Fibre Art Destination 2015: Weyburn, SK -- Val Wilson Reporting

Co-Rep (MB/SK) Valerie Wilson and a couple of friends took a road trip from Winnipeg, MB to Weyburn, SK recently to see the textile art extravaganza that ran there July and August: "Fibre Art Destination 2015: Weyburn" -- spear-headed by SK SAQA member, Jaynie Himsl.  Here's Val's report...

Myself, and two friends, travelled to Weyburn for the Fibre Art Walk, organized by Jaynie Himsl of Weyburn. It rained the first day we were there, but cleared up by the second day, and we had a marvellous time! We started out by walking along the main street, and going in to the various businesses that were displaying fibre art. A map that we had picked up at the first location guided us, and we knew to look for the yarn bombing in front of each location. It was a lovely stroll.

Val (L) and friend...and a bit o' yarn-bombing...

 Here are a few of the pieces that we saw...

I especially liked these two by Cindy Hoppe. Her use of recycled fabrics is inspiring!

Cindy Hoppe - Biggar, SK
Cindy is a Juried Member of the
Saskatchewan Craft Council

Spring Pool - Cindy Hoppe (15" W x 12" L)

The All Beings Confluence show was displayed in the foyer of a church and it was wonderful to walk through the sheer panels, and marvel at all the different techniques, used to create the panels.

Val among the panels of Martha Cole's
collaborative project, All Beings Confluence

And of course my friend and I, who both had art work in a dental office were thrilled to see our work hanging on the walls. I had “Just Because” (pink rose) and “French Wonder” (antique Clement motorcycle and rider) displayed.

French Wonder - Valerie Wilson

Just Because - Valerie Wilson

Jaynie had an exhibit at a gallery in the credit union. Her unique technique of making and using cords to create her pictures is fascinating. We got a sneak peek at her process later in the evening, when she treated us to coffee and apple pie at her house.

Jaynie Himsl - an example of her work with cords

Rush Hour - Jaynie Himsl

The second day we saw an exhibit in the Signal Hill Arts Centre. Jaynie had put out a call to Saskatchewan artists and had a great response. We spent a lot of time at this exhibit  enjoying the great variety of techniques used.

Carol Schmold - Plenty, SK

Caron Dubnik - La Ronge, SK

Jeannette Luther - Regina, SK

Rita St. Amant - Willow Bunch, SK (Facebook link)
Rita is a SAQA member and a Juried Member
of the Saskatchewan Craft Council

The Fibre Art Network (FAN) had an exhibit “Abstracted” at a gallery in the library. For this show artists paired up; with one artist doing a realistic version of an agreed upon image, the other partner doing an abstract version. [Editor's Note: in some cases, the two pieces were created by a single artist.]

This exhibit first showed in La Conner, WA in 2013, and since then has been touring Canada. Here are some samples:

Milkweed 1
Marianne Parsons
Originally from SK,
Marianne now lives and works
in the Okanagan Valley, B.C.

Milkweed 2
Marianne Parsons

Strong, Calm & Fearless - Donna Bray-Zakreski
Donna lives and works on Gabriola Island, B.C.

Strong, Calm & Fearless - Marianne Parsons

Okanagan Landscape
Coleen Adderley
Coleen, SAQA WC Co-Rep (B.C.)
lives and works in Peachland, B.C.

Okanagan Landsape
Maureen Carefoot - Kelowna, B.C.

And last, but not least, we saw Martha Cole's prairie piece in its permanent location. This is a piece that Martha created in 1981. As my friend Krista, mentioned on her blog: "A spectacular bird’s eye view of a prairie landscape with colours and textures that draw you into the image."

Souris River - Martha Cole, 1981
6' x 9'
Cotton, satin, antique satin, upholstery fabric,
ultra-suede, acrylic paints, assorted threads,
stretched on padded wood frame.

Souris River - Martha Cole (Detail)

Val's conclusion?

A very worthwhile trip!

Indeed!

Please click on the links provided for more information about the artists who participated in this summer-long event.  Some links are for Facebook; others, for the Fibre Art Network member pages; and still others link directly to the artist's website/blog.  Researching these links, I discovered a couple of artists whose work I have to get to know better, and whose skills will inspire my development.

Thanks, Val, for your colourful report...and Jaynie, if you're reading...Next year in Weyburn, eh?  :-)

Weyburn, SK: Your Destination for Fibre Art this Summer!

Touring the prairies this summer?  Driving into Saskatchewan?  Why don't you plan to stop over for a few days in Weyburn to take in what SK SAQA member, Jaynie Himsl, has spear-headed in her home town?

"Fibre Art Destination 2015" is a summer-long series of fibre art exhibits and events that opens July 2 and runs through August 31, 2015.  

A more detailed itinerary of the four exhibits -- with gallery addresses -- can be found HERE.

