“Think Outside the Blocks” – Exhibition of Fine Art Quilts by Fiber Revolution

This February, Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) will host an exhibition of art quilts by Fiber Revolution.

Think Outside the Blocks

Feb 25 – April 23, 2010

NVCC Fine Arts Building

Theater Entrance, 3rd Floor

750 Chase Parkway

Waterbury, CT 06708

http://www.nvcc.commnet.edu

Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm.

(Postcard image: Blushing Triangles by Gloria Hansen)

Opening Reception: Saturday, February 27 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Fiber Revolution is made up of professional textile artists from the Northeast region of SAQA, combining their knowledge and experience in marketing to exhibit and sell their artwork.

Think Outside the Blocks participating artists include: Natalya Aikens (NY), Benedicte Caneill (NY), Melissa Fowler (NY), Cindy Friedman (PA), Gloria Hansen (NJ), Kevan Lunney (NJ), Barbara Barrick McKie (CT), Kris Moss (NY), Norma Schlager (CT) and Kate Themel (CT).

About Fiber Revolution

Fiber Revolution is a group of 30 artists from NJ, PA, DE, NY, MA, and CT who meet primarily online to support each other by marketing, and securing venues to show and sell their fiber art. Each artist has a unique vision and style but they all have a love for fabric, texture and color in common. The fabric compositions are like paintings meant for the wall but they have more interest and relief due to the techniques used to change the surface, such as machine and hand stitching, including quilting and embroidery, paint, dye, beads, computer generated imagery, stamping and printing.

The Fiber Revolution members are: Virginia Abrams, Natalya Aikens, Benedicte Caneil, Lisa Chipetine, Rachel B. Cochran, Nike Cutsumpas, Susan Ferraro, Melissa Craven Fowler, Ed-Johnetta Fowler-Miller, Cindy Friedman, Antoinette Hall, Jutta Halpin, Gloria Hansen, Eileen Lauterborn, Katherina Litchman, Kevan Lunney, Barbara Barrick McKie, Kris Moss, Elizabeth Poole, Jeri Riggs, Linda Rogers, Carol Schepps, Norma Schlager, Deborah Schwartzman, Melanie Testa, Kate Themel, Gwyned Trefethen, and Carolyn Lee Vehslage.

REMINDER: “Cacophony of Fiber” Call for Entries, Deadline is January 30th

Cacophony of Fiber

Exhibition Dates: March 4 – April 31, 2010

Deadline for Entries: January 30, 2010

Rose Room Gallery in the Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach, FL

An international fiber invitational featuring artists using fiber in exciting and novel ways. Fiber art quilts will be joined by weavings, rug hooking, plus three-dimensional constructions and installations using fiber, wire, metal, clay and/or plastics.

Works will be reviewed and selected by the curator and her committee. 

Schedule:

• January 30 : All entries should be emailed to peabodyexhibit@gmail.com or mailed to Mary McBride, 413 Albany Avenue, DeLand, FL 32724
• February 15: Applicants will be notified. It is understood that the work selected may be sold or be unavailable before the exhibition and other works may be submitted for approval by Feb. 1.
• March 1: Accepted works can be hand delivered between 10 AM and 6 PM.
• February 26: Mailed works (postage is the artist’s responsibility) must arrive on or before date.
• Mail to Mary McBride, 413 Albany Avenue, DeLand, FL 32724

APPLICATION: Each artist should submit a package of material including the following:

• Entry Form: A copy of the entry form may also be found at www.marymcbridearts.homestead.com. Please rename LASTNAME ENTRY.DOC
• Images: Up to 6 images of work on a CD. JPEG images should be 300 DPI and at least 3” wide. Images should be labeled LASTNAME_TITLE_SIZE.
• Listing: A list of these images in the same order as on the CD, stating the title, size and price of each work. Label document LASTNAME LIST.DOC
• Fee: To cover costs, a $20 application fee is required. There will be no further fees for artists selected.

All items can be contained on the same CD or emailed to peabodyexhibit@gmail.com. Mail check separately.

Sales: Peabody does not handle sales. All interested parties will be referred to the curator who will handle the sales for the artists for a 10% fee or the artists can use their own sales program.

Gallery Hours: The Rose Room is open to the public on weekdays between 10:30 am and 4:00 pm and also prior to performances in the auditorium.  There is no charge to view the original works of regional, national, and international artists.

