Thing to Wear is a collection of kimono-inspired garments created by students, faculty, staff, and alumni from Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) under the expert guidance of Associate Professor, Bill Morton. Upon returning from Japan in 1983, Bill began teaching in the Fibre Program at AUArts (previously Alberta College of Art + Design). During this time, he also offered kimono construction and painting on silk workshops at Pearson College UWC, Red Deer College and the University of Alberta.

Students enrolled in Bill's courses have had the opportunity to produce kimono, and over the last five years, he has generously offered a kimono construction workshop twice a year to anyone at AUArts with a desire to learn.

Many of the pieces are innovative, incorporating fibre processes such as digital printing, papermaking and eco printing alongside traditional methods like weaving, brush blending, wax resist, indigo, and potassium permanganate dyeing.

Programming includes a gallery tour, technical demonstrations by AUArts Fibre majors, and an artist talk with Bill will provide historical context into panel garments from Japan, and his experience working under master dyer, Kunio Isa.

Bill Morton is a Calgary-based artist and teacher. His work is collected and shown in the United States, Japan, China and Canada. A graduate of the Alberta College of Art (1967), he studied in Japan from 1969 to 1983 including ten years apprenticing with a Master Dyer.

“My process is open-ended and offers limitless opportunities for exploration of colour and pattern. Each piece reflects a particular state of mind,” said Bill when asked about his practice. “The techniques I use take time, patience and require focus as unanticipated variations can occur when material, colour and process coalesce into something new.”