Jaynie's project came to my attention just before I left for Quilt Canada in Lethbridge.  I asked her to send me the backstory so I could share it with you.  While I was at QC, I got to meet Jaynie and chat at length.

In her photo she appears calm, cool, collected, sedate...perhaps a bit reserved.  In person?  Not so much!  Jaynie is a talented artist, an experimenter, passionate about textile art: a real powerhouse who blends her these qualities with poise, grace and a terrific sense of humour. She also possesses a wardrobe that's the envy of any artist --  it brings out her true colours!  ;-)

In her own words, here's how Fibre Art Destination 2015 came about:

I give credit to the incredible positive energy experienced at a Fibre Art Network (FAN) retreat for the idea and guidance to pull off this summer of fibre art. 

It started  nearly two years ago at the first FAN retreat I attended.  A slide show of their newest exhibition "Abstracted" was presented. I was so impressed with what I saw I wanted to see the exhibition in person.  Members are encouraged to seek out opportunities to show the FAN exhibitions so when I returned home I gave our curator information about FAN and asked if it would be possible for "Abstracted" to come to the art gallery in Weyburn. Within a few days the show was booked.

A year ago I finally had enough of my own work to fill a small gallery available to local artists. When I asked about available months to show my work one of the options was at the same time the FAN show would be in Weyburn. Having two fibre art shows at the same time seemed like a great idea. 

Then I went to my second FAN retreat in the fall of 2014.  One of the items on the agenda of a retreat is called "Wacky Ideas". FAN members gather in a group, somewhat exhausted, perhaps with a glass of wine and brainstorm.  Practical or realistic ideas are not discussed. Grandiose ideas are what it's all about. Everything from owning our own cruise ship and hosting fibre art cruises to having an international exhibition of our work.   Over the years some of the wacky ideas have come to be reality.  That's where the idea was planted to have Weyburn be a fibre art destination in 2015. 

I was full of enthusiasm and a few ideas when I returned home. First, was checking if the third gallery space in Weyburn was available.  With some rearranging of the schedule it could be available to host a fibre art show as well.  Around this time I saw an article in a magazine about "All Beings Confluence". The contact person was listed as Martha Cole.  After a few emails back and forth with Martha not only was "All Beings Confluence" booked to come to Weyburn but Martha was also booked to teach a 5 day class Aug 24-28 making more "Beings" panels.  

That made three fibre art shows booked.  When I found out the  requirements to hang "All Beings Confluence" I learned it wasn't going to fit in the gallery as planned.  A search for an alternative space  was found in a one of the churches.  

Many emails were exchanged with FAN mentors and Martha Cole before deciding upon an exhibition of Saskatchewan fibre artists in the remaining gallery.  A call for entry to "Join the Thread"  went out to Saskatchewan fibre artists inviting them to submit a 12" x 12" piece. 

The art walk gradually grew as I visited a variety of businesses in the downtown area.  Businesses that had suitable space to hang one or more pieces of fibre art were pleased to be part of a new event for our city.  Finding artists to show their work as part of the art walk proved to be easy and exciting for me.  Some of the artists I know, some I'm only familiar with their work, some belong to SAQA or FAN so were invited through that connection.  Geography determined which SAQA members were invited.  

With a passion for fibre art, an idea, many mentors and supporters, "Fibre Art Destination 2015 - Weyburn" has come to include: "Abstracted" a Fibre Art Network show, "All Beings Confluence" an interactive fibre show, "Join the Thread" a show of 12"x12" work by Saskatchewan artists, "Another Perspective" work by Jaynie Himsl, an art walk and with many busy fingers there will be yarn bombing marking the art walk locations. 

I'm learning many things as these fibre shows come together.  Mostly, that I'm only limited by my own imagination. Another, is that you just have to ask nicely and most of the time the answer is "yes".  

I think part of the reason the plans have worked so well is that we're a small city (10 thou).  We know each others names or faces, everyone benefits by working together. I can hardly wait for the city to be a little mecca for fibre art. 

Jaynie Himsl

 

SAQA members taking part in the exhibits during the summer include:

• Coleen Adderley (B.C.);

  

  The Surveyor's Nightmare
  (C) Jaynie Himsl

• Terry Aske (B.C.);
• Joyce Brown (AB);
• Donna Cutler (SK);
• Diane Duncan (AB);
• Susan Easton (SK);
• Jaynie Himsl (SK);
• Karen Johnson (B.C.);
• Paula Jolly (SK);
• Brandy Maslowski (B.C.);
• Pippa Moore (B.C.);
• Judith Panson (MB);
• Jenny Perry (B.C.);
• Katie Stein Sather (B.C.);
• Rita St. Amant (SK); and 
• Valerie Wilson (MB).

I'm thinkin' I might just have to see if my wee car has it in her to take me there...

Congratulations to Jaynie for her initiative and hard work -- and to her colleagues who are contributing to what will undoubtedly be a successful summer event...without doubt, one that will be an annual treat for Weyburn's citizens and visitors alike!