When Like Minds Gather

Lower Mainland, B.C. SAQA POD members - November 14, 2018 meeting

This year is winding down...but it's been a great one for members all across the Region.  We've been creative, we've taken in workshops and seminars, we've travelled to shows, and we've stretched ourselves to enter juried exhibits through SAQA and other avenues.

We've met together when and where we can -- through SAQA and the Fibre Art Network, for example -- and we've given back to both of these organizations, as well as to the Social Justice Sewing Academy (U.S.) and the #UDHR Project.

We've been thrilled when work sold and when we've been honoured with prizes at Quilt Canada and that renowned festival known simply as "Houston".

The photo above was shared by Judy Leslie -- the SAQA POD from the Lower Mainland, B.C. at their year-end 2018 meeting last month.  That day they welcomed a member from Vancouver Island and one from Washington State.

Their smiling faces say it all -- they've gathered around a common interest, with creative ideas to share and discuss, and a good time was obviously had by all.

Though SAQA is a far-flung organization, with over 3,000 members globally who rarely meet each other in person, when we do manage to get together, in no time at all we've connected over our mutual love for art, the medium of textiles and the excitement of creativity.

Here's to many more such gatherings -- large and small, across the region, across the country (Toronto 2020 will be here before we know it!!) and as close as our own back yards.

Best wishes to all the members of SAQA Western Canada 

for a Joyous Holiday Season 

and 

a Healthy, Happy and Creative New Year!

December Invitations

Hello from snowy Central Alberta!  It's December -- already!

Though many of you may be pre-occupied with holiday preparations, here's hoping you are still making time for art -- whether this be working in your studio, learning a new technique or getting out to art markets and exhibitions.

Here are two invitations to consider -- and for the first, you don't even have to leave home!

Val Wilson of Manitoba has created a new Facebook group for those who want to learn more about how she creates her famous fabric portraits -- and those who want to learn to make their own.

You can join the group by going to THIS LINK on Facebook (yes, you have to be part of the Facebook community to do this!)

As an added bonus, those who join the Facebook group can access a free pdf file: "3 Steps Towards Creating a Successful Realistic Portrait in Fabric"!

You can join any time, so don't fuss if you're up to your eyeballs in Holiday Prep and can't do so right now. If this is a technique you've always wanted to try, click on the link, join the group and have some fun learning from Val!

The second invitation is from Mary Wilton and Margaret Blank. Their successful exhibit, "Inspired by Scotland", which was part of the Camrose Art Walk this summer, has been up-dated -- new pieces added! -- and will be reprised at the Lacombe Memorial Centre in the foyer gallery, from the afternoon of December 19 through January 30, 2019.

Now entitled Shamrock & Thistle: Textile Art Inspired by Ireland and Scotland, there are nineteen pieces that were inspired by their joint trip to Scotland in September 2017, and by Mary's earlier travels in Ireland. All are available for purchase, with a percentage going to support the Lacombe Arts Foundation.

Mary and Margaret are thrilled that the City of Lacombe is making this exhibit available to the community and surrounding area, and hope that if you're out that way you'll drop by to take it in. NOTE: The "LMC" is open daily except Sundays and statutory holidays (Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year's Day).

Colours of the Moor - (C) Mary Wilton - 2018

Loch View: On the Way to Eilean Donan
(C) Margaret Blank - 2018