Alberta-based SAQA Artists Now on Exhibit in Lacombe!

In my previous post, I mentioned that the TREX (Travelling Exhibit) from the Alberta Society of Artists was coming to Lacombe.  I had a little bit of time there Saturday evening, on my way to the theatre, so stopped in for a look and took photos.

I found myself having to dodge some children who were running around in the area (the gallery is in a wide hall on the main floor near the ballroom, where a wedding reception was beginning), so please excuse some of the angles and a bit of blurring.  (I am a 'point and click' photographer and was using a Canon Power Shot A2600.)

There are only three artists in this exhibit, and two of them are SAQA members: Margie Davidson of Edmonton and Diane Duncan of Calgary.  This exhibit remains at the Lacombe Memorial Centre till December 7...so I hope to get back again to view it more slowly and carefully.

Perhaps these photos will entice SAQA members -- especially those in Alberta -- to do so too. (NOTE: The exhibit moves to Belgravia School in Edmonton thereafter, showing from December 14 through January 18.  School venues are a bit more challenging to enter, as you need to contact the school to confirm your visit, and during this period of time in particular, remember that schools will be closed for the "Holiday Season".)

First, from Margie:

Tom's Ties - 2016
Machine pieced and quilted

A Sampler - 2016
Hand-painted, stamped,
hand-stitched, machine quilted

And a trio, together entitled "A Sense of Place", in a seasonal palette:

Backyard Ferns - 2016
Sun-printed, machine quilted, hand-stitched
(Winter)

Canada Maple Leaves - 2016
Sun-printed, machine quilted, hand-stitched
Autumn

Edmonton Elms - 2016
Sun-printed, machine quilted, hand-stitched
Spring/Summer

Now, from Diane:

Grandma Bella - 2016
Assemblage, fabric collage, quilting,
crochet, embroidery

Granny Alice - 2016
Assemblage, fabric collage, quilting,
crochet, embroidery

Mom Evelyn - 2016
Assemblage, fabric collage, quilting,
crochet, embroidery

Dad Ernie - 2016
Assemblage, fabric collage, quilting,
crochet, embroidery

Please note that in the second floor gallery of the same venue, Margaret Blank's Mark on the Body: Honouring Those Who Live with Type 1 Diabetes is up through Wednesday.  If you are in Lacombe before November 17, you can see both exhibits in the same venue, at the same time.

More in La Conner...and in Manitoba!

Or..."If You Post It, They will Tell You More".  ;-)

Another SAQA WC member has come forward to share her work, which will also be showing at La Conner this weekend -- Margie Davidson of Edmonton.  Her piece, entitled Remembering, is a tribute to her father.  Here's her artist's statement about the piece:

"Remembering" by Margie Davidson -- responding to the poem,  "Elegy" by Carla Funk:

I remember giving Dad ties for Father's Day and birthdays.  Mom said he wore the ties that I gave him most often.  I remember, but with Alzheimer's disease he no longer can.  The father I knew is disappearing.  Making this artwork with my hands and Dad's ties is my elegy.

It is part of the Fibre Art Network exhibit entitled "Ekphrastic":

The term ekphrasis is derived from a combination of two Greek words: ek, which means 'for the sake of,' and phradzein, meaning 'to show, point out or describe.' Ekphrastic poetry is a genre of poetry in which the poet responds to or describes a piece of art. This exhibition will turn this notion on its head by visually interpreting a selection of poems.

Remembering - Margie Davidson

I've been assured that other SAQA WC members are part of this exhibit...please share your work with your colleagues in this space.  To do so, please contact Margaret (Co-Rep, Alberta and current blog editor).

And Cathie Ugrin continues prolific...for while she is in La Conner, she reports that her piece, "Listen Softly", will be on exhibit at the Manitoba Fibre Festival:

Listen Softly - Cathie Ugrin

Listen Softly - Detail

In the newest issue of the SAQA Journal there is an article by Judith Trager entitled, "Rejected? Don't Play the Pity Card..."  It's about putting your work out there -- and dealing with the consequences.  

If you find yourself wishing you could be a Cathie or a Margie or a Katie or a Karen or a Val or a Terry or a Marie or a Janet or an Alison or any one of the members featured in these blog posts with success in exhibits and galleries, you might a) read Judith's article; and b) think about attending our first ever Regional Retreat in West Kelowna, May 4-7, 2017, when the over-arching theme will be "Out of the Studio: Into the Wider World".  Presentations and a panel discussion will focus on preparing your work for exhibit, whether it be for sale in a show or gallery, or entering a juried exhibit.  

Volunteers are needed to help Coleen and Val bring this event to fruition (Margaret will no longer be Co-Rep...that spot also needs filling in Alberta!)... Please contact Coleen (Retreat Co-ordinator) directly if you are willing and prepared to help in any way...and we thank you for your support!

Going to Quilt Canada?

Are you attending Quilt Canada 2015 in Lethbridge in June?  If so, now's your chance to take a class (or two!) with SAQA members on the Faculty at the Conference -- and both have been winners of the CQA 'Teacher of the Year' award in their careers!

