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.  😊

Camrose Art Walk 2017

Once again Camrose member Mary Wilton is part of the Annual Art Walk in Camrose, Alberta -- and you have just a few weeks left to catch this varied exhibit in this lovely Central Alberta city.

Yes -- that's Mary on the cover of this year's Art Walk brochure.  In the centre is her husband, Terry, whose photography is also on exhibit, and to the right is their colleague, Jim Brager.

Yours truly had the pleasure of visiting the assorted venues with Mary about ten days ago, so I'm happy to share just a taste of her work on display, in case you can't get to Camrose to see it for yourself...

Manitoba Thanksgiving
Wet felting, free-motion quilting,
mounted on artist's canvas

Autumn Birches
Painted whole-cloth, glue resist
fused applique, free-motion quilting

Top: Ontario Summer
Bottom: Newfoundland Sunrise
Wet felting, free-motion quilting
mounted on artist's canvas

The Art Walk runs through September 5, 2017 at various venues around Camrose.  Downtown Camrose is ideal for strolling -- with galleries, an art supply shop, a large quilt shop, and some very good eateries: perfect for an Artist's Date!

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!

July is perfect for picnics...and Terry Aske and Judy Villet have the perfect one for you if you're going to be out and about in the Lower Mainland of B.C. this week...an adventure Into the Heart of the Forest.  NOTE: this exhibit is now open and runs through July 24.

Going to the Stampede in Calgary?  You might stop by the Crowfoot Library  (8665 Nose Hill Drive N.W.) to see the Calgary SAQA POD's locally-produced exhibit, Road Trip.

If you missed this one when it showed at Fish Creek Library in April, do try to make it up to the Crowfoot venue.  It will be there through July 24.  From there it goes to the High River Library (909 - 1st Street S.W., High River, AB) from Aug. 2 - 31.

Fancy art on the hoof?  There's an Artwalk going on in Camrose, Alberta this summer which includes work by Mary Wilton, another one of our Alberta members.  From July 20 through September 6, you can see her work at the Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, 4901 46 Avenue, Camrose, as part of that city's 21st Annual Artwalk, sponsored by the Camrose Art Society.

Through the Barn Door - Mary Wilton, 2015

Planning ahead for the fall... 

Calgary Area POD is hosting a workshop in High River.  Presented not long ago in B.C. by the Lower Mainland POD, here's an opportunity for members all over the Region -- but particularly east of the Rockies! -- to find the answer to that eternal question, "What Were the Judges Thinking?" 

The workshop is described as "Module 1 of the CQA quilt judge certification program" and is designed for anyone who is considering becoming a judge, scribe, juror or aide, or for those interested in organizing a judged show, or simply expanding their knowledge about judged competitions.

• Date: Saturday, September 10, 2016.
• Location: High River Library, 901 - 1st Street S.W., High River, AB.
• Time:  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Cost: $50.00 per person, including kit fee.

Registration: the registration fee may be mailed, paid in person or by e-transfer.  Payment must be in full; it will be non-refundable unless the workshop is cancelled.  Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis -- and there is a class limit of 20. For a registration form, please contact Marie McEachern or Nan Williams.