New Show by Sisters in Cloth at the Guilford Free Library (Guilford, CT)

Connecticut fiber art group Sisters in Cloth present “Inspired By…”, a collection of art quilts inspired by the members’ favorite artists. You can see them on display now at the Guilford Free Library in Guilford, CT. 

Sisters in Cloth are also sharing their special exhibit “Sentinels”, in which members collaborated with Australian artist Dijanne Cevaal. Artists used Dijanne’s handmade ‘Sentinel’ fabric panels and used them to create unique art quilts. Panels were pieced, embroidered, embellished with beads and decorated within each artist’s style.

The fiber art exhibit will run the length of December 2015. 
Opening Reception: December 5, 2015 from 2:30 – 4:00 pm   

Guilford Free Library
67 Park Street
Guilford, CT 06437
http://guilfordfreelibrary.org/

 

Don’t Miss Open Studios at the NEST, Nov 13-15, 2015 (Bridgeport, CT)

 

Please join SAQA-CT artists Christina Blais, Jane Davila, Barbara Dieroff, Rita Hannifin and Gwen Hendrix at the NEST Arts Factory Open Studios, Fri – Sun November 13-15, 2015.

Meet the artists of the NEST, tour open studios, listen to musicians, enjoy a gallery show and see a variety of demonstrations.  Find more information at http://www.nestartsfactory.com/#!events/c3su

MEETING MINUTES: SAQA-CT Gathering at Sew Inspired, Oct 24th

-->

IT WAS A GREAT DAY!!! We had 50 people in attendance.

1.  Thank you to everyone who brought items for our "Meeting Door Prize." The total amount raised was $70. Thank you Kelly Caldwell for managing this meeting event - we are very appreciative. 

2.  THE DROP OFF - for the SAQACT TRUNK SHOW and LOCAL COLOR appeared to run very smoothly; Kate Themel, Diane Wright, Clara Nartey, and Carol Eaton managed to keep things moving along. At our meeting Kate and Diane gave an up-date on the jurying process for Local Color and that we would be notified Tuesday/Wednesday with the results.  Options for the photographing of the accepted entries was also discussed. All of this will be posted along with the jurying results.

3.  Hope Barton and her invited guest managed to collect a sizeable number of pieces for our own SAQACT Trunk Show. - At our meeting Members decided to extend our SAQACT Trunk Show deadline to our next meeting, which will take place in February 2016.  So there is still time to complete your piece.  For submission forms and all of the information please visit the Trunk Show tab on the SAQACT blog http://saqact.blogspot.com/p/saqa-ct-trunk-show.html

4.  Diane Wright encouraged everyone to register for the 2016 SAQA Conference in Philadelphia:  Inspire * Connect * Engage from March 31 - April 3, 2016. DETAILS HERE.  One of the highlights will be a bus trip to see the Opening of Art Quilt Elements. The Early Bird registration is only open until October 31st, so if you want to save $50 please register soon.

5.  Laureen Pekar - Connecticut Piecemakers Quilting Guild invites SAQA members to participate in their quilt show “Spring Shower of Quilts 2016” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Southbury, CT April 16-17, 2016. The special exhibit in one of the ballrooms will be set up for participating SAQA members and would be free of charge. Artworks should be no more than 120 around, or smaller, and can be any shape. They could be new creations or other favorites, and would be protected by the guild’s insurance program. This would be great exposure for SAQA artists since we have had over a thousand visitors at our last show and more for our coming show. [This is special invitational exhibit will neither be juried nor judged.] Registration deadline is February 16, 2016. Quilts that are to be hung are to be handed in at the Crowne Plaza on Friday, April 15 between 3:30p - 6:00p. All quilts must have a 3-4 inch hanging sleeve sewn on. More details/registration forms are posted on the “Shows to Enter” section of the SAQA-CT blog.

6.  Catherine introduced Kelly Caldwell, who has volunteered to take over for Catherine as our new SAQACT representative.  She will be working with Barbara Adams. The SAQACT reps position is a two-year term. WELCOME KELLY!! We are still seeking a volunteer to work with her, as Barbara will be completing her term soon as well.

7. Catherine shared some of the perks of establishing a Parlor Group in the 8 regions throughout CT.  Attached is the master list.  To obtain more information, such as phone numbers, addresses, etc. please go to www.saqa.com and click on the Members Directory.  Feel free to contact Catherine smith.catherine62@gmail.com if you need any additional information or to discuss ideas for your region.  Since we will not be having another SAQACT meeting until February 2016 it would be great if we could all meet once in our parlor groups before then.  A local coffee shop, art center, or someone's home are all suitable locations.  Remember this is a low-key effort to provide additional support for and to one another.

8.  Norma Schlager (please check out her most recent blog post http://notesfromnorma.blogspot.com) shared her thoughts on her recent solo show at the Brookfield Art Center.  She stressed the importance of the shows "Opening Night". Works should be priced to sell!

Her agreement with the venue was a 50% commission. She made up 20 boxes of greeting cards (6 in a box) which sold for $15 a box.  Seventeen boxes were sold. Her printing was done by Vistaprint www.vistaprint.com/ (This site has lots of special discounts so keep checking their site.)  Norma also used Vistaprint for the 100 post cards that she distributed - mostly handing them out directly and mailing a few. The Brookfield Art Center provided the Opening Night refreshments as well as the publicity, and used their volunteers to assist in the hanging of the show.  Norma brought some samples of the small pieces that she made on her Epsom printer with Durabright inks. Her art items in the $75 to $125 price range sold well. Members followed up Norma's talk with many questions and then Diane Cadrain showed one of her current works that will be in her up-coming Solo Show in the Clare Gallery at the Franciscan Center for Urban Life (Hartford, CT) from November 12 to December 27, 2015. Questions and answers followed. One member suggested that at a future meeting we display and explain various methods of hanging, mounting, and framing our Fiber Art.

NOON - Lunch

1:00 p.m.  Another fantastic MEMBERS “Show and Tell”

2:00 p.m. End of meeting - more time to shop!

Diane Cadrain: Solo Exhibition at the Clare Gallery (Hartford, CT)

Congratulations to SAQA-CT artist Diane Cadrain!

Diane’s work will be displayed in a solo fiber art/art quilt show at the Clare Gallery at the Franciscan Center for Urban Life from November 12 to December 27, 2015. 

(image: Great Head Trail by D.Cadrain)

Cadrain’s exhibition will focus on pathways and journeys we all take throughout life. Many of these journeys and paths are internal, but Diane has also chosen to express varied physical ones she has traveled herself.

(image: Coastal Heath by D.Cadrain)

The exhibition and an artist’s reception will be free and open to the public. Free parking is available directly across from the church in the Saints Lot, and the facility is handicapped accessible.

The reception is Thursday evening November 12 from 6:30 to 8 pm, with an artist talk at 7 pm.  

The Franciscan Center for Urban Life is part of St. Patrick’s and St. Anthony’s Church, 285 Church Street in Hartford, CT.
http://spsact.org/clare2/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibition-2/

Norma Schlager, Finalist at Quilts World of Beauty at IQF (Houston, TX)

Congratulations to SAQA-CT artist Norma Schlager! Her quilt “Big Green Diptych” is a finalist in the special juried exhibit Quilts, World of Beauty at the International Quilt Festival in Houston Texas.

The International Quilt Festival
October 29 – November 1, 2015
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, TX

Margaret Phillips Work at International Quilt Festival (Houston, TX)

Congratulations to SAQA-CT artist Margaret Phillips, whose work has been juried into the International Quilt Festival (IQF) in Houston, Texas.

“Figure Study” will be exhibited in the Art, Miniatures category at IQF.  This piece was also in the Northern Star Quilt Guild show and won a 2nd Place ribbon. 

Margaret’s quilt “Dinner with Roy” will also be included in IQF as part of the “What’s for Dinner?” special exhibit, juried by Jamie Fingal and Leslie Tucker Jenison.

The International Quilt Festival
October 29 – November 1, 2015
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, TX

For more information, visit: http://www.quilts.com/home/shows/viewer.php?page=FallFestival

MEETING NOTES: SAQA-CT Gathering at Phelps-Hatheway House Sept 12th, 2015

If you were unable to attend the gathering on September 12, here’s a quick recap from SAQA-CT Rep Catherine Smith: Saturday was a beautiful day for doing just about anything – including our SAQA-CT “Gathering” with the SAQA members of the “Connecticut Fiber arts Collective" (CTFAC).