Kathy Tidswell of New Brunswick -- SAQA Atlantic Canada member and CQA Teacher of the Year in 2005 -- will be presenting a one-day workshop on "Painting Flowers with Thread", and a two-day workshop on "One-of-a-Kind Wearable Art".

Meanwhile, SAQA Western Canada member, Margie Davidson of Edmonton, AB --  CQA Teacher of the Year in 2013 -- will be presenting a one-day workshop entitled "Painting with the Colour Wheel" (June 4) and a two-day workshop, "Paint and Piece" (June 5 and 6).   Margie recently contacted me to share her enthusiasm for the topics she is presenting, even sending me photos to whet your appetite for colour and paint on textiles!


Are you eager to learn more about surface design?  Or do you know someone who's ready to further explore the world of colour and fabric?

Using fabric paint -- and inspired by the colour wheel -- create this luscious collection of fabrics!

Painting with the Colour Wheel

And/or...combine paint and fabric to print and piece something like this!

Paint and Piece

For more information, you may contact Margie directly (info@margiedavidson.ca), via her website, or through the Quilt Canada 2015 website.

And while you're in Lethbridge...

If you have an hour (or two) to assist me (Co-Rep Margaret) at the SAQA Trunk Show F booth -- it would be much appreciated!  Trunk Show F will be appearing all three days; because the pieces are small and portable, it's important to have someone attending the table all day each and every day of the show.  I am happy to be the one who puts in the most hours there, but will need a few breaks to stretch my legs, refresh my coffee, attend to personal comfort (!) and perhaps browse the booths, connecting with quilters, merchants and presenters alike on behalf of SAQA.  So...if you are able to give me a hand at the booth, please contact me by e-mail (margblank@xplornet.ca).  I'd like to arrange scheduling that will suit each volunteer.  Thanks so much for your support!

Note, too, that Quilt Canada 2015 will be your last chance to see Trunk Show F in Western Canada this year.  On June 10 it's being shipped back to the U.S....and will be sent from there to other venues.

Trunk Show F at Sylvan Lake Guild - Dec. 9, 2014

So Canadian, eh?

Cruising down my Facebook "home" page and what do I see?

A blurry photo of SAQA member (and Canadian SAQA pioneer), Anna Hergert.  The report?  She was accepting the award of "Teacher of the Year" from the Canadian Quilters' Association at its annual conference, Quilt Canada -- this year being held in St. Catharine's, Ontario.

Anna is a former Alberta resident (who launched the art quilting career of many of us, thank you!) who now lives near Moose Jaw, SK...and she was initially the only rep for the Western Canada Region of SAQA...until she made our American friends see reason (grin).  She convinced yours truly to join SAQA in 2008...and my life has never been the same since!

CONGRATULATIONS, ANNA!!

Upon checking out the CQA site, I tripped over last year's winner -- yet another SAQA Western Canada member, Margie Davidson of Edmonton.

Whoa!  Are we great, or what?!  ;-)

Still More to See from Alberta Artists! (Part I)

Margie against a backdrop that
showcases her talents.

Last week at the Preview for "Western Threads" ( April 10)  I chanced to meet up with Margie Davidson, a SAQA Western Canada member and Edmonton artist whom I much admire.  In addition to her fabulous sun dyeing and quilting, Margie is a knitter.  She is also a member of the Alberta Craft Council.

I'd not seen her in some time; it turns out that almost a year ago Margie suffered several injuries as a result of a cycling accident.  She is well on the road to recovery, but her journey isn't over yet, and she has had to scale back time in her studio.  That said, Margie is a trouper, passionate about her work, and continues to forge ahead as energy levels permit.

This includes appearing as artist-on-site on Thursdays at the McMullen Gallery -- located in the main floor of the University of Alberta Hospital -- with her knitted installation, Measuring a Year.   I had the delight and privilege of seeing this installation last year (scroll down) when it debuted in the Alberta Craft Council's Feature Gallery, and I commend it to anyone going to Edmonton in the near future.  The work opened at the McMullen on March 22 and runs through May 11.  I'm going to be back in Edmonton during that time and hope to visit it again, as it's been a powerful inspiration and encouragement to me in the work I am currently doing.

Speaking of the Alberta Craft Council, concurrently Margie has work in the group exhibit, "Furnish", which opened in the Feature Gallery on April 5 and runs through July 5, 2014.  I quote from the show description on the website:

The desire to furnish one’s home goes beyond the mere practical. We seek comfort, beauty, meaning and individuality along with function.  Many people reinforce who they are through their home; from a wall hanging, a handcrafted entry table, a favourite chair or a cherished ceramic serving bowl.  Designed to encourage customers to buy and collect local hand-crafted furnishings and products for their homes, this exhibition features over 50 pieces by 21 Alberta Craft Council members.

 This exhibit, too, is on my "MUST SEE" list when I am up in Edmonton for a few days in early May.  Maybe I'll see you there?  ;-)