Trained at Oberlin as both a bel canto singer and teacher, multi-media artist Rebecca Cross has been quilting since 1989. Among her artistic passions are shibori tying, dying and shape-resist techniques, a traditional Japanese art form not unlike a more elaborate form of tie-dye; the earliest historical example of material dyed with a shibori technique dates from the 8th century. Cross’ breathtaking “wall quilts” incorporate the textural, three-dimensional fabric that results from the shibori binding and folding processes and often have an organic, floral look and feel. One of Cross’ works was selected for Quilt National ’09, an important biennial international juried competition held at the Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center in Athens, Ohio (the exhibition runs through September 7). A resident of Oberlin, Cross holds an MFA in textile arts from Kent State University. Cross currently teaches textile arts at Oberlin College and English composition at Kent State University.