NEWS UPDATE!

SAQA WC members Lesley Turner and Barbara McCaffrey are also members of the Vancouver Island Surface Design Association...which has an exhibit on NOW at the Portals Gallery, run by the Cowichan Arts Council.

Entitled "Current Threads 19", it includes work Lesley showed earlier this year in Gimli, Manitoba, as part of an exhibit by the group known as Articulation.  It also includes Barbara's piece entitled "Ogham, Oracle of the Trees".

Lesley reports about the Opening Reception HERE.  It will be up through October 24 -- which is Thursday THIS WEEK.  If you are in the area, and haven't seen it but want to...get thee to the gallery pronto!

• Gallery Location: 2687 James Street, Duncan, B.C.
• Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Over and out!  😉

Exhibits -- Recent and Ongoing

A week ago I stumbled over an exhibit that was opening in La Conner, Wa.  The stumble was made on Facebook, with photos from B.C. member, Katie Stein Sather.  I got a bit more info from her -- but not the dates of the show.

Sigh.

I thought I had some time to group her part in the exhibit with other posts from other members about their work -- because, frankly, I don't like to innundate members with several posts in a clump.  I'd rather showcase two or three events in a single post.

This time it backfired on me.  Today -- and Fridays seem to be my best days to post at the moment -- I went to the link Katie sent me for the venue, only to find out that the venue was the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum and the event was the International Quilt and Fiber Arts Festival 2019 -- which ran from October 10 through October 14.

And Katie -- per her post -- had five pieces of work in that show!  Well done, Katie!

For those of you not on Facebook or Instagram, here are the photos she shared on FB, over which I stumbled.  They reflect her love of nature, and her passion for wielding a paddle in a canoe.  Enjoy!

Meanwhile, MB/SK member Cathie Ugrin and her collaborator, photographer Dmitry Kirshner weren't cowed by the blizzard that blew through Winnipeg recently.  Undaunted, they moved their Opening Reception from October 11 to the 16th -- and the show goes on!

• Where?  cre8ery Gallery, 125 Adelaide Street, Winnipeg, MB;
• When? On through October 30.  Gallery hours: Tues. - Fri., noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m.
• What? "Viewpoints: A Unique Photofabric Journey" that encompasses contemplation, creative voice, seasons, collaboration, texture and movement.

Here are a couple of examples -- photos shared by Cathie on her Facebook page:

For more information about Cathie and Dmitry and their work, check the gallery's website HERE.

And now a word from your Editor:

 I've been a member of the Blogger weblog "community" since 2003 because, well...I like to write, and to tell about the processes involved in my artwork, as well as to express ideas and thoughts on a variety of topics.  Currently, in addition to my personal blog, I maintain a blog for my parish church and I contribute every other week to posts on the blog owned by the shop where I work part-time.  I also have two Facebook pages (one personal, one business), and manage two others (parish church and local community).

I've been the collator and/or Editor of this blog for about six years now (with time off briefly while Val Wilson took it on.  Thanks Val!) Most of the "news" I glean by accident -- usually via Facebook through pages of friends and colleagues and/or the SAQA Members Only page.  I also follow a few SAQA WC members who post regularly to their own blogs, so pick up news from reading their posts.  Other news is sent to me directly by the Regional Rep(s) -- and very occasionally I will get a direct request to make a post on behalf of someone leading a workshop, for example.  Sometimes, as you read above, I collect the news but...there's a short time-line by the time it finds me (or I find it!) and while it's still worth sharing, it also may be just a touch out of date. 

I try to post every week or two, as long as I can find something interesting going on to share with readers who might not be on Facebook or Instagram, or who might be in another Region (yes; we have readers in other parts of Canada, as well as in the U.S. and Europe/Middle East).  And every few months (or as needed) I update the information in the left side-bar re: SAQA events, our reps' contact info, and our membership list -- with links to their websites or blogs if available.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but blogs tell the story behind the pictures -- and that's why I've enjoyed blogging so much for so long.

That said, sometimes...well...it's time for a fresh face, a fresh voice on the page.  So...if someone out there is a story teller, if someone feels called to share SAQA WC news with his/her colleagues, and/or if someone hankers to suss out this news on a variety of social media and present it here for those who prefer this space to others...Please let me (Margaret) -- or Jennie Johnston (Co-Rep, B.C.) or Susan Selby (Co-Rep, MB/SK) know.  I'm thinking January 1, 2020 -- ending this decade with a face to the future -- would be a good time to pass the torch.  And thanks for your support! 

