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The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, presents “Every Fiber of My Being,” featuring abstract fiber art by Charlita Rae Whitehead. The exhibition will be on view in the second-floor Preview Gallery from April 13 to Sept. 8.

The history of making rugs goes back thousands of years and has been an important part of many cultures and traditions around the globe. Through the artist’s lens, the lineage of rug making is both celebrated and reinterpreted, honoring the resilience and ingenuity of generations past.

Whitehead, a self-taught artist, has been working in the tufting medium since 2022. Tufting is an electric version of punch needle embroidery, which uses a long, hollow needle with a beveled point to push yarn through material to form a continuous loop stitch. In addition to tufting, the artist uses a variety of tools and materials to create her dreamy yet expressive tapestries, incorporating traditional punch needle methods, different types of yarn and varying pile heights to create topographical hills and valleys.

In “Every Fiber of My Being,” Whitehead portrays each piece as “a milestone along the path of discovery,” inviting viewers to engage with an age-old art form through innovative techniques and concepts. Delve into the captivating realm of bold color combinations, expressive curves, distinctive shapes and enchanting textures, where the opportunity to become immersed awaits. Every fiber embodies the artist’s evolving experience and every thread tells a story.

About the Artist:

Charlita Rae Whitehead is a self-taught abstract fiber artist based in Ocala, Florida. Being born in Japan and growing up in multiple national and international communities profoundly shaped Whitehead’s world view and aesthetic, igniting her passion for culture, community, inclusivity and liberation. She earned degrees in Health Information Management and Health Services Administration from the College of Central Florida and the University of Central Florida. Whitehead has exhibited at Shapot Art Gallery, Brick City Center for the Arts and the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit