Valarie Poitier, Rep for SAQA-MA/RI, reports on the Opening of “No Holds Barred”, an expansive exhibition of fiber art that she spent more than a year organizing. Congratulations, Ms. V!
Well the time came and went for the opening celebration. What an amazing experience. There was the sun shining and a clear highway to drive on on the way to Lowell, MA.
We had standing room only at the Exhibition. Twelve of the artists were present hailing from Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Five of the current SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) Representatives from the New England States and one former Rep were also in attendance. The support of the Reps, exhibiting artists, artists who answered the Call for Entry, museum staff and volunteers, the team that worked on the proposals, our distinguished jurors, and the SAQA staff and volunteers all working together in various capacities over the past three years has resulted in a wonderful collection of Contemporary Quilts.
When you look at the exhibit you see the latest techniques being used today across the country, in fact, by art quilters not only in SAQA here in the states but around the world.
There was hand quilting, machine quilting, dyed fabrics, stenciled and silk screened marks on fabric, commercial and whole cloth works, paint acrylics and oil stick, yarn, metallic and cotton threads, shibori and other techniques used. Whatever is considered 'leading edge art quilt techniques' was found in the exhibit today. There are also two quilts that are part of the permanent collection by artists who were juried into the exhibit on display.
(Image: BEYOND THE OBVIOUS by V. Poitier)
In two other galleries you will see two different displays of antique quilts. There is so much to see…both antique and contemporary quilts….
Thank you all for your contributions to this local exhibition!
Best Regards,
Valarie Poitier
Natick, MA
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The “No Holds Barred” Exhibition will be on display at the New England Quilt Museum until April 9, 2011
Several special events are planned at the Museum during February and March, including:
- Feb. 5 Lecture: My Journey by Celeste Janey
- Feb 12 Lecture: Art Quilts by SAQA’s Exec. Director, Martha Sielman
- March 5 Workshop & Trunk Show by Wen Redmond
- March 19 All Call SAQA Meeting - members of the six states who participated in the "call to entry" have been invited and they will be there to share one on one about their work and their SAQA experiences.
Check out the No Holds Barred blog for more details: http://saqane2011news.blogspot.com/
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