Our Next Regional Meeting: Jan. 17, 2015 at Hartford Public Library (Hartford, CT)

SAQACT regional meetings are open to SAQA members and their guests. 

Reminder: MEETING RAFFLE - Don’t forget – if possible bring an item for our raffle. All monies collected will be added to out SAQACT account.

Sign-up for LUNCH
Thank you to our Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective (CTFAC) hosts – we will be able to provide lunch for $10 per person.  DEADLINE to sign up for lunch is Tuesday, January 13th, 2015. Please contact Catherine Smith of your intent smith.catherine62@gmail.com

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RE: SAQACT- Next Regional Meeting - Saturday, January 17th, 2015 

PLACE:  Hartford Public Library
500 Main Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103  
(860) 695-6300

PARKING is available in the garage in back of the library as well as on-street all around this venue.  Check website for directions at hplct.org.

10:00 a.m. – Meet on the Main Level of the Hartford Public Library’s Center for Contemporary Culture.  Sign in to the meeting and if you have pre-registered for lunch  - pay at this time.

10:15 – 11:00 Presentation by CTFAC members: Christina Blais, Diane Cadrain, Carol Eaton, Mary Lachman, Karen Loprete, Linda Martin, Wanda Seldon, Rosalind Spann, Antonia Torres, and Carol Vinick. 

CTFAC members will talk about the development of their organization and their latest exhibition, "Art, History and Social Activism: CTFAC Honors Romare Bearden”.  The show will be on display at the Library from December 17, 2014 – March 13, 2015.

(image: Diane Cadrain stands with her exhibition piece "Fragile Ties")

Besides participating in the show the CTFAC artists will also have their hand-crafted items (scarves, jewelry, hats, pillows, notecards, placemats) for sale. 

11:15 - SHOW AND TELL – please limit to one or two pieces each

NOON - LUNCH

1:00  - The Library's Meet the Artists of CTFAC reception is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on the 3rd Floor, West. This event is free and open to the public.

For Sale: Portfolio 21 Martha Sielman has notified us that we will be able to offer the Portfolio 21 at the discounted price of $20 at this meeting. 

Up-date:  PARLOR MEETINGS  - Co-rep Barb Adams was able to schedule a small Parlor meeting for five members in her region.  They gathered the first week in December and made plans to do it again in January.  They did a “Show and Tell” and peer consultation which made for a lively discussion.  Barb noted “that the fact that none of us knew each other well added to the fun.  Making new friends is an excellent benefit of SAQA.”  

NOTE* We are always looking for new venues to hold our state meetings – we have some new possibilities but are always in need of your input – maybe in Southwest CT.

We end 2014 very thankful to all of you - your support, your friendship, and your willingness to be a participating member of Studio Art Quilt Associates.
This past year presented many opportunities for us to grow as a group and there is so much more ahead in 2015.
Our best to you, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year 2015!!    

Barbara and Catherine 

Visitors Enjoy First Friday and a Fiber Art Christmas Tree at the New Britain Museum (New Britain, CT)

SAQA-CT members were treated to food, music and artwork at the New Britain Museum of American Art's "First Friday" event on December 5th. Here are some pictures from the event (photos by Catherine Whall Smith)

This beautiful tree is decorated with various forms of fiber art created by SAQA-CT artists

This and other holiday trees will be on display at the New Britain Museum until January 4, 2015.

NBMAA Hosts Events on the First Friday of each month from 5:30-8 p.m.
$10 for Museum members, $15 Non-members
$3 for beer and wine, soda is free
First Friday features live jazz music performed by local and nationally known musicians. Attendees have the opportunity to view the Museum’s premier permanent collection, which includes 300 years of American art. Experience art activities and have intriguing gallery talks while you mix and mingle with other art and jazz lovers. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, and soda will also be served during the event.

New Britain Museum Of American Art
56 Lexington Street
New Britain, CT 06052
www.nbmaa.org

 

SAQA CT Members Await the NOR'EASTER (in a good way)

Congratulations to SAQA-CT artists Phyllis Small, Catherine Whall Smith and Kate Themel, who will see their fiber art hanging in the New Britain Museum of American Art (New Britain, CT) as part of NOR'EASTER: The 45th Annual Juried Members Exhibition.

