Showcasing Talented Quilt Artists - Genre Neutral!

Maybe some of you are like my cyber-friend, SAQA member Susan Lenz.  Maybe you've never even heard of The Quilt Show (hosted by Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson).  Maybe you've never even heard of by-subscription programs you can watch on your computer.

Or maybe you're like me and struck gold when you found these sorts of programs a few years ago.

May I recommend a couple to you:

First, yes, The Quilt Show (or TQS)...on which several SAQA members have appeared over the years -- and some more than once!  Susan happens to be on the latest program, and for a limited time non-subscribers can watch her in the episode HERE.

Recently, Lyric Kinard made an appearance -- her second, I believe.  Other SAQA members who've been guests on TQS include Sue Bleiweiss, Katie Pasquini Masopust, Jamie Fingal, Jane Dunnewold, Jean Wells Keenan (twice), Leslie Tucker Jenison, Leni Levinson Wiener, Wendy Butler Berns, Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry, Joe Cunningham, Hollis Chatelain...to name just a few.

Annually, TQS honours a Quilting Legend (or Legends)...including our own Yvonne Porcella in 2010...

In addition to the shows, TQS has built a quilting community through the use of their forum, their blog, and their social media presence.  There's lots to see and do and learn for quilt artists of every shape, size and taste!

Another show by subscription is Design Matters TV (DMTV), produced by the mother-daughter team from the UK, Linda and Laura Kemshall.  This is a more expensive subscription -- in part due to the exchange rate! -- and the shows are shorter in duration (20 to 30 minutes versus the almost-an-hour-long Quilt Show), but there are new episodes more often than with TQS.  There are no featured guests (to date, anyway).  However, it is a close-up look at the work that Linda and Laura do, and usually features a tutorial on a technique for sketchbook (to be taken then to fabric) or directly on fabric.  Art quilting is their specialty, and they share their talents, experience and knowledge with generosity and humour.

When it's time to settle in to a snowy afternoon at the sewing machine or a wintry evening's hand-stitching, I suggest you tune in, turn on, and enjoy!  :-)


............REMINDER!  REMINDER! REMINDER!............

The DEADLINE for entering My Corner of the World and My Corner of the World: Canada is 11:59 P.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME TONIGHT!

Coming Soon to North Vancouver...

SAQA member Catherine Nicholls (B.C.) and her colleague, Elizabeth Harris, are hosting an Open House at Catherine's studio in North Vancouver.  If you are in the neighbourhood, you might drop in, enjoy the artwork, and maybe even pick up a gift or two in advance of the holidays...

Something New This Way Comes

In Edmonton...opening soon at the Art Gallery of Alberta ..."Charrette Roulette: FABRIC".  a format to collaboratively workshop solutions, generated by a group of creatives: artists, architects, designers".

The "Charrette Roulette" program has been running since last May (2015).  The AGA describes it as "

The "FABRIC" portion of this program, running November 21, 2015 through April 10, 2016 will bring the reality of a textile workshop right into the Art Gallery.  The artists collaborating on this program are Yvonne Mullock and Teng Teng Chong.


There is a variety of events surrounding this ongoing exhibit.

• Saturday, November 21, 2015 - noon - a textile printing workshop - exploring cyanotype printing with fabric while learning more about the whole exhibit from the artists.  
• Cost: $15.00
• Register HERE.
• Do It Yourself - Collectivity and Collaboration in Edmonton: 
• Runs November 26, 2015 through March 5, 2016;
• A "survey" of local artists that highlights the artists' responses to the challenges of working collaboratively in various collectives in Edmonton over the past several years.
• Location: the AGA at the University of Alberta Museums Galleries in Enterprise Square, downtown Edmonton.

Live in Edmonton?  Travelling there this winter?  You might want to check this out!

(Thanks to the Focus on Fibre Art Association for putting me on to this unique series of arts events.)

Art Quilts for Sale!

Those of you entering the juried shows, "My Corner of the World" and/or "My Corner of the World: Canada", will have noticed that to participate you have to offer your piece(s) for sale.  If this is a new experience for you, please have a look at the resources on the SAQA website and elsewhere...as outlined wonderfully in THIS BLOG POST by SAQA Atlantic Canada's blogger, Susan Lilley.

I am indebted to Susan because I've been under the weather with a cold for the last week and haven't had enough brain cells operating to think to post about this myself!  :-)

And What of Photography?

Earlier this week I had a query from a Calgary-area member about photographing her quilts for entry.  I am blessed with a daughter whose photography skills have lead to her being published in books and calendars, and to having her work for sale independently and in shop(s) in Edmonton...so I left my photos up to her!

