New Book by SAQA-CT Artist Dawn Allen

Attention cat lovers, practitioners of meditation and fans of fiber art! SAQA-CT artist Dawn Allen has published a new book

The Art of Meditating with Cats features 27 colorful, whimsical fiber art quilt cat portraits and over 20 heartfelt meditations for all humans to enjoy. 

Written and illustrated by well-known animal communicator, author, and artist, Dawn Allen.

This book offers the calming benefits of meditation and enhances the already close bond people have with their cats. 

Each meditation includes a fun, colorful illustration of a cat and clear instructions for different meditation themes and techniques. It is an uplifting book.

The Art of Meditating with Cats is available on Amazon and on Dawn's website dawnallen.net

VIsit the LOCAL COLOR Exhibition as a Gallery Guest

Here's your chance to explore Local Color 4: Rails, Roads & Rivers at the Windsor Art Center. This exhibit has been extended until June 27, 2020. The Windsor Art Center is currently accepting guests into the Gallery by appointment only What does this mean?  If you’d like to see this extraordinary exhibit, simply call Willa Nemetz at (860) 841-0368 or send an email to willanemetz@comcast.net  Let them know which day/time you would like to visit (please choose from the days/hours below).  Gallery visits will be scheduled in 1/2 hour increments and are limited to groups/totals of five or fewer people. · Thursdays from 6 PM to 8 PM · Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM · Sundays from 11 AM to 4 PM They will get back to you and confirm the time and date of your visit. For more information, please visit the Windsor Art Center at http://www.windsorartcenter.org/

Artist Spotlight: Meet Phyllis Small

"The Artist Spotlight" is a new feature on the SAQA-CT blog. 

During this pandemic, we are all trying to stay safe and keep others safe. Social distancing and avoiding large groups make it impossible to hold regional meetings for now. As artists, we often find ourselves isolated in the studio. So maybe we are better prepared to shelter in place. But that doesn't mean we don't miss our regional get togethers! It's important to keep in touch and stay connected as a group. But for now we'll need to find creative ways to do that without seeing each other in person.

Check in with us at least once a month, to get to know your fellow CT artists. We will highlight one artist at a time, sharing their thoughts and photos of their work. All interviews will be saved on the "Artist Spotlight" page of this blog, so you can easily find them. 

Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

From your SAQA-CT Reps

Kathy Nutley

Kate Themel

To kick off this new tradition, please welcome Phyllis Small, from West Hartford, CT

(This interview is featured in the June 2020 Newsletter)

Check Phyllis' Facebook page to view her "Quarantine Quilts":

https:www.facebook.com/phyllis.small.9

Connecticut Hang-A-Quilt Day - June 20, 2020

Bring Some Art and Color to your Neighborhood on Connecticut Hang-a-Quilt Day

This community building event is sponsored by the Farmington Valley Quilt Guild. 

You can participate simply by hanging a quilt outdoors on that day. It can be in your front yard, in a park, at a local business, with a sign or not. You can hang it from a tree, a fence, a gate, a rail, a chair, a clothes line, or any other creative way you can think of.

Take a photo of your quilt outdoors and send it to SAQA-CT Rep Kathy Nutley at: knutley1223@gmail.com and they will be posted on this blog.

Be inspired by the 100+ photos of the 2019 Hang-a-Quilt Day posted on Instagram and Facebook #CTHangAQuiltDay  Let’s share our wonderful art form!

Rain date June 21, 2020

Windsor Art Center Reception CANCELLED

The WAC opening reception for Local Color 4: Rails, Roads, and Rivers, originally scheduled for March 21, 2020, has been cancelled due to concerns about Coronavirus.      

At this time we are being told that the exhibit will go on and the WAC will remain open during its normal operating times.   The public is invited to visit during those times.   

Guilford Art Center - Call for Entry

Guilford Art Center:   CALL TO ARTISTS

FIBER FORWARD 2020: BIENNIAL EXHIBITION
Call for Submissions

Fiber works have evolved throughout history from utilitarian usage as clothing, for warmth and traditional décor, to innovative, “outside the box” and nonfunctional uses (sculptural, conceptual, installation-oriented), particularly in the realm of contemporary art and practice. This exhibition calls for works in all fiber media and techniques that reflect the best current explorations by contemporary American artists.

Exhibit Dates: June 12-July 19, 2020

Juror: Marcia Young, Publisher/Founder of Fiber Art Now, a quarterly print and digital magazine for the contemporary fiber art community, and the Fiber Art Network, which supports artists, collectors, enthusiasts, and leaders in the fiber art and textiles community.

Eligibility: This exhibition is open to works in all fiber media, including mixed media. Open to U.S. residents.

Awards: $500 in prizes to be awarded by the juror.

Entry Deadline: April 24, 2020

• Click here to download CFE

Countdown to March 7th Meeting - WHAT, WHO, WHERE

March 7th is fast approaching!  You need to know:

*  The Windham Textile and History Museum opens at 10:00 am.

*  Maureen Lopes and Kathy Bagioni will be collecting LC4 art work.  Maureen will be delivering the art work to the Windsor Art Center the following Saturday, March 14th.

*  We will be enjoying a presentation and display by Catherine Whall Smith entitled,  “Documenting What You Do”.

*  Catherine Whall Smith will also be collecting pieces for Gallery 53 show at the meeting.  She plans to have extra Gallery 53 forms available for entry. Remember this is an all-pieces-welcome show. Check the last newsletter for entry fee. 

*  Rita Hannafin has been instrumental in arranging for Lois Palmer to appraise art pieces at the meeting. Lois requests that you email her directly at lpalm5647@gmail for further information and scheduling.