Tea Okropiridze was born in Tbilisi, Georgia. In 1994 she received Associate Degree in Art and Sculpture from Tbilisi Jacob Nikoladze Arts College. In 2002, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) in Artistic weaving/tapestry from the State Institute of Culture, Department of Fine & Applied Art – Tbilisi, Georgia.

In 2002, she moved to the USA and continued her artistic career in Northern Virginia. Since 2004, she and her husband, sculptor George Tkabladze have been co-owners of a custom high-end furniture company and studio called Art Woodstone Studio, located in Virginia.
Simultaneously, she works as a Tapestry and Art instructor at Smithsonian Studio Art Program, Washington DC; The Art league School, Alexandria, VA and US Art Education Center, Chantilly, VA
Tea has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions. Some of the most recent exhibitions include:
- 2022 – International Textile Art Biennial 2022 – Kunststichting Perspektief vzw – Haacht, Belgium
- 2022 – DC Art Now 2022 – DC Commission on the Arts, Washington DC, USA
- 2022 – Chianciano Art Biennial 2022, Museo d’Arte Chianciano, Italy
- 2022 – The 12th from Lausanne to Beijing International Fiber Art Biennial, Yunnan Museum, China
- 2022 – Scythia – The 14th international Biennial Contemporary Textile and Fiber Art – Online – Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine.
- 2022 – Heallreaf 4 – International Contemporary tapestry exhibition, UK
- 2021 – London Art Biennale 2021 Chelsea Old Town Hall – London UK
- 2021 – 11th ‘From Lausanne to Beijing ‘ International Fiber Art Biennale – China
- 2020 – 5th international Triennial of Textile Art “TexpoART” – “Theodor Pallady” Art Gallery – Iași, Romania
- 2020/2019 – 2019 Artists at work – Smithsonian Museum, S. Dillon Ripley Center, Washington DC
Visit this page to see any upcoming events.
For more information, see below.
EDUCATION:
1997 – 2002 Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) in Artistic weaving/tapestry at Department of Fine & Applied Art, State Institute of Culture, Tbilisi, Georgia.
1989 – 1994 Degree in Sculpture. Tbilisi I. Nikoladze Arts College, Georgia.
1986 – 1989 Department of Fine Arts, Tbilisi Art Lyceum. Tbilisi, Georgia.
EXHIBITIONS:
2023 – Fantastic Fibers 2023 – International juried exhibition of Fiber Arts, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY, USA
2023 – International Fine Art Exhibit “ScentS Of It All” by ART4US coop – Gallery B – Bethesda, MD, USA
2022 – International Textile Art Biennial 2022 – Kunststichting Perspektief vzw – Haacht, Belgium
2022 – DC Art Now 2022 – DC Commission on the Arts, Washington DC, USA
2022 – Chianciano Art Biennial 2022, Museo d’Arte Chianciano, Italy
2022 – The 12th from Lausanne to Beijing International Fiber Art Biennial, Yunnan Museum, China
2022 – Symphony of the Mountains – Mixed Media Exhibition of Fiber Arts, Handweavers Guild of America – Knoxville Convention Center – Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
2022 – Threaded – fine art Fiber collection – virtual/ Envision Arts
2022 – Scythia – The 14th international Biennial Contemporary Textile and Fiber Art – Online – Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine.
