Spotlight Auction Starts April 15th!

The SAQA Spotlight Auction is held during the SAQA Conference every year! The proceeds from this auction support SAQA exhibitions and programming. 

Anyone can bid, whether you are attending the conference or not. 

Details about how to bid can be found here.

Here are some of the pieces in the auction made by Western Canada Members. Support their work and add to your art collection.

Christine Johannink - From Scraps Comes Art

Janet Scruggs - Dendritic Dots

Jaynie Himsl - Floating

Margaret Blank - Spring Run-Off

Marie McEachern - G "Rounded"

Susan Selby - Garden Chives

Michelle Craigen - Purple Iris

It's a New Year!

Time to make an Artist's Date!

Here are some venues for your consideration...

Member Susan Selby has a new show on in Manitoba, opening near the end of this month:

Her Artist's Talk will be February 3 at 2:00 p.m. -- at the Portage & District Arts Centre, #11 - 2nd Street NE, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.


If you're travelling down East -- specifically to Sydney, NS -- you might visit this exhibit from SAQA Atlantic member Helene Blanchet -- who for many years was a Calgary resident and part of SAQA Western Canada's region.  (She was one who helped with our Calgary "Parlour Meeting" back in the day.)

If you find yourself in the vicinity of La Grange, Texas some time between January 10 and March 24, do take in SAQA's global exhibit, Season After Season, at the Texas Quilt Museum.  SAQA Central Canada member Joan Hug-Valeriot and SAQA WC member, Margaret Blank are the only two Canadians to have pieces in this show!

Rather uniquely, this exhibit also required each artist to provide a sketchbook/journal with his/her piece -- which can be viewed by visitors to the exhibit!

And if blustery, wintry weather's keeping you indoors -- get thee to thy studio and make some art!

Happy New Year to all our SAQA Western Canada members!  Please share your activities with your colleagues this year -- both in our Region and beyond.  Contact blog editor, Margaret Blank, with your news so she can share it in these pages.  Thank you for your support!

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

Opening Next Week in Alberta

The Annual Camrose Art Walk opened at the beginning of June.  It's composed of two "tranches" of artists -- with some overlaps -- with the first group showing at various venues around the City of Camrose, Alberta, through July 18 (that's tomorrow!) and the second group showing from July 24 through September 4.

Venues include Camrose City Hall, the Bill Fowler Centre, the Public Library, the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre on the U. of Alberta's Augustana Campus. the Chuck MacLean Arts Centre, the local Starbucks, the Candler Art Gallery, and two cafes -- Sacred Arts and Fiona's.  A brochure is available at any one of these locations, and includes a map so visitors can make their way around to the various venues.

Margaret (L) and Mary (R)
at Eilean Donan Castle,
September 2017

SAQA Western Canada members Mary Wilton and Margaret Blank are delighted to share that their collaborative 19-piece exhibit, Inspired by Scotland, will be showing at the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre in that second group -- July 24 through September 4.

Mary and Margaret were part of the Celtic Quilt Tours trip to Scotland in September 2017, and determined even before they travelled that they'd like to pool their inspirations for a collaborative exhibit.  That the Camrose Art Walk -- in which Mary has participated for a dozen years now! -- agreed to show their work in such a lovely venue as the Performing Arts Centre was the icing on the cake.




In the past year Mary has explored more fully the technique of wet felting -- which she then quilts -- so many of her pieces will include this unique way of expressing her love of the beauty of nature she found in Scotland.

Colours of the Moor
Mary Wiilton (c) 2018

Margaret has discovered a way to combine quilting with painted stretched canvas, so many of the pieces she's created for the show will feature her explorations in this area.

Storm Brewing Over the Lowlands
Margaret Blank (c) 2018

A "Meet the Artists" Reception will be held at the Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, August 15, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. -- and they hope to see some of their friends there -- especially those from Central Alberta and perhaps Edmonton.  😊

Winter Got You Down?

Time to check out the art on show by our SAQA Western Canada members!

Looking for some colour to offset cloudy skies?

As mentioned in the post at the end of December, members who also belong to Fibre Art Network (FAN) and Fibre Arts Voices have exhibits now running in the Okanagan and on Vancouver Island, respectively. 

Also in B.C., member Lesley Turner* and her artistic partner, Sarah McLaren have just mounted their show, Colour: A Personal Response at Place des Arts in Coquitlam.  Below is just a sample of this project, which is being featured in the Atrium Gallery there.

Photo: Lesley Turner

All three exhibits have Opening Receptions this week:

• Fibre Arts Voices - TODAY at 2 p.m.; 
• Colour: A Personal Response - Friday, January 12 - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• FAN's Ekphrastic - Saturday, January 13 - noon - 3 p.m.

*If you've never installed an exhibit, check out how Lesley and Sarah went about it (with help from the Gallery) HERE.

Caught in the Deep Freeze?

Warm up with a Festival!

This weekend in Edmonton, Alberta is the 11th Annual Deep Freeze Festival, organized along 118th Avenue by the good folks at Arts on the Avenue.  Events run Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. -- family-friendly indoor and outdoor fun: sports, games, music, entertainment, food -- and ART!

Dervish!
15" x 15"
Monoprint, machine quilted
(C) M. Blank, 2016

Alberta member Margaret Blank has two pieces accepted into this juried show, and both will be available for purchase.  She expects to be at the Festival on Sunday afternoon to enjoy the festivities and take in the full art exhibit.