(image: In the Hay Field/Night by C.Smith)

The Annual Juried Members Exhibition is the New Britain Museum of American Art's opportunity to expose contemporary visual arts to a wide audience. This prominent showcase in the Northeast region highlights the exceptional work of emerging artists in all media.

Catherine Whall Smith's "In the Hay Field/Night" (image above) will be on display as well as Phyllis Small's "Ghost Town Interior, Bodie, CA" and Kate Themel's "Grandmother".

A list of all participating artists and prize winners can be found on NBMAA's website: http://www.nbmaa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=198

SAQA Artists are "Strutting Their Stuff" at the Simsbury Library (Simsbury, CT)

Several SAQA-CT artists have their work on display at the Simsbury Public Library, in the colorful "Roosters Strutting Their Stuff" exhibition. 

Congratulations to participating artists: Bobbi Morehouse, Diane Francini, Sandi Schrader, Robin Schofield, Betty Warner, Susan Vassallo, Judy Ross, Aurelle Locke, Phyllis Small and Laurie Dhandapani.

Visit the Library and meet the artists on Sunday, November 23 from 2 – 4 PM

Simsbury Public Library
725 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT 06070
http://www.simsburylibrary.info/

Last Call: NBMAA Juried Members Show "The NOR'EASTER" Entry Deadline Nov. 14th

The New Britain Museum's annual juried members exhibition is a prime opportunity for the Museum to highlight the exceptional work of emerging artists in all media and expose contemporary visual arts to a wide audience.

Once again digital entries (up to three per artist, $10 per entry) will be accepted through Café, the online application and jury management system, at www.callforentry.org. Entry is open to current NBMAA members at least 18 years old. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 14, 2015.

This year’s exhibition will be juried by Sharon Butler, artist and author of the influential art blog Two Coats of Paint.

First prize: $1,000
Second prize: $500
Third prize: $250
Juror’s Award: Upgraded NBMAA Membership to Friend’s Circle Level (includes North American Reciprocal Museum Membership) and NBMAA Blog interview
Visitors’ Choice: NBMAA Blog interview and write-up on the website

For more information contact Jenna Lucas, Development Associate at (860) 229-0257, ext. 231 or lucasj@nbmaa.org.

Need help photographing your entry? Workshops are available. For info on important dates, view the Submission Guidelines

Website for submitting work:
https://www.callforentry.org/

Meeting Notes: Oct. 18, 2014 at New Britain Museum of American Art (New Britain, CT)

FROM: SAQA-CT Regional Reps Catherine Whall Smith and Barbara C. Adams

MEMBER UP-DATE: We just added three new members to SAQA in CT.  Please Welcome Clare Aliberti, Paula Fullar, and Robin DeMuth Schofield

RE: Minutes - Saturday, October 18th, 2014
New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA)
New Britain, CT

We would like to thank all of our members that were able to attend our regional meeting at the NBMAA.  We had a packed agenda and thanks to everyone we did cover everything with plenty of time for "Show & Tell". 

We enjoyed viewing the show "Let Me Quilt One More Day" and our meeting drawing brought in about $41 - thank you Carol Eaton for being in charge of the raffle.  This money will be sent on to Martha Sielman to put in our CT account.

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Our morning break out session enabled 6 - 8 members at each table to discuss and list goals and activities for 2105.  The list was long but here are a few highlights of what members want:

- Meetings that offer speakers and demos, suggestions:

• design and composition, how to improve your work to the next level
• art critique
• professional development
• finding venues to exhibit and sell your work
• speakers from other CT quilt guilds
• members speaking about their business or special interests

– More time for Show and Tell!

