemed to be my calling. That was a decision made 40 years ago and I haven't looked back.”

LaVerne Kemp

Today, LaVerne’s award winning textiles have become iconic in Pittsburgh’s fiber arts community.  She’s known as an amazingly talented artist  with a long history of quality art making. Her powerful artwork  draws the viewer in through her adventurous use of color, pattern, motion and meaning. Over the years, LaVerne’s work has evolved from incredible  woven clothing to include jewelry, greeting cards,  wall hanging, sculptural dolls and home goods.

She explores and incorporates on and off loom weaving, hand made felt, traditional and Japanese Shibori dying techniques and beading to enhance her work.

Her work has been exhibited extensively across the US and featured multiple times in the Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition  and Exhibition in Dallas and has multiple awards from The African American Art Exhibition at Actors Theater in Louisville.

Recently LaVerne participated in the Smithsonian Museums "Craft Optimism" and  "Future Vision" at the Carnegie Museum of Art for Women of Visions  40 year anniversary
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