A Special Reminder...

That behind all the technology and activity, there are real people.  This showed up recently in my blog feed, from SAQA UK/Europe and the Middle East.  

We (your SAQA WC Co-Reps) might not have met all of you...but we want to get to know you...to connect with you...to learn about your life and art...and to miss you if you leave us.

Please...if you are unwell...or even if you're not...let your families know to which communities you belong, so that they can communicate with those communities if something happens to you...whatever or whenever that may be...

Oftentimes, SAQA (Western Canada and beyond) may seem like a very large community...but it is a community, and there are relationships...

(L) Hsin-Chen Lin (Taiwan),
Margaret Blank (SAQA WC - AB)

For example, I met Hsin-Chen Lin (Taiwan) in Portland in May.  Recently there was a major typhoon there...and I was able to connect and find out she and her loved ones were fine -- though she admitted it was indeed a scary time!

And on that note, thank you to the 15 members -- approximately 16% of the WC members -- in addition to us, the Co-Reps -- who took the time to answer the survey sent out in June.  Coleen has collected the responses, and we are taking a good look at them.  Stay tuned for the results!

While you wait...those of you who contributed to "what I'd like to see [in the Region]..."  give some thought to your role in making your vision(s) come to pass.  If you want it to happen, you will have to contribute!  :-)

Welcome to our newest members:

• Joan Backus, Victoria, B.C.;
• Darlene Bayley, Edmonton, AB;
• Jane Bryttan, Vancouver, B.C.;
• Leslie Comassar, Gabriola Island, B.C.;
• Theresa Duncan, Calgary, AB; 
• Mary Wilton, Camrose, AB;

If I've missed anyone, I apologize.  Please contact me at margblank@xplornet.ca and I will give you a "shout out"!

Up-coming blog posts (in no particular order of appearance):

• Fiberlandia Conference: Local Artist Panel;
• Fiberlandia Conference: Student Artist Panel;
• Constructing a Studio: a visit with B.C. member Lesley Turner;
• SAQA Benefit Auction 2015...

And...maybe a tour of "Fibre Art Destination 2015 - Weyburn, SK"...courtesy of Co-Rep Val Wilson (MB/SK).

Note: Val tried to gather a group from SK to meet in Weyburn...and each person who expressed interest cancelled at the last minute.  

Now...we all know and acknowledge that, from time to time, "life gets in the way"...but your three (count 'em) Co-Reps cannot cover all of the geographical area that is Western Canada (approximately 29% of Canada's entire land mass) face-to-face.   It's tough to meet in person, yet that's a clear yearning for most of our membership.  If you make a commitment to meet in a central location in your area, when the Co-Rep has made an effort to be there (it's a 5-hour drive from Winnipeg, MB to Weyburn, SK), please do your best to honour your commitment.  

And thank you for your support!