- Quicker summary of things that are already on the SAQACT blog

- Opportunities to connect with artists outside of CT Regional meetings, suggestions:

• Classes and Workshops
• Parlor meetings: small group of artists in a local area who can later provide feedback to the larger group
• Working in conjunction with other fiber art groups
• Joint meetings with other SAQA regions

- Opportunities to make artwork and get involved, such as:

• CT trunk show
• Group "challenge" just for fun, not necessarily related to an exhibition or show

WE WLL TAKE THIS INPUT INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN WE START TO PLAN MEETINGS FOR 2015.  YOUR INPUT ON SPECIFIC DEMO'S, MEETING SPACES. AND SPEAKERS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. 

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Attendees agreed that they would be in favor of posting members names and where they live in on our SAQACT blog. This list will facilitate small local group meetings that members could host in addition to our 4 - 5 sate wide meetings.

However, not all of our members were able to make this meeting. If you DO NOT WANT your town listed next to your name, contact Catherine Smith - smith.catherine62@gmail.com or: Barbara Adams  - b.c.adams@comcast.net  

If you change your mind we can always add or delete your town. Feel free to leave a comment on this blog with your ideas and suggestions.

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NBMAA - Tree Decoration up-date: Even though Anna was not able to attend this meeting - her committee logged in all of the pieces that were dropped off. Her last email included this statement: "I must tell you that the work for the tree is very impressive. I feel like I want to write a note to each one who has participated, the quality is excellent and I'm so proud to be arranging them on the tree. It will be just what we were hoping for."  THANK YOU MEMBERS!!!!

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After our morning meeting - members toured the museum and the show  "Let me Quilt One More Day"  Check the museum's website for on-going events at the museum - including;

October 30th – film “Quilts Matter” – Parts 1 through 6 will be on view throughout the day.

November 11th – Family Day with Leslies Giuliani

December 29th – Family Day – GHQG

January 4th, 2015 – Show closes

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DATES TO REMEMBER:

1 - SHOW DATES: April 15th - 17th 2016 - Piecemakers Quilt Guild

Place: Southbury CT Invitational exhibit -  committee of volunteers - Carol Eaton and Karen Loprete has been formed.  They will work with Laureen Pekar and Barbara Dieroff to come up with the specifications, deadline, etc. for this invitational show. Place: Southbury CT  (Barb Adams and Catherine Smith will also be a resource for this committee.)

2. - SHOW DATES:  September 26th, 2015 - January 17th, 2016 - Place: Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, Mass.  "ART AS QUILT" - juried show open to MA/RI and CT SAQA members - On line entry opens May 1st, 2015 - closes May 31st, 2015. Notification goes out June 30th, 2015. Accepted quilts must be received by July 31st, 2015.

3 - NEW COMMITTEE: SAQACT Trunk Show - We will be developing our own SAQACT Trunk Show.  This will enable our group wo have something available  to share with guilds, libraries, galleries, and art centers to promote SAQACT.  Betty Warner, Nancy Monson, Mary MacIlvan ( and Hope Barton as a back up) will work with Rita Hannafin to get this project off the ground.  Their charge is to come up with the size specifications, and deadline for submission as well as other important "stuff".  (Barb Adams, Catherine Smith and Diane Wright will also be a resource for this committee.)

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NEXT SAQACT REGIONAL MEETING: 2015 IN THE PLANNING STAGES

HOWEVER ONCE WE POST MEMBERS NAMES AND TOWNS FEEL FREE TO HAVE A SMALL "PARLOR" MEETING BEFORE THE END OF 2014.  WE ALSO WILL SEND OUT INFORMATION WHEN THE NBMAA CHRISTMAS TREE IS COMPLETELY DECORATED - THAT MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO GET TOGETHER INFORMALLY ON A PLANNED DAY. 

Call for Entries: Slater Museum's 71st Annual CT Artists Exhibition

The Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich, Connecticut invites you to enter:

The 71st ANNUAL CONNECTICUT ARTISTS EXHIBITION
February 8 through March 20, 2015
Opening Reception: Sunday, February 8, 2015 from 1 – 3pm

Download the prospectus and entry tags here: http://www.nfaschool.org/uploaded/Slater_Museum_Files/Exhibitions/CT_Artists_Prospectus_-_2015.pdf

The Annual CT Artists Exhibition is open to resident artists of Connecticut. 
Entries may include paintings, drawings, mixed media, textiles, sculpture, and graphics including photography. Two entries per artist. Artwork previously exhibited at the Slater Museum (in any previous show) is NOT eligible. 

Artwork must be hand delivered to the Slater Museum Atrium on Saturday and Sunday, January 24 – 25, 2015 between 1pm and 4pm.  Judging will take place on January 26 (weather permitting) and artists will be notified immediately following the judging.

The show will be juried by Dr. Cynthia Roznoy, curator at the Mattatuck Museum, who has organized more than 25 exhibitions of American art and history and has written essays for the catalogs that accompany them. She received a Ph.D. in art history from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She was director and curator at the Stamford, CT branch of the Whitney Museum of American Art, based in New York City until 2000, after which she taught art history at the University of Connecticut, Stamford. Prior to her arrival at the Mattatuck Museum in 2007 she worked as senior associate for Viart, a New York City corporate art consulting firm.

Up to $1000 may be awarded in prizes. Refer to website for updates on prizes in specific media. Award winners will be announced at 2 pm during the exhibition opening reception on Sunday, February 8, 2015 from 1 - 3 pm.

More information about entries, fees and delivery of artwork can be found on the Exhibition Prospectus. 

The Slater Memorial Museum is on the campus of the Norwich Free Academy. www.slatermuseum.org

New Exhibition at New Britain Museum Opens Oct 12 (New Britain, CT)

Fiber art by SAQA-CT members Barbara McKie, Norma Schlager, Anna Tufankjian and Kate Themel are included in a new exhibition at the New Britain Museum of American Art, "Let Me Quilt One More Day".

Kate Themel, New Year's Eve, 2012, Cotton, 44 x 41 in., Courtesy of the artist

Let Me Quilt One More Day
Saturday, Oct. 4–Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015
Opening Reception
2-5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014
4 p.m. Remarks by Douglas Hyland

http://www.nbmaa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=56

Let Me Quilt One More Day explores the long-standing practice and art of quilt making in the United States. This exhibition, curated by Dr. Douglas Hyland, brings together an extraordinary selection of over 40 historical and contemporary quilts ranging from traditional to modern designs and demonstrating both the practical application and artistic range found in this medium. The themes of Industry, Emotion, and Art loosely group quilts that vary greatly in material and artistic style.

Noted quilt authority Lynne Z. Bassett, advised on the selection of objects for this exhibition, and her catalogue essay adds immensely to our understanding of this craft and art form.

The exhibition contains works from the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, Mattatuck Museum, New Haven Museum and Historical Society, Fenimore Art Museum, Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, and Connecticut Historical Society.

In addition we are fortunate to have works by contemporary quilters: Barbara Barrick McKie, Richard Killeaney, Todd Knopke, Norma Schlager, Denyse Schmidt, Marlene Shea, Kate Themel, Anna Tufankjian, and Victoria Findlay Wolfe along with works from the collections of others.

New Britain Museum of American Art
56 Lexington Street
New Britain, CT 06052
p: 860.229.0257
f: 860.229.3445
www.nbmaa.org

SAQA Members: In case you miss the opening reception, our next  SAQA-CT regional meeting will be next Saturday, October 18 at the New Britain Museum.

New Exhibition by FiberWorks Opens October 12 (Newtown, CT)

Western CT fiber arts group FiberWorks presents: TRANSFORMATION

On display at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, Newtown, CT
October 10th through November 7th.

Opening Reception Sunday, October 12, 2014 2:00-4:00 pm

SAQA members Nike Cutsumpas, Barbara Drillick, Gwen Hendrix & Norma Schlager will have their work on display. This show of contemporary fiber arts explores & conveys many facets of evolution, reorganization, reclamation and transmutation. It includes quilting, weaving, felting and painting.

