Catching Up With the News

It's said that timing is everything...and that certainly seems to be the case when it comes to keeping up with all the exhibits in which our SAQA WC members are participating!

It's definitely a challenge for your Blog Editor -- particularly when she finds herself inadvertently off-line for 10 days while she awaits a replacement part (power cord) for her computer!  For this, I apologize...and now scramble to catch up!

First, a mention of an exhibit on now in Vancouver -- and ending this weekend.

B.C. member Susan Purney Mark may have been travelling in Europe for the last several months, but that hasn't stopped her pieces from showing at the CityScape Gallery's exhibit, Industrial Perspective.

No More Ships
Susan Purney Mark - 2017 

The exhibit is on through June 30, so if you are in the area, do drop by and see it!

While that exhibit is closing, another has just opened -- at the Heritage Centre Public Art Gallery in Stony Plain, AB.  Fibre Art Network's Ekphrastic: Part I will be there until July 28.

Several SAQA WC members are participating, including Terry Aske, Diana Bartelings, Janet Bednarczyk, Joyce Brown, Jan Clark, Alison Dean Cowitz, Gloria Daly, Donna-Fay Digance, Diane Duncan, Dianne Firth, Robin Fischer, Jaynie Himsl, Karen Johnson, Judy Leslie, Linda MacKay, Judy MacLeod, Pippa Moore, Jenny Perry, Katie Stein Sather, Susan Selby and Mary Wilton.

Mary describes the exhibit this way:

This exhibition, is built around four Fibre Art Network artists, interpreting unpublished poems from twelve Canadian poets as a dialogue between the two art forms.

The exhibition has been divided in two to accommodate the smaller gallery at the Multicultural Centre.

The opening [reception] for the Part One will be held on Saturday, June 30 from 1-3.  Part Two will be hung July 30 to August 31 with the opening scheduled for August 4 from 1-3 pm.

Her piece, Visitors at Dawn, was selected as the featured art for the poster advertising this unique exhibit:

Visitors at Dawn
Mary Wilton

Meanwhile, in print, it was exciting to see B.C. member Terry Aske's piece, Aurora, as one of the "Selections from Dusk to Dawn" in the current issue of the SAQA Journal.

Congratulations are in order for Alberta member Ana Buzzalino!  Her piece, The Prairie's Changing Landscape, won First Place in the "Art -- Abstract, Small" category at the International Quilter's Association (IQA) Judged Show, "Quilts: A World of Beauty" in 2017.

You can see a photo and Ana's statement about this work on page 61 of the June/July 2018 issue of Quilting Arts.







Thanks to the hard work of former members Patti Morris and Debra Bray, The Burgess Shale has at last found a home!  All 25 participating artists gave their permission, so these colourful pieces have been shipped to the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum  near Grande Prairie, Alberta.  We await news of a possible Open House in the coming months, once the pieces have been settled into their new venue.


And finally -- for the moment -- Alberta member Margaret Blank has recently received word that her entry, Incarnation to Resurrection: Reflections on the Colours of the Church Year, has been accepted into the SAQA exhibit, "Season After Season", which will begin its tour at the Texas Quilt Museum,  La Grange, Texas, in January 2019.

Incarnation to Resurrection:
Reflections on the Colours 
of the Church Year
Margaret Blank

You can read about some of Margaret's journey in the creation of this piece on her blog HERE.

Stay tuned for more exhibit news as we move into July.  That said, your Editor is not a viewer of every available social media platform so please e-mail her or track her down on Facebook if you have news you want to share with SAQA Western Canada (and beyond) colleagues!

And thank you for your support!

Exhibition News!

On NOW in Kamloops!  

B.C. member Janet Scruggs has shared this information...as she has pieces in this exhibition.  Please note the special evening hours on March 15, and the fact that the pieces are available for purchase!

The Return of the Burgess Shale Exhibit

Hectori Trilobite 
Jaynie Himsl

In 2013, then SAQA Co-Rep for Alberta, Patti Morris, curated an exhibit of the critters (fossils) of the Burgess Shale, inspired and assisted by member Deborah Bray.  Member Barbara J. West was then President of the Alberta Society of Artists, and was instrumental in arranging for this exhibit to tour schools and libraries throughout Alberta as part of the TREX (TRavelling EXhibit) program.

Dinomischus
Judith Panson

On that tour, it was seen by a fellow who was connected to the Burgess Shale Interpretive Centre.  After some discussions and deliberations, at the end of its TREX tour, the Burgess Shale Exhibit was delivered to the Interpretive Centre in Field, B.C., with a view to having a permanent home there.

Sadly, this has not happened.  It is reported that the Federal government, the Alberta Government and the Parks Department were unable to agree on how to manage this exhibit, and so Deb Bray has brought it back to Alberta, in the hopes of finding an alternative permanent place for it.

The good news is that there's to be an introductory exhibit!

Deborah Bray and Patti Morris have teamed up with the Bow River Quilters for a one day only return exhibit of this very special project.  If you have never seen it in its entirety, and are in the area, do make your way to the Banff Trail Community Centre in Calgary for a unique, colourful and family-friendly exhibit -- the fossils of the Burgess Shale, interpreted in fabric, fibre and floss.  Enjoy!

It is hoped that this reprise exhibit will stir interest and help find a permanent home for these special pieces.

The artists involved are especially invited to attend this one-day-only exhibit.  Some of them are no longer SAQA members...and may not follow this blog.  If you know them...please pass the word along!  

In addition to organizers Deborah Bray and Patti Morris, the artists who brought these creatures to life include:

From Alberta:

• Bush Eastep;
• Barbara West;
• Diane Duncan;
• Hanne Seidel;
• Ilse Anysas-Salkauskas;
• Wendy Klotz;
• Leslie Barnes;
• Margaret Blank;
• Linda Mackay;
• Susanne Loutas;
• Christine Wiggett.

From British Columbia:

• Terry Aske;
• Katie Stein Sather;
• Jennifer Cooper;
• Catherine Nicholls;
• Mardell Rampton;
• Lesley Mayfield;
• Coreen Zerr.

From Manitoba/Saskatchewan:

• Jaynie Himsl;
• Judith Panson;
• Rena Holma;
• Susan Wittrup.

And...Linda Sharp, no longer a member, whom I cannot place -- with apologies!

I regret, as one of the artists involved, that I am unable to attend because...I will be busy with my booth at the Annual Lacombe Art Show and Sale, Lacombe Memorial Centre, April 20 and 21...So I send my best wishes to all involved for a successful return to the Burgess Shale.

Still More To See

Catherine in Wonderland

For those of you who might not follow B.C. member Catherine Nicholls,  she has a piece in the exhibit "Wonderland" now showing through October 11 at the CityScape Community Art Space in North Vancouver.  Her piece is entitled "Jaberwocky" and she blogs about it -- and the opening reception last week -- HERE.

Where in Alberta is The Burgess Shale?

The Burgess Shale has begun its second year of touring with TREX under the auspices of the Alberta Society of Artists.  In order that some of the good folk in North-central and Northern Alberta get to see it, the exhibit will be travelling "up there" between now and the end of February.  It will then return to Southern Alberta for the remainder of its tour before it takes up permanent residence in B.C. near the site of the Burgess Shale excavation.

The Burgess Shale opened this tour September 3 at the Hinton Municipal Library, where it will remain through October 1.  October 10 through November 5 it will be on show at Peace River High School.  Additional tour dates can be found on our Networking Page.  If you have family and friends in these places, do let them know about the Project.  

Remember, though, if you wish to view it in a school setting, which is not generally open to the public, please contact the school and arrange an appointment in advance.  Thank you for your support!

Workshops and Exhibits

Susan Purney Mark

I know I sent out a newsletter earlier today...but to clarify: the date of the September Calgary workshop/Parlour Meeting -- featuring Susan Purney Mark -- is Wednesday, September 10 - at Shaganappi Community Hall.

Pat Pauly

The organizers of the Pat Pauly Workshop/Evening Talk (in Langley, B.C. in October) have advised that there are 2 spaces in Pat's class for interested parties!   Follow the link (above) for information.


And today the Alberta Surface Design Association (SDA) chapter has posted some wonderful exhibit information about up-coming and current exhibits.

Dana Roman has a solo exhibit opening in Canmore in late September and running only briefly -- Sept. 25 - October 7.
She works in acrylics, mixed media and textiles, creating silk paintings and semi-abstract landscapes (from her website).

The textile group Contextural has completed another ACAD residency and will be exhibiting the results in a show entitled "Organic Matters"
at various locations around the ACAD campus between August 25 and October 15th.  The opening reception is Sept. 4th at 6-8 p.m. on the ACAD Mall.  Check the SDA Alberta blog for details about both of these exhibits.

The 2014 edition of the SAQA Benefit Auction begins September 15th.  A selection of the submissions has been set up as a slide show (see the right-hand sidebar), but you can see all of these fine works -- including pieces from seven Western Canadian members -- HERE.

The Burgess Shale exhibit begins a new tour shortly -- check for an up-date as to locations and dates on our "Networking" page.  Members Deborah Bray and Patti Morris have been working with the folks at the site -- and it is a distinct possibility that this exhibit may be shown there after it finishes it's tour of Southern Alberta venues with TREX/The Alberta Society of Artists.  There may be a permanent home in store for this exhibit one day.  This would be an exciting outcome for the artists involved, for the SAQA WC Region and for SAQA and textile artists as a whole.  Stay tuned for developments!

A Great Summer for SAQA WC Artists!

This summer is a great one for taking in work by our Western Canadian members.

"Western Threads", the collaborative show that includes our exhibit, "Meet the Best of the West", is up for a few more weeks (till August 4) at the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton.

Several members have pieces in the Focus on Fibre Arts Association's Biennial Juried Show, "Prairies", on through the end of August at the upstairs gallery at Enterprise Square in Edmonton.

And "The Burgess Shale" exhibit is currently on at the Beiseker Station Museum in Beiseker, Alberta through July 30.  It will move to the Sundre Municipal Library for July 30 through August 25.

Alison Cowitz's piece, "Ozzie" has won a red ribbon at this year's Calgary Stampede!  You can see it on display there through Sunday.  Here's what she wrote me yesterday:

I entered a One Block Wonder quilt in the Stampede Western Lifestyles Creative Arts & Crafts Competition last year, and I was really surprised to get a 3rd place ribbon for my first time entering!

As a young girl I loved going to the Calgary Stampede and seeing all the creative things that people would make and enter into the Showcase. I think the competitive nature in me just wanted to enter again, so I raised my bar and pushed hard to finish Ozzie in time for the June 23rd deadline (remember I had him on my design wall over the winter?). A deadline reason to finish is more motivation for me than anything.

Let me mention that the quilting part of finishing a quilt is not my strong suit. I have a background in Graphic Design, so the design and colour part comes easier to me. I had more fun designing and building the piece, but when it came time for the quilting I was almost paralyzed with fear. Where do I start? How do I build this? What do I do in this area? How much is too much? I did take a one day free motion quilting class with Lorraine Stagness (excellent teacher!) a few months ago to warm up my skills. There came a time when I just had to let go of the practicing, put my fears aside and gather the courage to just go for it with Ozzie! So I put my “big girl panties” on and tried. It was really scary at first, then some things started to turn out well, then I became addicted to the possibilities. It was going well until my thread started breaking a lot and my usually wonderful Bernina 820 would only sew in one direction. ...my doubts came flooding in, and then I visited Michael at My Sewing Room here in Calgary, who gave me a crash course in tension, threads and needles (I owe him a 6 pack for that).

I stressed about the finishing, had my quilt done on the day of the deadline and in the end I am very happy with the results. This work represents who I am today. I heard on Friday, the opening day of this year’s Stampede, that there was a red first place ribbon beside my Ozzie! I went down for a look myself, thinking that I must have been the only entrant in this category. It was a VERY humbling experience to see my work hung amongst the many other beautiful works. In fact it's what gives me the jazz to make art quilts. It’s not about the ribbons for me, but to stand up and be counted among other talented traditional and art quilters. To be amongst such talented people is encouraging me to keep doing this with enthusiasm. I am already plotting about what to enter in next years Stampede Competition.

Now Saskatchewan member, Jaynie Himsl, has work in this show in Duncan, B.C.:

She posted about her piece recently on Facebook with this photo:

If you're in the area next month, be sure to stop by and take a closer look at what looks to be a fabulous exhibit!

Artists' Visit a Hit at St. Albert the Great School, Calgary

Three artists who contributed to The Burgess Shale Exhibit were able to share their passion for textile art with the students of the Art 7 class at St. Albert the Great Junior High School in Calgary on Friday, May 9.

When Margaret Blank arrived, she found the class well under way -- lead by the enthusiastic duo of Leslie Barnes and Deborah Bray.  Carolyn Lutz, the Art 7 teacher, and Caroline Loewen, the Manager/Curator for TREX Southwest (Alberta Society of Artists), were in on the excitement and the learning that went on all morning.

The chosen project?  Fabric postcards of the Burgess Shale critters.  Most of the students hadn't handled a needle and thread before, or cut up fabric, or worked with buttons and trims, irons and fusible web. The photos from the day say it all...

Caroline L. irons the fusible

Stitching away...

Stitching suggestions from Leslie -- or Deb?

Working in sketchbooks

The challenge: thick thread!

Deb works on a piece

Crazy-patch critters!

Choia sponge interpretation

Sponges I

Sponges II

Finished Collection

In the end, twenty-eight pieces were ready for the students to display at the school's up-coming Art Walk.  The artists left behind a ton of fabric scraps and bundles of embroidery floss as a memento of their visit -- and an invitation to have another go at textile art.  They came away with a greater gift -- the energy of 28 students -- girls and boys aged 11-13 -- who set the class-room a-buzz with their enthusiasm, their creativity, and their eagerness to learn.

The Burgess Shale Exhibit left St. Albert the Great School yesterday and will open next at the following venues:

• Millarville Community Library, Millarville, AB - May 21 - June 18;
• Beiseker Station Museum, Beiseker, AB - June 25 - July 23; and
• Sundre Municipal Library, Sundre, AB - July 30 - August 25.

Should you live near one of those venues and want to arrange an Artist's Visit, contact Co-Rep Margaret Blank, who will put you in touch with Caroline Loewen at TREX/ASA.   While most venues would welcome a visit from a participating artist, not all require or expect the artist(s) to provide a hands-on project.  The artist(s) might be called on to do an artist's talk about the exhibit and/or his/her own work and process.  Making a visit requires only that you have a passion for your work, and an ability and willingness to share this with viewers.  Go for it!

Getting the Word Out

Orthrozanclus Reburrus
- Terry Aske

The Rocky Mountain Outlook, a newspaper from Canmore, Alberta, recently published an article about our newest touring exhibit, The Burgess Shale Project.  Thanks to Hanne Seidel for passing on this information.  You can read the article, "Art Quilts Bring Ancient Critters to Life" HERE.