The Festival's Art Exhibit is up now at the Gallery in the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts, 9225 - 118 Avenue, Edmonton, and may be previewed prior to the Festival. 

Gallery Hours: 

Preview: January 10 & 11: 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

During the Festival: Saturday, January 13: noon - 8:00 p.m.

and Sunday, January 14: noon - 6:00 p.m.

2017 Trunk Show -- Samples to Inspire

Over a month ago in this space, we posted about the SAQA Trunk Show and the opportunities it afforded for trying on techniques, for getting exposure for your work, for automatic acceptance (no jury) and for having some fun.

Now, however, The End Deadline is Near!  That's right, colleagues!  If you've been procrastinating about entering this every-three-years opportunity -- you have a mere four days (and a few hours) left.  The deadline for your online entry is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 30 -- which translates to 8:59 p.m. Pacific, 9:59 p.m. Mountain and 10:59 p.m. Central Standard Time.

Soooo...if you're needing a bit more inspiration, here are a few examples from your SAQA WC colleagues who've already submitted their entries...

From B.C., Terry Aske:

Croatian Door (C) 2016
Terry Aske

Terry's statement about her piece:

While visiting Croatia, I took a photo of this small rustic door, tucked under a flight of well-worn stone steps, and set deeply into a rough rock wall. The passage of time can be seen in the shape and surface of the door. I wondered: how old is it; what history has it seen; what might be behind it?

Techniques:  Digital image, computer enhanced, then printed on fabric.  Rock surfaces machine-quilted through one layer of batting.  Grout and door quilted through two layers, resulting in a dimensional trapunto effect.

From Alberta:

Margaret Blank, Mirror:

Autumn Colours (C) 2016
Margaret Blank

Margaret's statement about her piece:

I was inspired by the trees and the sky on the Central Alberta prairies in late September found in the view from my back lane.  Yes, the sky here is really that blue!

Marie McEachern, Calgary:

Off the Grid (C) 2016
Marie McEachern

All Marie would divulge is that she hand-dyed the fabric...


Mary Wilton, Camrose:

Ireland View (C) 2016
Mary Wilton

Mary was a painter before she was a quilter, and when she discovered painting on fabric...she became an art quilter.  She is now developing an entire body of work with painted backgrounds.  Mary took a quilting tour to Ireland last spring, which was the inspiration for this piece.

Okay; now you have your inspiration!   Translate a photo; go abstract; add surface design; paint a background -- it's your turn!

What are you waiting for?!                         

**********************************************************************************************************************************************

This is my last post as Editor of the SAQA WC blog...at least, for the foreseeable future.  I am handing the reins on to Val Wilson, Co-Rep for MB/SK...with my blessing.  Please give her your support, and send her your news to share with your SAQA WC colleagues.  You can reach her at v_wilson@mts.net.

I want to thank each and every one of you, SAQA WC colleagues, for your support, your feedback, and your faithful readership over the past three years as I served you in the Region.  I have no idea what's next for me in the SAQA world, beyond making a modest contribution to the Region's first-ever Regional Retreat in West Kelowna in May...but I welcome whatever comes!

Should one of you in Alberta decide you might be able to manage being Co-Rep here for a couple of years (the term is really only two years; I stayed on one more for a variety of reasons)...please get in touch with either Coleen Adderley (B.C.) or Val (as above)...or with SAQA Reps Coordinator Desiree (Desi) Vaughn. (Please note that my job as blog editor was by choice; it's not a requirement of whoever serves in Alberta! LOL!)

There is Co-Rep training provided as well as a manual and other materials -- and I have a box of goodies to pass on that I'd love to get out of my back room! ;-)

May SAQA continue to excite, educate and inspire you to show your work within the organization and elsewhere.  May you continue to use the opportunities it offers to build your confidence and skills as textile artists...and may you always remember that you whatever you contribute to any organization, you receive in return, many times over.

See you in West Kelowna in May, God willing! 'Bye for now!

At the opening of Western Threads
"Meet the Best of the West" Exhibit
Royal Alberta Museum, April 2014

Ongoing and Upcoming in October

First...this weekend at the Quilt and Fiber Arts Festival in La Conner, Washington, viewers will see this piece by member Cathie Ugrin:

Sea at Storm  - Detail at right

Congratulations, Cathie!  

Next, opening shortly in Vancouver, B.C. - this exhibit by members Katie Stein Sather and Karen Johnson:

On her blog, Katie describes her work for this exhibit -- an expression of her spiritual journey.  Best wishes to Katie and Karen for a successful show!


Meanwhile, in Alberta, member Margaret Blank has been preparing for the debut of her installation:

Margaret has written a book about this three-part work, describing the journey she and her family took with her late husband, living with "T1D", and the inspiration to create these pieces after his death.  The book is available online in both e-book and trade paper format at Blurb.com.  All proceeds from the sale of the book will be divided equally between JDRF Canada and the Canadian Diabetes Association.  

"Mark on the Body: Making My Mark", the second part of this installation, is ongoing and participatory.  Margaret invites interested stitchers to contact her for a kit to create a small stitched quilt "sandwich" that will hang as part of a mobile or series of mobiles as the installation goes forward.  To date, over two dozen have been completed; Margaret's goal is at least 100.