Cyrenius H. Booth Library
25 Main Street
Newtown, CT 064760
http://www.chboothlibrary.org/

Perks of SAQA's Dual-Regional Membership

Did you know, as a SAQA member you can designate a primary and a secondary region for the same membership fee?  While it may not be advantageous to everyone, there are definite benefits to having another region to call "home".

For example: for Connecticut residents, the Massachusetts/Rhode Island, New York and New Hampshire/Vermont/Maine regions are all within a few hours drive.  For members who live on the border of CT, it may sometimes be a shorter drive to NY or MA than to our own regional meetings. If you vacation in another State or country on a regular basis, you may want to consider adding that region to your membership.

Recently SAQA-CT artists Carol Ludington, Diane Wright and Betty Warner attended a fabulous meeting with the members of SAQA-MA/RI. The group met at PRO Chemical & Dye in Fall River, MA.

SAQA-MA/RI artist Vicki Jensen demonstrated dying techniques.

Later, attendees got to try it out for themselves.

During lunch, everyone had a chance to browse the vendor tables.  Members were allowed to offer their artwork, books, DVDs etc. for sale.  And like any good SAQA meeting, there was time for Show & Tell!

Having a secondary SAQA region can offer an artist the chance to meet new people, draw inspiration from new scenery and experience SAQA from a different point of view.  Members may also share and discuss great ideas in other regions that they can bring "home".

If you would like to add a secondary SAQA region to your membership, just log in with your ID and password to www.saqa.com and edit your profile.  You can enter another region under "Second State" or "Second Country".

Clara Nartey Earns the Joan Coderre Award at the Slater Museum (Norwich, CT)

SAQA-CT artist Clara Nartey's "Shadows" took home the Joan Coderre Award for Painting: Excellence in Color.  The CT Women Artists 85th Annual Juried Exhibition features 120 pieces of artwork in a variety of media.

 
(Clara Nartey stands next to her prize winning artwork at the Slater Memorial Museum)

One of six fiber/textile works in the show, Nartey's "Shadows" captured the award in a painting category over many other traditional painted canvas pieces.

(Detail)

Congratulations, Clara!

The CT Women Artists exhibition will be on display at the Slater Memorial Museum until September 28, 2014.

Slater Memorial Museum
305 Broadway
Norwich, CT 06360
http://www.slatermuseum.org/cf_news/view.cfm?newsid=235

Textile Show Opens this Friday at Silvermine Arts Center (New Canaan, CT)

Undomesticated

Leslie Giuliani

September 20 through November 2, 2014
Opening Reception: Friday, September 19, 6-8pm

Embrace, Digital embroidery, rug hooking, and encaustic on linen, 20" x 20"

The exhibition "Undomesticated" by Leslie Giuliani highlights her hybrid textile artwork at the Vassos Gallery at Silvermine Arts Center from Friday, September 19 through November 2, 2014. There will be an opening reception on Friday, September 19 from 6 pm - 8 pm.

Giuliani says, "This exhibition will include works featuring a range of textile technique combinations including digital embroidery, hand embroidery, digital textile printing, cyanotype photography, sewing and rug hooking embellished with encaustic painting.

Juxtaposing images naturally creates free narrative associations. The images and compositions and the stories they imply are interesting, colorful and fun on their own but beyond that, the unusual combination of materials will compel further exploration.

The embroidered and printed images will all be translations of my original drawings and paper cutouts into textile form. Rug hooking will be used, not in a traditional functional way, rather, as a means to color areas and draw lines."

Giuliani will be in the gallery every Wednesday during the run of the show, working and giving demos including rug hooking and digital embroidery. For more information, please see Silvermine's website.

Silvermine Arts Center
1037 Silvermine Road
New Canaan, CT 06840
203.966.9700

SAQA Benefit Auction Begins Today!

SAQA’s signature fundraising event starts today at 2pm EDT!

This is your chance to own beautiful, unique art quilts by some of the world’s finest artists. Plus, your purchases help increase the recognition for art quilts and the artists who make them while supporting SAQA’s exhibitions, publications, and education outreach. Thanks to our donors and bidders in 2013, the Benefit Auction raised over $65,000!