Cathy Smith, March 2010 Featured Artist at the Artists’ Cooperative (Westerly, RI)

The Artists’ Cooperative of Westerly Rhode Island showcases the work of a different artist each month.  Cathy Smith will be the featured artist for the month of March 2010.   The Artists’ Cooperative has moved to a new address, after spending almost 2 decades at their building on High Street. 

Celebrate the Opening of the Artists’ Cooperative’s new location on Wednesday February 3rd from 5:00pm to 8:00pm during the Westerly/Pawcatuck first Wednesday Art Stroll.

Artists’ Cooperative, 7 Canal Street, Westerly RI 02891

(401) 596-2221

www.westerlyarts.com 

Regular Gallery Hours: Tues. – Sat. 10:00am – 5:00pm

TIME SENSITIVE: “heART for Haiti” needs artwork, patrons and publicity

WHAT: heART for HAITI is an artist-conceived fundraiser to benefit Save the Children

Five Connecticut galleries are teaming up to sell artist-donated work that will benefit Save the Children’s Haiti relief and recovery efforts with the goal of raising $1 million dollars.
Artists are invited to participate by donating a work of their choice, and the public is encouraged to visit the galleries and purchase art during the Artwork Sale + Reception on January 29 + 30. Information on how to donate a work of art and event reception details can be found at

http://heartforhaitict.tumblr.com/

WHEN: Artwork Sale/ Reception: Friday, Jan 29, 6 - 9 pm & Saturday, Jan 30, 12 - 3 pm
WHERE: Galleria d’Arte Ridgefield, 3 Bailey Ave, Ridgefield
Rockwell Fairfield, 1630 Post Rd, Fairfield
Rockwell New Canaan, 9 Burtis Ave, New Canaan
Rockwell Westport, 15 Myrtle Ave, Sconset Square, Westport
Rockwell Wilton, 379 Danbury Rd, Wilton

CALL FOR ARTISTS:
heART for HAITI is seeking artist donations to one of our five locations throughout Connecticut. For information on how to donate artwork to heART for Haiti, please visit:
http://heartforhaitict.tumblr.com/#344696622

TIME SENSITIVE: ART MUST BE DROPPED OFF WED. 1/27 and THURS. 1/28

Participating artists (as of Jan. 25): Francie Ashforth • Vincent Baldassano • Elise Black • Andrea Bonfils • Maya Boreen • Phyllis Clamage • Ann Conrad • Carol Conze • Jo Ann Davidson • Steve Desloge • Cecily Garver • Jim Felice • Leslie Guiliani • Ron Heinken • Ted Horowitz • Billie Jean Sullivan • Heidi Lewis Coleman • Shelley Lowell • Janice Mauro • Dona Menton • Michelle Miller • Constance Old • Deb Owen • Yolanda Petrocelli • Gay Schempp • Denyse Schmidt • Lynn Stephens Massey • Emma Sutherland • Jane Sutherland • Margaret Waage • Peggy Weis • Raychel Wengenroth • Sharman Wheatley • Torrance York

CALL FOR PATRONS:
The public is invited to attend the Artwork Sale + Reception: Friday, January 29, 6 to 9 pm and Saturday, January 30, 12 to 3 pm. The donated works of art will be for sale and donations to Save the Children are encouraged. Come early for the best selection of art work.

CONTACT:
PRESS: Amy Kundrat | amy@ark-projects.com  | 203.820.1147
GENERAL INFO: heart4haitiCT@gmail.com

Don’t Miss the 3rd Annual Fiber at The Garde: "Standing Ovation"

Presented by New England Art Quilters.  See the exhibition now through February 28, 2010

            The Garde Arts Center

             325 State Street

            New London, CT  06320

The exhibition can be viewed during box office hours, Monday--Friday, 9-4, and before and after all theater performances.  For further information go to www.gardearts.org or call Linda Sexton-Patrick at 860 625 5951.

Barb McKie’s “Eye to Eye” Featured in upcoming Quilt Life Magazine

The upcoming April 2010 issue of The Quilt Life highlights Barbara Barrick McKie’s work and features her art quilt “Eye to Eye” in the Table of Contents (check out page 60!).

