What I've Been Meaning to Write: SAQA's New Mentorship Program

Thanks to Chris Nielsen, whose post on the Atlantic Canada blog is very timely!  Somewhat red-faced, I've been spending less time on my computer during our lovely summer, so have not explored the SAQA Mentorship Program.  Instead, I've let thoughts of it tickle my brain from time to time, and have posted nothing!

However, I recognize (as Chris does) that not all of our SAQA Western Canada members participate in the general SAQA Yahoo Group, a repository for all kinds of information and a source of lively discussions.

SO...with that in mind, I'll take a page from Chris' book, and post this latest message from Sue Bleiweiss, who is coordinating this program (emphases mine):

Now that the mentorship program has been underway for several weeks I thought I would post an update on how it's going and provide some statistics and other information about it. 

So far 12 matches have been made and all the mentees have met with their mentors at least once via Skype, FaceTime or telephone to talk about their objectives and goals and to set up a regular communication schedule with each other. Everyone is very excited about their new partnerships and I couldn't be happier about that. 

You might be wondering who these mentors are so I am going to tell you! I'm sharing their names with their permission of course and they are: 

Pamela Allen 
Sue Bleiweiss 
Lisa Call 
Jenny Bowker 
Sherri Culver 
Kathleen Loomis 
Alison Schwabe 
Pamela Druhen 
Carol Ann Waugh 
Susan Polansky 
Phylis Cullen 

Each of them have signed on to work with at least one mentee and a couple are working with more than one. I am grateful for their willingness to sign on to be a part of this program because the success of the program really hinges on having enough mentors. And that brings me to my next statistic... 

I have 9 mentees on the waiting list waiting to be matched up with a mentor. I need more mentors! 

So I am once again putting out the call for mentors. Now I know that being a mentor isn't for everyone and I absolutely understand and respect that but I'm guessing that there are some of you out there that are thinking you might be interested but your not sure about it because you are not sure how to be a mentor or what areas or categories you can mentor someone in. To answer those questions, just pop over to the SAQA website here: http://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?ID=3369   All the information about the program is there and if you take a look at both the mentor and the mentee applications (regardless of which you want to apply for) those will also help answer your questions. If you still have questions or your unsure, then write to me at sue@suebleiweiss.com. I will be happy to talk with you about the program and how you can be a part of it. 

The mentorship program is just one of the programs brought to you by the SAQA membership committee. The committee is chaired by Diane Wright and is made up of volunteers Clara Nartey (Secretary), Sue Bleiweiss, Paula Huffman Brown, Sharon Buck, Christine Hager-Braun, Candice Phelan, Allison Reker, Desi Vaughn, and Martha Wolfe. We meet once a month to discuss, brainstorm and develop programs and initiatives related to areas of membership. Watch for updates about the committees other programs and initiatives in future emails. 

By the way - if you're curious about what other commitees that SAQA has you'll find that information on the SAQA website here:

http://www.saqa.com/about.php?ID=72 

Sue Bleiweiss 
MA/RI regional co-rep 
Membership committee volunteer 
Mentorship program coordinator 
http://www.suebleiweiss.com 

Note Sue's call for more mentors!  If you would like to participate as a mentor, Sue would love to talk to you!

Chris is starting with a mentor in the next week or so.  If being mentored (a 'mentee') is of interest to you, again, Sue would love to connect with you and answer your questions.  Don't be intimidated by the fact there is a waiting list.  Having a mentor for a particular period of your artistic life might just be what you need to overcome a block, focus your process or your voice...And its another way to build relationships in an organization so large and far-flung.

I for one am curious about the process, and will be following Chris' posts about it as she and her mentor work together.

Fiberlandia Highlights III: The Panels - Part A

For your summer reading pleasure...

The Panels at the SAQA conferences are, for this attendee, a major highlight -- and the three presentations in Portland did not disappoint.

Rosalie Dace

The first of these was a panel of International Artists, moderated by Rosalie Dace (South Africa).











The Panel members were:

Maggie Vanderweit (Canada)

Hsin-Chen Lin (Taiwan)

Sue Dennis (Australia)

Gul Laporte (France)

Rosalie, as moderator, titled their presentation " Dancing on a Tightrope".  From my notes -- taken during her intro -- defining the 'tightrope' artists walk these days:

• In this time of changing views of art and beauty, how do we keep our balance between the buzz of the new and the security of what we already know?
• How do we know what to keep and what to dismiss as a trend?
• Looking at how the world changes...no matter how technological things become, it's still about the human hand.
• Our views of people change...as do aesthetics.

Then each panel member spoke.  First up, Maggie Vanderweit, a SAQA Central Canada member whose work took a prize in the National Juried Show at Quilt Canada this year.  Again from my notes:

• All of us are walking on the tightrope -- "hands off!" -- learning to let go. An example? Parenting...and then,,,the empty nest,
• We are on journeys.  Going from here to there, we may feel safe, but there's always a risk.
• Sometimes we are sitting still, waiting for things to come to us.  It will be safe, for there's a 'net' -- a community.
• Making takes courage, vision.
• Cited: Kandinsky - considering the spirituality in art.

Second, Gul Laporte, a SAQA Board member and textile art consultant, writer, teacher and curator.  She is fascinated by the way artists interpret so differently the same thing. Her observation: it is important to be open to others and what other artists are doing.

Third, Sue Dennis, an artist and tutor from Australia, and a SAQA Co-Rep (Oceania):

Image from The Galipoli Quilt

• For her, the tightrope is walked by artists engaging with the environment and the landscape.
• She uses strong oranges and colours drawn from the Australian Outback.
• New Zealand, on the other hand, is very green due to its landscape and vegetation.
• The relative isolation of the Oceania region means that artists there don't necessarily follow American trends.
• Cited: Down Under Quilts and Down Under Textiles - two magazines specific to Australia and environs.
• Cited: the work of Dianne Firth - torn strips, net and felt landscape art and architecture; and the Galipoli Quilt, the inspiration for which was drawn from what the artist knows.

Lastly, Hsin-Chen Lin - who, unable to speak English well, presented a video of her work which is inspired by nature and the environment.  She is the current curator for the Taiwan International Quilt Exhibition 2016.  You can see more of her work in that of the international artist groups 15 x 15 and Viewpoints 9.

Below: the YouTube video she prepared for us.  Enjoy!

Coming up on the blog: Fiberlandia Highlights III: The Panels - Part B - the Local Artist Panel.  Stay tuned!

Fiberlandia Highlights II: The Breakout Sessions - Part B

Lyric Montgomery Kinnard

The second session I attended at the Portland Conference was presented by Lyric Kinnard.  Her topic was one that swirls around artists with great regularity, and shows up in a variety of guises on SAQA's General Yahoo Group...like it did this past week, in response to this question from member Roxanne in North Carolina:

Hi Everyone,

This question applies to all you.  If you are new to art quilting, what is your biggest question about making/designing art quilts?  If you have been around a while, what was your biggest question when you were getting started?  Any and all replies are appreciated!

It wasn't long before member Cathi Nelson wrote this:

As a new Art Quilter the thing I struggle with the most is confidence.  Having no formal art training I question my designs.  I compare my beginnings to others who have been on this journey awhile.    I have a multitude of ideas swirling around in my head and in my sketch books but struggle to commit to fabric.  In the six months I have been working on art quilts I think the key to developing my skills will come through continual trial and error, study, and time.  

I struggle with "Voice" but it is probably too early to  discover what that is.  I struggle with validation, can I really do this? I have come to a point in my life where this is not just something to do.  It is a passion.  I feel like it is taking a long time to get where I want to go.  I use my own hand dyed fabrics which is a time consuming process in its own right and could probably have a lot more work finished if I used commercial fabric but then this partly defeats my purpose and passion.

... Struggles are with confidence, the need for validation, voice, and direction.

I'll venture that every single one of us -- new to art quilting or not -- struggles with this (or something very like it; the language around this issue is as individual as each artist) from time to time.

Enter Lyric Kinnard, with her breakout topic, "Failure is an Option: Why Making Bad Art is Vital to Your Success".

Her point?  Right up front: acknowledge the fact that "To be a good artist, you have to make bad art on a regular basis."

Then she asked her audience, "What is FAILURE?"  To which we replied...

• Not meeting expectations (our own or other people's)
• Not doing art
• Making ugly work that is irretrievable (can't be fixed)
• Can't get started
• Hesitation/procrastination
• Disappointment
• It can't get worse!
• Rejection
• Fear -- of failure
• Fear -- of success
• Being stuck

And she asked..."What are the consequences of failure...in the Real World? Are there any?"

NO.

"Failure" is more about a learning process than the outcome of that process.

The artist's job is to make art.  The artist is a human that is doing a project.  Part of the process is to figure out what does and doesn't work.

We need to give ourselves time to be imperfect, time to learn.

"Talk back to the Voice in your head!"  Be aware of it, forgive it for it's bad behaviour -- and forgive yourself.  Let go of your mistakes/"bad" work.

Don't worry about what you've no control over. 

Your work (what you produce) is NOT part of your self identity.

How do you turn failure into something positive?   This too is a process:

• Stop what you're doing;
• Analyze what you're doing;
• Tweak it;
• Do it again.

"There are always parts of the [artistic] process that I don't love."

What stops us?

• An unexpected outcome;
• Not being able to achieve our goals;
• Boredom;
• Fear of ruining the piece.

There is often a gap between our taste and our ability (skill level).  It takes time and work to shrink/close that gap.  

• Give yourself that time.
• Do that work.
• Reign in your imagination.
• Focus on the goal in front of you.

Then Lyric turned to us to answer our own questions, thus:

• What do I want as an artist?
• Who do I want to be?
• What do I want to create?
• Why do I have this goal?
• Am I wandering from my goal(s)?
• If yes...what is happening now that's an expected outcome?

From there...

• Gather your tools;
• Gather your techniques;
• Give yourself space;
• Do something different.

When does the Muse show up?  When you are in the midst of doing the work.

If you fear wasting time/money/materials/opportunities...Give yourself 15 minutes of "bad art time" and then get going!

How do you keep the work going?

• Make lists;
• Leave the last thing to do undone;
• Clean your studio - clear your space;
• Touch the fabric;
• Set boundaries (limited palette, limited time to work, limited subject matter...);
• Jump in over your head;
• Don't compare your inside to someone else's outside.

Who do you think YOU are?

Today on the 'Net...

SAQA Europe/Middle East member, Gillian Cooper of Scotland is a favourite blogger of mine.  Today she gives great tips on how to make the most of your next museum visit.

And on Facebook...SAQA shares this article which includes mention of the exhibit, "Radical Elements", now showing at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.  The article includes a description of "Cu Around", the piece contributed by SAQA WC member, Karen Jurek of Alberta.

You might want to check 'em out!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know...

Q: How do I know who the other SAQA WC members are, and where they live?

A: If a member wants to see all the SAQA WC members, all s/he has to do is:

• Log in to SAQA website;
• Click on the "Members" tab;
• Click on "Member Resources";
• Click on "Membership Directory":
• Click on "Basic Membership Directory";
• For "Region" select "Equal" and "Western Canada";
• Click "Search".

Margaret here: I've done this and it works.  All 91 members show up in alphabetical order, with e-mails. (Further details are available if you click on "details".)

"All Beings Confluence" Panel-making Workshop -- Weyburn, SK, August 2015

In addition to the four exhibits of textile art running in galleries in Weyburn, SK, Martha Cole will be teaching a five-day workshop at the Signal Hills Arts Centre there.

Martha Cole

What? "All Beings Confluence" - Panel-making Workshop

When? Monday, Aug. 24 through Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

Time? 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m.

Where? Signal Hill Arts Centre,  424 - 10th Avenue, Weyburn, SK S4H 2A1

Instructor? Martha Cole, SK Fibre Artist

Cost? Early Bird Registration (before Aug. 1): $250 per person (plus supplies)

Regular Registration (after Aug. 1): $275 per person (plus supplies)

**REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO 10 PEOPLE!

REGISTER EARLY!

Other helpful information:

Requires sewing machine in good working order

Registration includes $50 materials fee and GST

A supply list will be provided upon registration

Workshop Description and Objectives:

Interested individuals are being invited to create long, narrow panels, each

depicting a single life form or species. Each panel is made of sheer materials, either

painted or stitched, and varying in size from 12” - 14” wide and 8’ to 12’ long. The

completed panels are installed to fill a whole area and hung in such a way that a single

Being/panel is never seen by itself, but always “in community” with the other Beings

embodying and reinforcing the interconnectedness of the Whole……...thus the name

“All Beings Confluence.”

Goal: To inspire the creation of panels everywhere the installation occurs.

N.B.:  An installation of “All Beings Confluence Panels” can be viewed in Weyburn at the

United Church (210 3rd St. NE) during July and August.

For further information, contact the Signal Hill Arts Centre

Tel: 306-848-3278 or e-mail aneufeld@weyburn.ca

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!

Fiberlandia Highlights II: The Breakout Sessions - Part A

On the first full day of the Fiberlandia Conference (Friday, May 1), attendees "broke out" into the first of three concurrent sessions following the first Key-note address by Namita Gupta Wiggers.  Each attendee was able to go to one session in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Which session you attended was determined by your first and alternate choices, which you were to choose when you registered for the conference. When your registration was confirmed, you received confirmation of which ones you'd got into, and when.

The three offered this year were:

Sue Reno - Develop and Sustain Your Daily Artistic Practice.

Lyric Kinnard - Failure is an Option: Why Making Bad Art is Vital to Your Success.

and Carolyn  Higgins - Master Social Media and Rule the World (or Market Your Work)









I attended Sue's and Lyric's sessions, so these are the ones on which I'm reporting here.  :-)

First, Sue Reno: Develop and Sustain Your Daily Creative Practice

Sue is a studio art quilter and SAQA Juried Artist Member (JAM).  She defines a "daily creative practice" as something an artist does daily to inspire her work.  Her own particular practice?  A self-assignment: take a photo every day.  This is just one example...Now for the heart of the matter...

Following her introduction, Sue began by giving us guidelines she's identified as ways to both develop and sustain one's creative practice.

1. Define Your Creative Goals: how do you define success?
• primarily artistic
• personal satisfaction?
• peer recognition?
• larger art world recognition?
• self-expression
• informed by life experience -- sharing your story, travel, education, training
• make money with your art?
• selling your work -- where?
• in galleries?
• as licensed images?
• supplementing income with teaching? writing?
• change the world with your art?
• primarily political?
• work used as graphics
• work used as networks
• work shown in relevant exhibits
2. Define Creative Practice:
• DAILY is key
• enhance your current skill set?
• building blocks for Works In Progress?
• outside the current trends:
• escape others' expectations
• freedom of expression
• fresh perspectives
• cross-training with other media
3. Setting Up the Mechanisms:
• finding your creative *spark*
• a serendipitous approach or...
• a calculated/intentional one
• NO excuses!
• Consistency is KEY!
4. Roadblocks:
• experienced by everyone
• things happen
• NO guilt!
• overcome a block by...
• doing something for others/the common good
• rediscovering sources of joy
• do something to enhance your self-worth, self care
• set deadlines
• have an artistic partner or be part of a small group - for accountability 
5. The Outcome of Creative Practice (the rewards):
• personal satisfaction
• new and expanded skill sets
• tangible results - finished work!
• becoming prone to the unexpected, the hitherto unimaginable
• "Chance favours the prepared."
6. Documentation:
• journal or sketchbook
• digital presence

Sue then expanded on the above points by choosing to enlist the help -- via PowerPoint presentation -- of several of her SAQA colleagues.  Here are just a few examples (out of a dozen) of those who shared their creative habits.  Each artist is different and distinct with respect to her work, which makes this a particularly intriguing selection of colleagues:

Natalya Aikens:

• multiple projects on the go at the same time
• is there a need for a quilt?
• regular "Artist's Dates" (Julia Cameron)

Allie Aller:

• has to play with her needles daily
• solitude, quiet, alertness/awareness
• maintain a playful attitude but...
• have a serious commitment to the work

Pat Bishop:

• uses photos for inspiration
• works in a series
• dig out previous compilations or abandoned segments
• look for "happy accidents"
• abstraction is freeing
• "If I like it, that's all that matters."

Susan Brubaker Knapp:

• productive in short bursts
• takes photos while dog-walking
• always has a sketchbook or hand-work on the go
• integrate art work into the reality of life

and last but not least...

Sue herself:

• time management
• daily outdoor photos - various lenses
• line up easily-achieved practices
• hand-work in the evenings
• set aside longer blocks of time for designing

And before you take the plunge to set up your own systems, pause to reflect.  

Ask yourself:

• How well do I respond to regulation?
• set realistic goals
• a daily task should be rigorous enough to reap benefits but not so demanding that you rebel against your own self-imposed tyranny!
• How will I hold myself accountable?
• can I answer to myself honestly?
• do I need a partner or a critique group?
• in person?
• online?

Then...Get Ready:

• Develop your strategy:
• Establish criteria for your practice, even if it's arbitrary at first;
• Patterns will emerge as you go along;
• Determine what type of task(s) to practice:
• repetitive?
• innovative?
• a mix?

Get Set:

• The Gathering:
• materials, tools
• work-space
• storage space
• samples as prompts
• a travel kit for work away from home

GO!

That sums up my time with Sue Reno...and this post is long enough.  Next up: Lyric Kinnard.  Stay tuned!

May I Introduce You?

In less than 3 weeks, SAQA Western Canada has acquired two new Co-Reps!  Briefly mentioned in my last post, please welcome the Newest 'Kid' On Our Block:

Valerie (Val) Wilson
posing next to her creation, French Wonder
(Click on Val's name to find her website)

Like Coleen, Val is a seasoned artist.  She is a member of both the Fibre Art Network (FAN) and SAQA, and has contributed to exhibits for both organizations.  I asked her to tell us a bit about herself, so without further ado...

I have been quilting since 2000. I had always wanted to make quilts, like my grandmother had made – all scrappy and soft colours. My friend talked me in to making a couple of block of the month, and mystery, quilts. These were fun and a great learning experience. I learned, especially, that what I really wanted to do was make pictures with fabric.

My passion is to capture unique moments in time in my quilts. Although I occasionally dabble in abstracts, I find that I am drawn back to realism. I love using colour, and the tactile qualities of fabric and thread, to create original art.  I find my inspiration in the world that surrounds me, but I am particularly drawn to subjects in history, and nature.

Always seeking knowledge, and wanting to develop my expertise further, I have trained with fibre artists from around the world. With a love for being involved in any organization of which I am a member, I became the Fibre Art Network (FAN) Membership Co-ordinator in 2004, when I joined this co-operative of professional, Western Canadian fibre artists. And now a SAQA co-rep!

My award-winning work has been exhibited from British Columbia to St. John’s, Newfoundland in Canada, and internationally from New Zealand to Houston, Texas. I have a solo exhibition coming up in 2016 at the Portage Arts Centre Art Gallery, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

I teach courses on a regular basis both here in Winnipeg and across Canada.

I was born in Carberry, Manitoba, among the rolling sand hills. Craving change, I sampled life in the university town of Kitchener-Waterloo for a few years, but then decided that I could no longer resist the pull of the sunny climes of Manitoba, and now reside in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

With a full complement of Co-Reps once again, SAQA Western Canada is ready to take on a retreat, "pod" activities, and the up-coming All-Canada/All-SAQA combined exhibits, "My Corner of the World" and "My Corner of the World: Canada".  I don't know about you, but for me, it feels like the start of a new year!  ;-)

P.S. For Facebook fans, you can find each of us there:

• Coleen:  https://www.facebook.com/coleen.adderley?fref=ts;
• Val: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Valerie-Wilson-Fibre-artist/206565396056492?fref=ts; and
• Yours truly (Margaret): https://www.facebook.com/MarginMirror

Watch This Space...

For another new face!

SAQA member, Valerie Wilson of Winnipeg, MB, is our newest Regional Co-Rep for SAQA Western Canada (focusing on SK/MB area).  We had the pleasure of meeting her recently at Quilt Canada in Lethbridge, and then I was able to speak with her at length by telephone just prior to her accepting this volunteer post.  Coleen and I are looking forward to working with her over the next year or two.

I've asked Val to give us a bit of personal info about herself, and about her artistic journey...and a photo for posting in the right side-bar of this blog.  Currently...that's Val's lovely contribution to the 2015 SAQA Benefit Auction: "Bliss".  She is known for her portraiture and her depictions of the natural world.

Please welcome Val -- and stay tuned for an update so you can get to know her better!