2022 – Heallreaf 4 – International Contemporary tapestry exhibition, UK
1. Farfield Mill, Sedbergh, UK
2. Oxmarket Contemporary, Chichester, UK
3 .RBSA, Birmingham, UK
2022 – Fantastic Fibers 2022 – Yeiser Art Center – Paducah KY, USA
2022 – ArtFields 2022 – Lake City SC, USA
2022 – Material III – Fiber Art Exhibition – D’Art Center Norfolk, VA, USA
2021 – Biafarin Awards 2021 – Finalists online exhibition
2021/2022 International Biennial PAPER FIBER ART – Exhibition “Change” – National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, Caotun Taiwan
2021 – Solo Exhibition at The McLean Textile Gallery – Mclean, VA USA
2021 – Fall Salon – Target Gallery – Alexandria, VA
2021 – Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries – Australian Tapestry Workshop, Melbourne, Australia
2021 – Art Optimism – The Athenaeum Gallery, Alexandria, VA USA
2021 – Beauty Will Save the World by Art4Us – Arts Club of Washington, Washington, DC USA
2021 – Corporate Connections 2021 – Maryland Federation of Art – Online at MFA Curve Gallery USA
2021 – London Art Biennale 2021 Chelsea Old Town Hall – London UK
2021 – “Scythia” The 10th International Biennial of Mini Textile Art – Ivano-Frankivs’k, Ukraine
2021 – Week for Women Artists 2021 – Virtual, Georgia
2021 – Creative Crafts Council Biennial 2021 – Strathmore Mansion, Rockville, MD
2021 – No boundaries – The Virginia Quilt Museum – Harrisonburg, VA
2021 – Fantastic Fibers 2021 – Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY
2021 – Hold me Close – TFA Mosaic, – Fairfax VA
2021 – 11th ‘From Lausanne to Beijing ‘ International Fiber Art Biennale – China
2020 – 5th international Triennial of Textile Art “TexpoART” – “Theodor Pallady” Art Gallery – Iași, Romania
2019/2020 2019 Artists at work – Smithsonian Museum, S. Dillon Ripley Center, Washington DC
2020 – Torpedo Factory Artists Association Newly Juried Artists exhibition – TFA @ Mosaic, Fairfax, VA
2020 – Material II – A National juried fiber art exhibition – d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA
2020 – Corporate Connections 2020 – MFA, Maryland Federation of Art, MD
2020 – Fiber III, A National juried Show -LibertyTown Arts Workshop, Fredericksburg, VA
2020/2021 – Small Expressions 2020 touring exhibition – Handweavers Guild of America, Inc, USA
1. Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, Lincoln, NE
2. Brinton Museum, Big Horn, Wyoming
2020 – Rendition-2020 – Small format tapestry exhibition. American Tapestry Alliance
2019 – Winternational- 8th Annual Embassy Showcase – World Trade Center, Washington, DC
2019 – Experience Georgian Culture – Embassy of Georgia – Washington DC
2019 – Finalist of 2019 Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries – Australian tapestry workshop, Melbourne, Australia
2019 – Experience Georgian Culture – Embassy of Georgia – Washington DC
2018 – Four Seasons – Gallery B, Bethesda MD
2018 – The Biggest Little Tapestries in the World!: 12th international, small format tapestry exhibition – Reno, NV, USA
2018 – Georgia Heritage Days – World Bank, Washington DC, USA
2017 – 6th International Triennial of Tapestry “Novi Sad 2017” – Studio “M”, Radio Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
2017 – 47th Annual Labor Day Art Exhibition – The Park View Artist Award 2017. Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo, MD
2017 – Focus on Fiber – Park View Gallery, Glen Echo Park, MD
2017 – The Creative Crafts Council 31st Biennial Exhibition – Strathmore Mansion, Bethesda, MD
2017 – Experience Georgian Culture – Embassy of Georgia in Washington DC
2017– International Exhibition of Contemporary Arts – EGOS XIII EDITION – Oud Sint- Jan Museum, Sala Mozart, Brugge, Belgum
2016 – 9th International Fiber Art Biennale – From Lausanne to Beijing. Guan Shan Yue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China.
2016 – Fiber National 2016 – Workhouse art Center, Lorton VA
2016 – Celebrating the Year of Georgian Heritage in the USA – Georgian Center in DC – Embassy of Georgia, Washington DC
2016 – Threads: A Sampling of the Fiber Arts – Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Dowell, MD
2015 – Finalist of 2015 Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries – Australian tapestry workshop, Melbourne, Australia
2015 – Coastal FiberArts 2015. Astoria Visual Arts – Heritage Museum, Astoria, OR. USA
2015 – Small Tapestry International 4: Honoring Tradition, Inspiring Innovation. American Tapestry Alliance, USA
2015 – National Fiber Directions Exhibition 2015. The Wichita center for the Arts, Wichita, KS, USA
2015 – Stories of the Sea. Juried Tapestry Exhibition, Florida Maritime Museum, Cortez, FL
2014 – 3 men show – Gallery B, Bethesda MD, USA
2014 – “Mélange” Artspace 109, Alexandria, VA, USA
2015, 2014, 2013 – Student and Faculty show. The Art League Gallery. Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria, VA, USA
2013 – All-Media show – Best in Show winner – Juried by Joann Moser, The Art League Gallery, Alexandria, VA, USA
2013 – Abstraction at its Best – juried show – Capitol Arts Network, Rockville, MD USA
2013 – Art in City Hall – juried show, Alexandria City Hall, VA, USA
2007 – 9×10 WPA/Corcoran members exhibition – William W. Parker (WWP) Gallery, Washington DC
2007 – Juried Exhibition (Solo Sow) Arts Club of Washington, Washington DC. USA
2006 – Arts Council @ GRACE. The Arts Council of Fairfax Annual Juried All Media Exhibition. Greater Reston Art Center – GRACE. Reston VA
2006 – Mud, Sand and Straw: Juried Show of Ceramics, Glass, Fiber & Wood. Touchstone Gallery, Washington DC
2006- Abstract This, Juried Exhibition Del Ray Artisans Gallery – Nicholas A. Colasanto Center. Alexandria VA
2006 – As a Finalist of Niche award. Category Fiber-Handwoven. Exhibition at Philadelphia Buyers market of American craft. Pennsylvania Convention Center PA.