"The Quilt Life is Ricky and Alex's new magazine for quilters published by the American Quilter's Society.  The Quilt Life will focus on the life of a quilter and feature quilting as a way of life as well as showcasing beautiful quilts, patterns and techniques. This fresh, new quilting magazine will have something for everyone.” ~Machine Quilting Unlimited, Jan. 2010

This new magazine will be available on line as a subscription and in stores this Spring.  Congratulations Barb!

Art Quilts : Contemporary Expressions from the Collection of John M. Walsh III

Morris Museum | 6 Normandy Heights Road | Morristown, NJ 07960

January 13 – April 25, 2010

More than 35 art quilts from the collection of New Jersey resident John M. Walsh III are on view at the Morris Museum. Representing the creative genius of highly skilled and academically trained studio artists, Art Quilts: Contemporary Expressions from the Collection of John M. Walsh III explores the intriguing fusion of materials and techniques that are redefining the contemporary quilt movement. The artists whose work appears in this exhibition have pioneered innovative design and construction techniques, transforming textiles into objects of phenomenal expressive depth.

To find out more, visit The Morris Museum website: Art Quilts Contemporary Expressions

500 Art Quilts: On Bookstore Shelves this Month

Originally planned for March 2010, Lark Books’ 500 Art Quilts is ahead of schedule.  The 8x8 paperback, celebrating contemporary works of fiber art, will be released at the end of this month.  Advanced copies have been sent to the featured artists, and have been received with pride and excitement.

SAQA-Connecticut members Liz Alpert Fay, Margaret Phillips and Barbara McKie are featured in 500 Art Quilts: An Inspiring Collection of Contemporary Work.   Barbara McKie received a copy this week and had this to say about the book: 

“Much to my surprise I received my 500 Art Quilts book this morning! Wow, what a great medium we all work in with wonderful work going on!  Very well organized in that each two page spread works to compliment each piece.  Organized by theme and color, but it keeps moving and the themes come up many times as you go through the book. To find any particular artist, you have to go to the index. Allow at least 3/4 of an hour just to browse through the work.”

.

SAQA is represented well; members from the USA and around the world are included in the book.  Dena Crain (Kenya), Pat Dolan (Pennsylvania), Noriko Endo (Japan), Jamie Fingal (California), Gloria Hansen (New Jersey), Jean Judd (Wisconsin), Pat Kumicich (Florida), former SAQA Presidents Judith Content and Yvonne Porcella, and Gwyned Trefethen of Massachusetts (whose quilt “Botswana Beauty” is featured on the title page), are some of the artists in 500 Art Quilts.*

Lark Book’s 500 series (including subjects like Handmade Books, Baskets, Beaded Objects and Ceramic Sculptures) is a celebration of art and fine craft. 

The art work in 500 Art quilts is presented with beautiful full color images, juried by Karey Bresenhan.  

Published by Lark Books

 

*  Of course this is not a complete list but just the ones I knew of at blog-post-time.  Please leave a comment if your work is included in 500 Art Quilts.  Thanks, and Congratulations to all the featured artists!   –Kate Themel

Call for Entries “Roots, Mutations: Evolution” UPDATED GUIDELINES Deadline 5/1/10

Attention SAQA Artists in NY, NJ and CT

Please consider entering your work into this prestigious show.  Size requirements have been reduced.  Your work may be 24” wide on either side.  Maximum width 36” , maximum height 48”.  See below for a full list of requirements and submission process. 

ROOTS, MUTATIONS: EVOLUTION

Deadline for submission is May 1, 2010

No submission fee

Quilt Requirements:

• UPDATED Size Requirements: Quilts must be between 24" and 36" wide and between 24" and 48" high
• Quilt must relate to the show theme: "Roots, Mutations: Evolution"
• Quilt must meet the SAQA definition of a quilt-two or three layers of fabric held together with stitching.
• Quilt must lie flat for shipping-no frames, stretchers or mounted quilts
• Quilt must have a 4" rod pocket on the back for hanging
• Quilt must be labeled with the title; and name, address, email and phone number of the artist
• Quilt must have a protective pillowcase with title and artist's name on outside for identification
• Because quilts will be traveling to multiple venues and will be packed and unpacked many times, embellishments should be firmly attached. Delicate or fragile surfaces and items are not recommended.