It's October 4...

And that means there are fewer than three (count 'em!) months left to the deadline for entering the "Colour With a 'U'" Call for Entry.  SAQA WC's Co-Rep for MB/SK is on the committee charged with recruiting artists for this exhibit, and she's sending along these words to encourage any who are working on their entries, have just started them, are still pondering them, or didn't plan to answer the Call.  You know who you are... 😉

You will never have a better chance!

You will never have a better chance to have your work accepted into a SAQA exhibit.  The ‘Colour with a U’ call for entry is an all Canada  and Canada only SAQA  show.  The exhibit organizers are expecting about 100 artists to enter pieces into this call.  Between 30 and 45 pieces will be chosen for ‘Colour with a U’ and a further 10 to 12 pieces chosen for a smaller exhibit ‘Colour with a U Too’.  Both will tour around Canada for three years.

Can you do the math?  Your chances of your work being chosen are excellent, especially since only one work per artist will be accepted.  The deadline is January 3, 2020:  you have time.

You will be able to take ‘Get into a SAQA Show” off of your bucket list.

-- Susan Selby, SAQA WC Co-Rep, MB/SK

  (emphasis from the Blog Editor) 

Week Three at the Benefit Auction!

The final week of the 2019 SAQA Benefit Auction -- Section Three selections -- kicks off this afternoon.  Congratulations to Karen Johnson, Linda Ingham, Marie McEachern, Susan Selby and Terry Rammel, all SAQA Western Canada members whose work sold in Section 2.  Unsold quilts remain available for purchase in the SAQA Store through December -- and there's a great selection, perfect for holiday gifts!

This third section includes work by these Western Canada members:

The selection also includes pieces by a number of well-known artists, among them Margaret Abramshe, Susan Shie, Deborah Boschert, Jean Wells Keenan, Judith Trager, Jane Dunnewold, and Katie Pasquini Masopust.  What wonderful company we get to keep when we participate in SAQA's fund-raising auctions!  Our next opportunity to contribute will be the Spotlight Auction for MoSAiQA, the 2020 Conference in Toronto.  Submission forms will be available November 1. Stay tuned!

The K's Have It!

Karen Cummings and Karlie McChesney, that is.  Both have exhibits on now and in the near future that came to my attention this week.

Karen Cummings shows and sells her work at the Okanagan Art Gallery in Osoyoos, B.C.  It's a co-operative gallery that features the work of twenty-five artists, including Karen.  She says that she tries to change out the works every two months, and that she creates an e-mail invitation each time she has a new showing.  When she posted the photo of this single piece on Facebook, she reported that is was only her third 'statement' piece -- and a powerful statement it is too!

Someone Knows - (C) Karen Cummings

Someone Knows - Detail

This is Karen's statement about this particular work:

The above piece will be at the Okanagan Art Gallery through October and November.  There will be a reception at the Gallery on Friday, October 4, 2019 -- in the tradition of their First Friday events, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at 8302 Main Street, Osoyoos, B.C.  (Call 778-437-2238 or e-mail office@okanaganartgallery.ca for more information.)

Meanwhile, Karen is now working on three large pieces featuring the hand-printed fabric with which she enjoys working.  We look forward to seeing more of your work, Karen!

*****    *****    *****

Another B.C. member, Karlie Norris McChesney is known for her work featuring complex and colourful geometric shapes that appear three-dimensional.  Last June her work was included in the Fraser Valley Biennale at the O'Connor Group Gallery in Chilliwack. B.C. 

Karlie explains, "The 2019 Fraser Valley Regional Biennale is a dynamic, collective representation of exceptional artwork produced by artists in the Fraser Valley region over the past two years. Small, tailored iterations of the exhibition will be presented at multiple venues throughout 2019, culminating in a full showing at The Reach from October to December.  The exhibition is planned by The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford in partnership with the Abbotsford Arts Council, the Mission Arts Council, the Kent Harrison Arts Council, and the Chilliwack Visual Artist Association."

In her statement about the work showing in the Biennale, Karlie writes:

All things mathematical inspire me.  I love to solve puzzles especially those with 3-D form; like origami modulars.  I am drawn to the accurate meticulousness required to make origami. It has a simple complexity; simple because it is paper folded and creased, and complexity because intricate shapes are constructed. I became even more intrigued with origami after watching the documentary 'Between the Folds' by PBS's Independent Lens. It demonstrated how mathematics and physics have informed origami structure.