2006 – Spotlight 2006 American Craft Council, Southeast Region Annual Juried Exhibition. Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft. Louisville, KY.
2005 – 2006 – International Small Works Competition. International Visions Art Gallery Washington DC.
2005 – 2006 – International Juried exhibition Beyond Fibers: New Forms. Eleanor Bliss Center for the Arts Depot Gallery, Steamboat Springs, CO
2005 – Juried Biennale “Fiber celebrated 2005 – Intermountain Weavers Conference” at – Durango Arts Center, Durango, CO,
2005 – American Craft Council, Southeast Region Annual Juried Exhibition “Spotlight 2005”- The Center for Craft, creativity and design. Hendersonville, NC. USA
2002 – Fall Exhibition. Georgian National Picture Gallery. Tbilisi. Georgia
2001 – Annual Spring Exhibition. Georgian National Picture Gallery. Tbilisi. Georgia
2001, 1998, 1997 – Christmas Exhibition. International Art Center. Tbilisi, Georgia
2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 – Annual Students’ Exhibition. Tbilisi State Institute of Culture. Tbilisi, Georgia.
2000 – International Christmas Exhibition. Georgian National Picture Gallery, Tbilisi, Georgia
2000 – Frankfurt Gift – Fear. Gorman.
2000, 1999 – Milan Christmas Exhibition – Fear. Gorman.
1999 – Annual Autumn Exhibition. Georgian National Picture Gallery. Tbilisi. Georgia
1998 – First summit of hand Crafts makers (Latin America, Europe) Saragossa. Spain.
AWARDS:
2023 – District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities – 2023 Art Bank Program grant for acquisition of two artworks: “Window to…” and “Mirage”
2022 – Third Place For artwork Landscape” at the Symphony of the Mountains-Mixed Media Exhibition of Fiber Arts, Handweavers Guild of America – Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
2021 – Second place winner – “No Bondaries” exhibition, for the artwork “Dream”— The Virginia Quilt Museum – Harrisonburg, VA USA
2021 – Finalist of Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries – Australian Tapestry Workshop, Melbourne, Australia
2021 – Finalist of Corporate Connections 2021 – Maryland Federation of Art, USA
2021 – Second place – “No Boundaries” exhibition, for the artwork “Dream”— The Virginia Quilt Museum – Harrisonburg, VA USA
2020 – Honorable Mention for the artwork “Rendition” – Fiber III – LibertyTown Arts Workshop, Fredericksburg, VA USA
2020 – Finalist of Corporate Connections 2020 – MFA, Maryland Federation of Art, MD
2019 – Finalist of 2019 Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries – Australian tapestry workshop, Melbourne, Australia
2016 – Award of Excellence at 9th International Fiber Art Biennale – From Lausanne to Beijing. Guan Shan Yue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
2015– Finalist of 2015 Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries – Australian tapestry workshop, Melbourne, Australia
2013 – Winner of the Shayna Heisman Simkin Best in Show Award for the work “Connection” awarded by Juror Joann Moser at All Media show -The Art League Gallery, Alexandria, VA
2006 – Semi-finalists, Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, Bethesda MD. USA
2005-2006 – Finalist of Niche Award. Category Fiber-Handwoven for the artwork “Shadow”
WORKING EXPERIENCE
2003 – Present – Artist/Designer at Art Woodstone Studio, Manassas, VA
2018 – Present Tapestry Weaving Instructor at Smithsonian Associates – Studio Art Program – Washington DC
2018 – Present – Art instructor, at US Art Center – Chantilly VA
2015 – Present – Tapestry Weaving Instructor at Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture – MD
2012 – Present – Tapestry weaving teacher at The art League School at the Torpedo Factory Art Center Alexandria, VA
2019 – 2020 -Tapestry Weaving Instructor Servicesource (ArlingtonWeaves, Etc) – Arlington, VA
2018 – Art Teacher at Young Rembrandts of Fairfax and Loudon counties, VA
2013 – 2018 – Art teacher at Academy of Georgian Heritage, Rockville, MD
2013 – 2014 – Tapestry weaving teacher at Workhouse Art Center, Lorton, VA
2000 – 2002 Assistant Manager/designer of Stichting Caucasus Foundation /IBCCP/
2002 Editor and designer of “CMAN-INFO newsletter”.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Potomac Fiber Art Guild
Tapestry Weavers West
Handweavers Guild of America
Torpedo Factory Artists Association
Art League Gallery
American Tapestry Alliance
Fiber Art Network
Maryland Federation of Art
Georgian Artists Union
Caucasian Arts Managers Network /CAMN/
CATALOGS, PUBLICATIONS & EVENTS
2022 – Heallreaf 4 – International Contemporary tapestry exhibition, UK
2021 – Biafarin Awards 2021 – Finalists online exhibition
2021/2022 International Biennial PAPER FIBER ART 2021/22 – Exhibition “Change” Caotun, Taiwan
2021– Fiber Artist Tea Okropiridze Solo Exhibition – USA
2021 – Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries, Melbourne, Australia
2021 – Beauty Will Save the World coordinated by Art4Us – Art Club of Washington, Washington, DC
2021 – Corporate Connections 2021 – Maryland Federation of Art –
2021 – London Art Biennale 2021 – Chelsea Old Town Hall – London UK
2021 – “Scythia” The 10th International Biennial Exhibition of Mini Textile Art – Ivano-Frankivs’k, Ukraine
2021 – Fantastic Fibers 2021 – Paducah, KY
2021 – Week for Women Artists 2021 – Virtual, Georgia
2021 – Creative Crafts Council Biennial 2021 – Rockville, MD
2021 – Élan Magazine “Dimensionality” – March 2021 – PG.18
2020 – 5th international Triennial of Textile Art “TexpoART” -Iași, Romania
2020 – Corporate Connections 2020 – MFA, Maryland Federation of Art, MD
2020 – Renditions 2020: Small Format tapestry Exhibition – American Tapestry Alliance
2019 – 2019 Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries – Australian tapestry workshop, Melbourne, Australia
2017 – 6th International Triennial of Tapestry “Novi Sad 2017” – Studio “M”, Radio Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
2016 – From Lausanne to Beijing 9th International Fiber Art Biennale – Guan Shan Yue Art Museum, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
2015 – 2015 Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries – Australian tapestry workshop, Melbourne, Australia
2015 – Small Tapestry International 4: Honoring Tradition, Inspiring Innovation. American Tapestry Alliance
2015 – Stories of the Sea. Juried Tapestry Exhibition, Florida Maritime Museum, Cortez, FL
2015 – Fiber Art Now magazine – “On View PRISM” – Spring 2015
2007 – Solo Show Arts Club of Washington. Washington DC
2006 – Arts Council @ GRACE. The Arts Council of Fairfax Annual Juried All Media Exhibition. Greater Reston Art Center – GRACE. Reston VA. USA
2006 – Alexandria Gazette Packet Vol. CCXXII, NO 25. June 22, 2006 Abstract Thinking.
2006 – Niche magazine. Winter 2006
2006 – Spotlight 2006. American Craft Council, Juried Exhibition. Louisville, KY, USA
2005– “Fiber celebrated 2005 – Durango Art Center, Durango, CO, USA
2005 – American craft Council Southeast Region Annual Juried Exhibition “Spotlight 2005”- Hendersonville, NC. USA
2005 – Élan Magazine. April 2005