Nine stunning art quilts were donated to the 2014 Studio Art Quilt Associates Benefit Auction by Connecticut members.  Check out these beautiful 12x12 auction quilts created by Normajean Brevik, Debra Bento, Margaret Phillips, Mickey Lawler, Betty Warner, Diane Wright, Clara Nartey, Norma Schlager and Gail Kotowski:

View all the auction quilts here: http://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?ID=3220

For information about how the auction works, visit: http://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?ID=1186

Special Invitation to SAQA Members to Participate in the Quilt and Needle Arts Show (East Haddam, CT)

Invitation to Exhibit

19th Annual Quilt and Needle Arts Show
October 11 &12, 2014
The First Church of Christ, Congregational
499 Town Street (Route 151), P O Box 445
East Haddam, CT 06423-0445

First Church of East Haddam is proud to present its 19th Annual Quilt and Needle Arts Show, located in America’s Oldest Federal Meetinghouse. When decorated with vibrant quilts and needlework, it is transformed into a spectacular showcase and an inspiration to those of us who appreciate fine handwork. We hope you will be part of this experience! We invite you to share your love of needlework by exhibiting your quilts, cross-stitch, needlepoint, hooked rugs, knitting, crocheting, etc.

Members of Studio Art Quilt Associates are invited to participate in a special display.  Please indicate on your submission form if you are a SAQA member.

Exhibitors should fill out the enclosed application and mail it before September 30 to:

First Church Quilt Show

C/O Carol Faraci
90 Great Hillwood Road
Moodus, CT 06469

OR email a completed submission form to: carol.faraci@gmail.com

If your submission is for sale, please indicate your asking price on the application form. First Church reserves the right to collect a 20% commission for handling the sale.

Please be assured that your submission will be cared for by members of First Church. (Volunteers will be sleeping in the church on Friday and Saturday nights just to keep an eye on everything!)

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Exhibition Committee:
Betty Haines
Margaret Charney
Holly Coleman
Carol Faraci
Brenda Collis

Please visit our website for pictures and more information.

Website: www.ehquiltshow.com

The First Church of Christ, Congregational

Open and print a copy of the exhibition form:
http://nebula.wsimg.com/17b963d145376c6a2a6a74bb68996948?AccessKeyId=2D463C9C06E876729206&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Show Your Artwork at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (Brattleboro, VT)

OPEN CALL NNE (North-Northeast)

If you're an artist living in New York or any of the six New England states, then you are eligible to submit your work for consideration.

Open Call NNE (North-Northeast) is a juried exhibition organized by BMAC that showcases established, mid-career, and emerging artists working in all media.

In a departure from BMAC’s previous juried exhibitions, which featured large bodies of work by a small number of selected artists, Open Call NNE (North-Northeast) will showcase dozens of artists with 1-4 works each.

BMAC is expecting to showcase dozens of artists of all experience levels, working in a wide variety of media. Richard Klein, exhibitions director of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, is the juror.

Open Call NNE (North-Northeast) opens at BMAC on January 10 and runs through February 8, 2015. The deadline to apply is November 14, 2014.

Click here for more information.

 

Call for Entries: Textile Show 2014 at Gallery 53 (Meriden, CT)

Fiber Artists of Connecticut:

You are invited to participate in an upcoming exhibition, presented by the Arts and Crafts Association of Meriden at Gallery 53. Entries can include (but are not limited to): surface design, felting, quilting, knotting, weaving, knitting, fiber sculpture, basketry, quilts, handcrafted paper and needlework. 

Textile Show 2014
Sept 13th – 26th

Receiving:
Hand Delivered Entries:
Sept 3rd – 5th, 12 – 3 pm
Sat Sept 6th, 10 – 1 pm
Mail in Entries: Please provide return postage.

Reception & Awards:
Saturday, September 13th, 1– 3 pm
Awards Ceremony: 2 pm
Judge: Laura Scarpa

Fees:
ACAM Members: $20 first entry, $5 second.
Nonmembers: $25 first entry, $5 second.
No more than two entries due to space limitations.