Submission process:

• SAQA members in good standing from NY, NJ and CT may each enter up to three pieces.
• Deadline for submissions will be May 1, 2010
• Entry is by digital image only. Images must be 72 dpi and approx. 9" on any one side.
• Images must be clear and show the edges of the quilt; send one overall shot and one close-up of each quilt
• Please label each entry in this manner: Artist last name__title of quilt__size in inches
• Each entered quilt must have an accompanying artist statement which explains the relationship to the show theme and must include the title, completion date, dimensions and materials used.
• Send the image as an attachment and quilt title, artist's name, address, email and artist statement in the body of an email to:  Email Leni Wiener

Accepted Works:

• Chosen quilts must be available to travel from July 2010 until June 2011
• Artists whose work is chosen must pay a nominal fee for insurance (unless they carry it privately)
• Accepted works must arrive by July 15, 2010. Do NOT mail quilts until instructed to do so.
• Artist must supply pre-paid shipping label for return of quilt

Venues:

Presently, the show is scheduled to be presented at the following venues (this schedule may change, and/or other venues may be added):

• World Quilt, August 2010
• PNQE, September 2010
• PIQF, October 2010
• World Quilt Florida, November 2010
• Mid-Atlantic, February 2011
• New Jersey, March 2011
• Denver, May 2011

Please direct any questions to Leni Levenson Wiener:

click here to Email Leni Wiener

SAQA NY co-reps;

Jane Davila

Leni Levenson Wiener

Community Threads and Gee’s Bend – Quilts Decorate the City of Hartford

Community Health Services (CHS) in Hartford CT is sponsoring “Community Threads”, a City-wide celebration of quilts and fiber art, to coincide with the Hartford Stage’s musical production “Gee’s Bend”.  

Now through February 28th, 2010

Over one hundred quilts have been loaned to public venues around the city.  Antique bedding and historical quilts can be seen along side contemporary art quilts; work by Gee’s Bend quilters and Connecticut fiber artists lend inspiration to “first-timers” working on Hartford’s community quilt.  

You don’t need to be a quilter to enjoy the history and beauty on display in our State’s Capital region.

CHS hosted a kick-off party last Thursday, January 7th.  Over 100 people attended the event, including Mayor Eddie Perez, representatives from local galleries and museums, and various Connecticut artists. 

Cathy Smith, Jutta Halpin and Betty Warner were among the crowd, and were able to see several art quilts on display in the CHS building.  Jutta Halpin’s “Koi Fish” is hanging in the Reception area, while Cathy Smith’s “Where’s Hillary?” and Diane Wright’s “Tidepooling” are being exhibited on the second floor.

Take a tour of Downtown Hartford to find: “Falmouth Rocks” by Ruth Anne Olson, “Metropolis” by Gail Kotowski, “Ephemeral Balance” by Betty Warner (see image, center left) , “Country Scene” by Aurelle Locke and “Ladders” by Vivika DeNegre (see image, bottom left).

Linda Zimmerman loaned her art quilt “Sunset” and Betty Warner has 4 pieces with Community Threads - “More Than Ever, A Beacon of Hope” (see image, top  left), “Together We Can Bridge the Divide”, “Abstract Feather” and “Fabric Grid”.

EdJohnetta Miller has generously loaned her own quilts and several pieces from her private collection to the Hill-Stead Museum (Farmington CT), Stowe Visitor Center and the Katherine Day House. 

The Community Threads project is creating a “buzz” around Connecticut. 

Helen Ubiñas of The Hartford Courant: http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/courant-columnists/hc-ubinas-quilts1227.art.artdec27-col,0,6014267.column

Nancy Schoeffler, also of The Hartford Courant: http://www.courant.com/features/home-garden/hc-home-quilts-0108.artjan08,0,641796.story

Don’t miss the Community Threads’ Bus Tour 

Sunday, January 24th and Sunday, February 7th

Includes continental breakfast, lunch and a matinee performance of “Gee’s Bend” at the Hartford Stage. 

To find out more about the tours and get a list of participating venues, visit:

http://www.community-threads.com

Check out Gail Kotowski’s Solo Show

 

A collection of fiber art by Connecticut artist Gail Kotowski is on display now at the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA), located at 30 Bank Street in New Britain, CT.  The show, “Art & Fiber by Gail Kotowski” will run through the end of February. 

An opening reception is planned for January 11, 5:30pm – 6:15pm in the CBA Third Floor Gallery.

The gallery is open during normal business hours and guests are asked to check in at the Member Services desk on the first floor.

Congratulations Gail!

 

Happy New Year!

May you enjoy good health, happiness and creativity

this year and always