It’s Fiber Art Season! Openings and Events this Weekend

Three fabulous fiber art events will take place this weekend in Western CT and just over the New York border.

In DANBURY, CT:

Local Color Opens Saturday May 4, 2013 at Western CT State University
Opening Reception 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Our very own traveling exhibition, Local Color, premieres Saturday May 4, 2013 at the Ruth Haas Library at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT. 

The show includes 49 works of fiber art by members of SAQA-CT, celebrating the beauty and diversity of Connecticut. It will be on display at WCSU until June 13, 2013, with additional locations to follow. 
Local Color catalogs are for sale while supplies last.  Visit our Facebook page for updates: Local Color: Fiber Art in Connecticut

For SAQA-CT Members: A short regional meeting will begin at 2:30 pm at the library, with the opening reception immediately following.

Less than 20 miles away in SOMERS, NY:

Northern Star Quilters Guild Presents: “World of Quilts XXXIV” 
Saturday May 4, 2013 and Sunday May 5, 2013

Northern Star Quilters Guild’s 34th Annual Quilt Show will be held at John F. Kennedy High School in Somers, NY.

The two day event includes an exhibition of traditional quilts and art quilts, lectures by SAQA artists Joe Cunningham and Teresa Barkley, demonstrations, quilt appraisals (by appointment), and over 30 vendors.  Raffle prizes include this gorgeous quilt made by Northern Star Quilters Guild members.

For more information including parking and directions to JFK High School in Somers, visit NSQG’s website:
http://northernstarquilters.com/quiltshow/2013-quilt-show

And just 5 miles from the World of Quilts show, in KATONAH, NY:

“Beyond the Bed: The American Quilt Evolution” at the Katonah Museum

Beyond the Bed is an ongoing exhibit that traces the dynamic evolution of the North American quilt – in form, fashion, and function – from the beginning of the 19th century to the present day.

Six of the quilts were included in the exhibition and book “The Twentieth Century’s Best 100 American Quilts”. It will be at The Katonah Museum of Art in Katonah, NY until June 16, 2013. www.katonahmuseum.org

New Exhibition by CFAC “Botanical Inspirations” coming to Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens (Stamford, CT)

The Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens present:
Botanical Inspirations: Capturing Nature in Fiber

Meet the Artists
June 9, 2013
12:00 - 4:00
During the month of June we invite you to view the art work while touring the beautiful grounds! The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective is a group of artists dedicated to fiber and mixed media.

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
151 Brookdale Road
Stamford, Connecticut
www.bartlettarboretum.org
203.322.6971

(Image: Orange Daisy by C.Vinick)

The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective
Participating Artists: Diane Cadrain, Carol Eaton, Mary Lachman, Karen Loprete, Rosalind Spann, Antonio Torres and Carol Vinick
Learn more about CFAC on their blog: www.ctfac.blogspot.com

Opening Reception for FANE April 28, 2013 (Mahopac, NY)

SAQA-CT artists Nike Cutsumpas, Barbara Drillick and Norma Schlager are among the artists participating in “Poetic Fragments” at the Mahopac Library from April 27 – May 30, 2013.

This is the fourth annual show by FANE (Fiber Art North East).  FANE member Norma Schlager had this to say on her blog:

“If you are in the area, we are having a lovely reception on Sunday with wine and goodies, so please stop by. The reception room opens onto a balcony overlooking the Mahopac River and it promises to be a good weather day. You can sip your wine on the balcony if you want.  I will post pictures of the show next week.”

Learn more about FANE here: http://fiberartnortheast.blogspot.com/

Mahopac Public Library
668 Route 6
Mahopac, NY 10541
(845) 628-2009

Congratulations, artists!

Kate Themel Featured in Quilting Arts

SAQA-CT artist Kate Themel was interviewed by Vivika Hansen DeNegre for the April/May 2013 issue of Quilting Arts magazine. 

The 5 page article reveals how Kate handles rejections and acceptances in a similar way, why she prefers fabric to paint, and her goals for the future.

“A Conversation with Kate Themel” contains photos of five of Themel’s recent works of fiber art, including this portrait of Kate’s brother Patrick (Nomad in the Desert seen below).

You can read an excerpt of the article here: http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blogs/quilting-daily/archive/2013/02/26/figurative-quilt-art-a-conversation-with-kate-themel.aspx

“Local Color” Catalogs are Here!

The catalogs are printed and they look great! Pre-ordered copies will be shipped out this week.  You can purchase your Local Color catalog while supplies last, through the SAQA Store: http://www.saqa.com/store.php?cat=26

Curators Kate Themel and Diane Wright will be (bragging about Connecticut!) bringing some catalogs to SAQA’s “Expanding Horizons” Conference in Santa Fe, NM later this month. 

The books will also be available for purchase at the premiere of “Local Color” on May 4, 2013 at the Haas Library in Danbury, CT.

Check the exhibition’s Facebook page for additional information and updates:

Local Color: Fiber Art in Connecticut

New Fiber Arts Classes Offered at Mystic Arts Center (Mystic, CT)

Mystic Arts Center is expanding classes to include fiber art, with new faculty member Suzi Ballenger. But they need your help to fill the classes and let people know about the new programs.

Studio Programs Manager Carlene Bermann: “I have been having a difficult time getting enrollment, as these aren’t the types of classes we generally offer (which is why I was so excited to offer them!). As a weaver and craftsperson myself, I am eager to offer more classes in 3D mediums”

Please visit MAC’s beautiful facility in scenic Mystic, CT and try your hand in weaving or wearable fiber art!  Each class is offered as a Sampler (one day) or a Series (6 weeks, 1 class per week).  See below for details:

NEW CLASSES:

Weaving: Basics but not Plain! Suzi Ballenger

Working on your own rigid heddle loom, explore texture, color, pattern, and hand manipulation techniques for creating patterns on cloth. Learn how to plan a project, select appropriate thread and yarn, wind and beam a warp, and then follow through with your design. The use of unusual, recycled, and up-cycled materials and fibers is encouraged. Equipment and loom rental included in class fee. Students are responsible for providing their own yarns and threads. 
*This class would not be possible without a generous loan of looms from the Slater Mill Museum in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Sampler
Friday, April 12, 4pm - 6:30 pm
Members $40 / Public $45  

Series
Fridays, 4pm – 6pm
April 19 - May 24
Members $160 / Public $180

Textiles: Fashion Smart to Fashion Savvy Suzi Ballenger

Explore the science of fashion, starting with an introduction to the world of textiles, from fibers to fusing to felting and beyond! This course will incorporate new technologies and materials into textiles using LEDs, conductive thread, insulating and recycled materials to make wearables shine with brilliance. Each student will receive their own electronics ‘kit’ to work with during their textile fashion explorations. Materials provided and included in class fee.

Sampler
Monday, May 13, 7pm – 9pm
Members $40/ Public $45

Series
Mondays, 7pm – 9pm
May 20 – June 24 (No class 5/27)
Members $145 / Public $165 

Mystic Arts Center
9 Water Street
Mystic, CT 06355
(860) 536-7601
Email: info@mysticarts.org
Website: http://www.mysticarts.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysticartscenter