Entrepreneur & Artist

Judy Gula, owner of Artistic Artifacts, is a fiber and mixed media artist whose goal is to inspire others to create and find joy in the process. Judy studied fashion design and business marketing at Radford University, and during her own textile journey over the years, has explored many techniques and mediums which she includes in her own art as well as sharing that knowledge with others.

Judy grew up in a family owned business that sold and manufactured parts for European automobiles. Her entrepreneurial spirit, born during this hands on, real-world education, prepared her for the business side of running Artistic Artifacts which includes the shop in Alexandria, VA along with an online store. What started as vintage finds, has grown into a large and varied inventory which reflects Judy's own interests including artisan fabrics and crafts from around the world, art supplies, and now BERNINA sewing machines.

When she and her husband acquired Batik Tambal, Judy developed a love for Indonesian batiks which she evolved into her book "Colorful Batik Panel Quilts: 28 Quilting & Embroidery Inspirations from Around the World". In addition to her publication, Judy shares her passion with weekly live demonstrations which can be viewed on the Artistic Artifacts Facebook & YouTube channel. She can also be found teaching at the shop and groups or leading mixed media tours around the world!

Judy provides support to the mixed media and fiber arts community in many ways including participating as a sponsor for Sacred Threads Quilts, Studio Art Quilt Associates Textile Talks, and the Quilters' Alliance 'Quilters Take Manhattan" events. Her work has been exhibited at Sacred Threads, Del Ray Artisans Gallery, the Torpedo Factory, and part of several fiber art challenges.

Judy Gula portrait by Ann Maas of Ann Maas Photography.