If you aren't so lucky...check out the article on photographing your quilts HERE on the SAQA website (in Member Resources).  In addition, in the Member Mentorship Webinar recordings for 2010 you will find a recording by professional photographer, Gregory Case, which should be helpful.  (Those of you who are long-time subscribers to The Quilt Show will likely recognize Mr. Case's name; he's appeared several times on that show over the years, discussing tips and techniques for photographing your work.)

And...don't forget your colleagues!  Several of them have successfully entered juried shows and/or had their own solo exhibits...so don't be afraid to check with those you know who've got experience in this area.

Best wishes for success to all who enter!

"Canadiana" Exhibit Back in Canada

Having toured in New Zealand earlier this year, the Fibre Art Network exhibit, "Canadiana", curated by SAQA member Pippa Moore of B.C., returned to Canada and opened at the Langley Centennial Museum, Langley, B.C., in August.  It runs there through November 8, so if you're in the area in the next week, be sure to catch this beautiful show!

Participating artists who are SAQA members, in addition to Pippa, include Diane Duncan (Alberta), Terry Aske (B.C.), Jaynie Himsl (SK), Judi MacLeod (B.C.), Joyce Brown (AB), Marcy Horswill (B.C.), Judith Panson (MB), Karen Johnson (B.C.), Terry Phillips (B.C.), Helene Blanchet (Atlantic Canada, formerly in AB), Jenny Perry (B.C.), Diane Firth (AB), and Katie Stein Sather (B.C.).

Coming Up in Winnipeg!

Shared by Val Wilson, Co-Rep (MB/SK)...via Facebook...

This event runs at the Winnipeg Art Gallery on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7.   Included in this show and sale is the work of fifty artists, including SAQA Western Canada member Cathie Ugrin of Winnipeg.

For details about the event, admission information and workshops on offer, click HERE.

What a great time to be visiting Winnipeg!

Another Exquisite Exhibit

I subscribe to the blog written by member, Lesley Turner, of B.C.   Yesterday she posted about a beautiful exhibit now on at Portals in Duncan, B.C., under the auspices of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council.

Entitled "Garden Tapestry", the exhibit features work by the members of the VISDA -- Vancouver Island Surface Design Association -- including B.C. SAQA member, Sarah McLaren.  For photos of some of the artists with their work, check out Lesley's blog HERE.

And if you are fortunate enough to be in the area...

Thanks, Lesley!

Addendum

Alberta member Trudy Cowan recently sent me this photo of a portion of the "Fire & Water" exhibit on through October 31 at the Fish Creek Library in Calgary:

Trudy also supplied a bit more information about the group behind the show - fibre art explorers:

Fibre Art Explorers  (FAX) is a group of seven art quilters in the Calgary area who challenge, support and simply enjoy each other and each other's work - Trudy Cowan, Karen Jurek, Lil Mountjoy, Colleen Peake, Fran Sayles, Marilyn Samuels and Suzanne Stranks.

Do drop by to take in this exhibit if you are in the area in the next week!

On NOW in Calgary!

If you're going to be in Calgary and environs in the next couple of weeks, be sure to stop in to the Fish Creek Library!

Two Calgary area SAQA members and three others have mounted an exhibit entitled "Fire & Water", showing currently through October 31.  The artists are SAQA members Trudy Cowan and Karen Jurek, with colleagues Lil Mountjoy, Colleen Peake, Marilyn Samuels and Suzanne Stranks.

All are members in "fibre art explorers".  Member Karen Jurek tells me that for 2015-2016, the group will be working on the theme, "Earth".  Stay tuned for more from these talented artists!

Lava Flow - Karen Jurek - prize-winner, CQA 2005

Note:  the exhibit may be seen during usual library hours, which are 10:00 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10:00 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fridays; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturdays; and noon - 5 p.m. Sundays.  Location and directions may be found on the Library's website.

Radical Elements = Artistic Fascination

In case you don't follow the SAQA Yahoo group...I'm delighted to share this link with you:

http://hyperallergic.com/236928/quirky-quilts-inspired-by-the-periodic-table/

The link is to an article in "Hyperallergic" about SAQA's currently-touring exhibit, Radical Elements.  Alberta member, Karen Jurek, has a piece in this show; her chosen element was copper and her piece is entitled 'CU Around'.  Her piece is mentioned specifically in the article.  The author, Claire Voon, took wonderful photographs of the exhibit hanging in the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.  The reader will feel as if s/he is there in person.

Congratulations again to Karen for being juried into this show!

CU Around - (C) Karen Jurek, 2013

Note: Radical Elements closes in Washington, D.C. on October 19.  It's next scheduled venue is the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts at the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, May 28 - August 27, 2016.