My work explores how 3-D models can be represented in a 2-D format. 'Box Patterns' depicts 7 of my favourite origami boxes accompanied by the unfolded paper pattern to assemble the box.  The colour on the 'pattern' piece shows the placements of the inside, outside, and hidden parts of the folded paper used to construct the box.  The plastic embellishments tell the number of papers used and folds needed to make each box.

Karlie is also pleased to announce that she's returning to the O'Connor Group Gallery for a solo exhibit  that runs from early October through mid-November...

About her work for "Crossroads", Karlie shared this information:

Karlie's art making frequently explores her love of perspective and structural form.  Her art practice requires much measuring, calculating and arranging of colour, so much so that her work is a form of puzzle solving. Her preferred medium is fibre in the form of stitched textiles with an element of mixed media applied to the surface or standing as an installation accompanying the 2D work; these materials include paint, paper, plastic, metal, clay, and/or wood.

This body of work is her response to a time of great change in her life, where many decisions were required. All the pieces of work contain a path representing the choices a person has available to them and a container representing the restrictions or parameters that influence the decision making process.

Karlie is a retired art teacher from the Chilliwack School District.  She is an active member in SAQA (Studio Art Quilts Association), FAN (Fibre Art Network) and in the CVAA (Chilliwack Visual Artists Association).

This is Karlie's first solo exhibition and she is very excited to share it with you. She invites everyone to join her at the Opening Reception on October 12, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in the O'Connor Group Art Gallery, 9201 Corbould Street, Chilliwack, B.C.  

The exhibition runs from October 10 to November 16. Gallery hours are 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm, Wednesday to Saturday, as well as 6:30 – 7:00 pm preceding evening theatre performances.  Admission is free.

(C) Karle Norris McChesney

If you are able to view one or both of these exhibits, we're certain they won't disappoint!

Thanks to Karen and Karlie for sharing this news with their colleagues 

through the SAQA WC blog.

The 2019 Benefit Auction Rolls Along!

First off, congratulations to SAQA WC members Judy Leslie, Debbie Plett and Nancy Riemersma, whose pieces were sold in Section 1 of the bidding!  (Pieces that aren't sold during the auction are still available for purchase in the SAQA store, at $100 USD plus shipping.)

Section 2 is now open for bidding.  Again, it's getting off to a slow start (only 1 piece purchased as of this writing at 4:40 p.m. Mountain Time) but...as Yogi Berra used to say, "It's never over till it's over!" 

One hundred and six quilts have already been sold, for a total of $20,850 USD (That's over $27,400 CAD!)  That's a lot of funding for education about art quilts, and for shipping!  With postage costs destined to increase now that the U.S. appears to be pulling out of the international Universal Postal Union, this is valuable support from our members to keep our work "out there" going forward.

And who in the Western Canada region is showing in Section 2, you ask?

What a variety of styles, palettes and compositions!  Prices on these pieces decline daily through Saturday, September 29.  For details on how to bid, or how the auction works, click HERE. 

And thanks to everyone whose contributions will make this auction successful!  😊

Following the Auction...

The Annual SAQA Benefit Auction got underway on Friday, with three pieces selling on "Diamond Day"...but NOW the fun really starts, as the first section is up for bid for this week.  With the starting price of $750 from noon (Mountain Time) on September 16, dropping to $550 at noon today and so on...it's off to a slow start.

I'm thinkin' folks are waiting to see "how low will they go?" before putting in a bid.  That's what makes this sort of gamble rather fun.

Looking through the pieces up for sale in Section One, who's there from SAQA Western Canada?  I found...

and

and 

and 

A diverse and interesting selection!  If one of these would suit you -- or be the perfect gift for someone you know, take note...and keep your eye on the auction to get in at the right time, the right price!  Prices drop daily through September 21.  For more information on pricing and other Benefit Auction details, check the Guide & FAQs -- and have fun!

Registration is Opening...

for Valerie Wilson's latest workshop, Facial Expressions.  

Does this describe you?

• You want to create a portrait in fabric but don't know where to start;
• There's a photo of a grandchild, parent, friend or spouse that you would like to do in fabric; or
• You simply want to try something new. 

If so, Val invites you to sign up for this workshop to learn more about the ins and outs of creating fabric portraits.  You can get all of the details and to register, click HERE.  

Detail of Val's "Hockey Boy"

You're Invited to Join the Conversation!

That was the "fall-out" from the First Ever SAQA WC Regional "Zoom" Meeting on Sunday, August 18th.  There were six of your SAQA WC colleagues in attendance -- and two of them were your Co-Reps, Jennie Johnston of B.C. and Susan Selby for MB/SK.  Three more were former Co-Reps -- Valerie Wilson, Dawn Piasta and yours truly (Margaret Blank).  Brigitte Red from B.C. rounded out the group.  Perhaps more of you might have been there but were out of town; nonetheless...we missed you!

It's hoped that there'll be another such online gathering in a few months, so please stay tuned for date and time - because you missed an interesting and inspiring hour of getting-to-know-you-better conversation.

One of the topics that took up a great deal of our time together was the subject of Entering Juried Shows: the themes, the size requirements, the costs, the benefits, the nerves (Rejection?!  Aaaargh!)  

Each one of us has experienced the highs and lows that come from Putting Our Work Out There in public -- whether in a group show, a solo exhibit, in a gallery or Show-and-Sale, or as an Artist in Residence.

Most recently, Susan's been celebrating the acceptance of a piece to the SAQA Juried Global Exhibit, Upcycle! which opens at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX, this fall.  I mentioned this in the post introducing her to our Region -- but now she's been able to share with us a photo of her piece entitled Riparian Autumn:

Riparian Autumn - Susan Selby

Specific to this discussion was the Call for Entry for the up-coming All-Canadian exhibit, Colour with a 'U'.   More than one of us expressed reservations about the theme -- mainly because, well, we just couldn't seem to "get it"!

But Susan?  She was excited!  She urged us to read the Prospectus at least a dozen times, slowly, carefully and thoughtfully.

After the Zoom call ended, I did just that...and got an idea for a piece that is now in the "research-and-sample" stage.  Clearly Susan's enthusiasm was catching...and so I'm sharing it with you now -- in her own words:

Colour with a U: You Should Read it Once More

...and then once more again.

I have been encouraging fellow fibre artists to enter “Colour with a 'U’", the upcoming SAQA Canadian exhibit opening in March 2020.  A few artists have told me they are having difficulty finding their creative inspiration for this show.  I have encouraged them to read theCall for Entry several times, focusing on one section at a time.  The theme is very broad, the size has very few restrictions and many interpretations are possible, making the choice challenging.

So, I encourage you to read the call again, find a phrase that speaks to you, let it simmer in your artistic brain and then be inspired to create. Some of the words I like are unusual, unexpected, unbound (you mean we don’t have to finish the edges?) and uncanny; all words to describe fibre art and fibre artists.  The theme is Canadian values of diversity and inclusion; our art is certainly diverse and includes anything and everything we can dream of. There are questions asked such as ‘How do you colour yourself into our Canadian culture?’ Your art can answer one of these questions.  

One discouraged member just wrote to say she has found her creative spark with a further reading of the prospectus and is off and running with enthusiasm.  We still have four months before the deadline of January 3, 2020, which gives us plenty of time to work.

And while you are visiting the SAQA site, watch out for more news about the SAQA 2020 Conference in Toronto.  I hope to see you there.

Now to find my own inspiration,

Susan Selby, 

SAQA Western Canada co-Representative (MB/SK)

Meanwhile, Valerie Wilson can help -- if you have an idea for the Call for Entry but...

• You want to know how to blend values;
• You want to be able to determine value in fabrics;
• You want to be able to select fabrics in the right values for a portrait; and/or
• You want to be able to to use shading to create dimension.

She asks you to imagine for a moment what it would be like to: 

• Easily identify value and choose fabrics effortlessly;
• Know how to blend values; and
• Create depth and shading in a portrait.

And she assures you this can happen!

Valerie has mounted a FREE Five-Day Values Challenge that offers to help you develop these skills -- which just might give you the confidence to answer that Call.  Check out her website HERE for more information.

ON NOW in the Gulf Islands

It opened on July 25, but this exhibit by the members of Island Textile Artists (ITA) will be up through August 30 -- in the front lobby gallery of Artspring, Salt Spring Island.  SAQA WC member Karen Selk has a piece in the exhibit, so if you're travelling 'round the Islands in the next few weeks, do try to stop in!

Artspring is located at 100 Jackson Avenue, Salt Spring Island, B.C.

Karen tells us she also has a piece in an exhibit entitled Connections coming up in Arizona in October, so stay tuned for more about her work.