ARTS & CRAFTS ASSN. OF MERIDEN
Gallery 53
53 Colony St, Meriden, CT 06451
(203) 235-5347
gallery53ct@gmail.com

Eligibility:
All items must be installation-ready with appropriate hanging rods or mounting devices.
Space is limited, items must be no wider than 48".

Sales: 25% commission will be taken on sold items

Removal dates:
Sept 26th 12 pm - 3pm
Sept 27th 10 am – 1pm

Follow this link for more information and a copy of the entry form:

Gallery 53 Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/Gallery53/photos/a.299379963473343.66493.287134304697909/657242917687044/?type=1&theater

Catherine Whall Smith Earns the Alice Clark Hubbard Award at MAC (Mystic, CT)

SAQA-Connecticut's regional rep Catherine Whall Smith was honored to received the Alice Clark Hubbard Prize at the Mystic Art Center's 58th Regional Show, for her piece Tying Up the Hay #1. 

The exhibition will be on display August 1st – September 20th, 2014

The MAC Regional Exhibition, juried by Power Boothe, features a wide-range of creative voices and artistic media, including photography, oil, acrylic and carved wood.  Cathy's piece was one of the only fiber pieces juried into the show.

When asked about her work, Cathy says “The quilts I create are strongly influenced by my surroundings.  My Hay Series is based on my photos of rolled hay.  When they are enlarged they present an image of chaotic lines.  I use those chaotic lines to explore the visual spaced created when line meets line or lines overlap lines.”

Mystic Art Center
9 Water Street
Mystic, CT 06355 
(860) 536-7601 
www.mysticarts.org 

 

Preview SAQA Auction Quilts: Bidding Starts September 15th at 2pm

Nine stunning art quilts were donated to the 2014 Studio Art Quilt Associates Benefit Auction by Connecticut members.  Check out these beautiful 12x12 auction quilts created by Normajean Brevik, Debra Bento, Margaret Phillips, Mickey Lawler, Betty Warner, Diane Wright, Clara Nartey, Norma Schlager and Gail Kotowski:

       

    

    

See ALL 375 auction quilts on SAQA's website: http://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?ID=3152. Bidding starts September 15, 2014 at 2:00pm Eastern Standard time.

Work by Phyllis Small in Connecting Threads Exhibition (W.Hartford, CT)

"Connecting Threads" is a celebration of Jewish industry and artistry, on display at the Mandell Jewish Community Center's Chase Family Gallery. SAQA-CT artist Phyllis Small is participating in the exhibition and was recently interviewed about the show for the Hartford Courant. 

 
(Photo by Suzanne Carlson)

Excerpt from http://www.ctnow.com/news/connecticut/hartford/hc-west-hartford-mandell-jcc-quilt-show-0730-20140729,0,6188339.story

"One of her pieces is a memory quilt she began when the owner of the kosher Crown Market announced in February that the store would close. “I shop there all the time," Small said. The community atmosphere of the store is beloved by many, she said, adding, "I was just so sorry it might be closing."

Investors have since stepped in and saved the market, but Small finished the quilt, which took about three months from conception to completion. It incorporates the store's logo, images of hot dogs and yellow mustard, and a square cut from one of the store's paper bags that Small treated with acrylic to make it more durable.

Small's other piece is a quilt that was built from blocks stitched by other crafters in a quilters guild that meets in Simsbury once a month.  Four times a year, the guild has a "friendship block raffle," in which each member creates a block based on a pattern. Small won one of the raffles and got to keep the completed blue-and white squares, to which she added more blocks to make a completed quilt.  Her daughter loved the quilt so much that she used it as her wedding chuppah.

"It really meant a lot to me that all my friends had donated blocks to that quilt," Small said. "And then when my daughter wanted to use it, it was like another layer of connection to the quilt."

The curated show of 30 pieces by 15 different fabric artists is free and open to the public through August. 

The Mandell Jewish Community Center
335 Bloomfield Ave
W. Hartford, CT 06117
http://www.mandelljcc.org/