  
(Pictured: from left, Back row: Rosalind Spann, Mary Lachman, Carol Eaton, Francesca Lenville, Catherine Smith, Front row: Wanda Seldon, Carol Vinick, Debra Gluszczak, Barbara Adams, Antonia Torres and Nancy Turbitt) CTFAC members Carol Vinick, Christina Blais, Karen Loprete, Carol R. Eaton, Diane Cadrain, Linda Martin, Mary Lachman, Antonia Torres, Rosalind Spann, and Wanda Seldon really had their act together with their group show “Steeped in Stitches” at the Phelps-Hatheway House in Suffield Connecticut.

 


This historic property had the most beautiful out buildings including a huge barn that was filled with the groups’ art quilts.  Each quilt had a story and the members of Connecticut Fiber arts Collective shared those stories.   One continuous thread throughout each artist’s narrative was “and I used this piece of Carol Eaton’s fabric…” Carol also makes quilts, such as the one seen here:
 

Notice the lovely hats and we did have a winner of the "Best Hat" contest.  Antonia Torres won a pair of hand crafted tea vessels, batik fabric, and a $25 gift certificate from Quilting by the Yard, LLC www.quiltingbytheyard.com/ in Vernon, Connecticut.

 

We had our tea in the Summer House, another beautiful open air building on this property. We all admired the workmanship of this building and wondered on the possibilities of reproducing it in our own backyards.

 


We were delighted to welcome fellow SAQA members Nancy Turbitt from Rhode Island (studiogirasole.blogspot.com) and Francesca Lenville from Massachusetts. Their presence and their stories added another dimension to our group – business cards were exchanged and we hope to meet up again with these fellow artists soon.   
During our relaxing tea and goodies, Claire Nartey (with daughter) joined us and later Kate Themel (with son) met up with the group.  Clara, Kate, and Nancy delivered their entries to Cathy for the up-coming juried show “A Celebration of Fiber Arts” at the Art Center East in Vernon, CT.  Please consider entering this show.  You should have received an email with the shows details but we will try to post it again on our SAQACT blog.



In the afternoon Debra Gluszczak, Nancy Turbitt, and Catherine Smith joined one of the docents for a tour of this historic home.  The docent received our SAQA membership information as well as a copy of The art quilt sourcebook "Portfolio 21", which they will add to their library collection.  Mary Lachman gave her book talk at 2:00 p.m.



It was a full day – this show ends on Sunday, September 13th, 2015.  A huge thank-you to all who were able to participate in this event!
See additional photos and notes about this event on the SAQA-Massachusetts/Rhode Island blog http://ma-ri-saqa.blogspot.com/

Quilts by Barb McKie at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts (Lyme, CT)

Congratulations to SAQA-CT artist Barbara Barrick McKie, who will have 2 quilts on display at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts’ Annual Alumni Show.  The 2015 Alumni Exhibition, which was open to ALL media, was juried by Barbara Marks, David Shevlino and Robert Taplin.

The Exhibition runs from September 18 – November 14, 2015
Opening Reception Friday, September 18, 5 – 8pm
Regular Gallery Hours: Mon. – Fri. 10am – 4pm

Barbara McKie’s quilts “Following Mommy” (image above) and “My Fishing Hole” are included in the Lyme Alumni show.  A selection of student work will also be on view in the Sill House Gallery.

University of New Haven
Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
84 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371
http://www.lymeacademy.edu/

Exhibition NEWS

Fiber artwork by SAQA-CT members Nike Cutsumpas, Liz Alpert Fay and Ruth Anne Olson have been juried into the "ON THE FRINGE  Explorations in Fiber" exhibit at the Kershner Gallery in the Fairfield Public Library (Fairfield, CT).

The show will run from August 22 - October 11, 2015
with a Reception on Saturday, September 12, 4:30 - 6:30 PM

Kershner Gallery, Fairfield Public Library
1080 Old Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org

MORE NEWS…

Nike Cutsumpas and Norma Schlager, members of FiberWorks, will be exhibiting at the Cyrenius Booth Library, Newtown Library from September 25th thru October 29th, 2015 with a reception on September 26, 2015.

This is their annual autumn exhibit at the library.

Cyrenius Booth Library
25 Main Street
Newtown, CT 06470
www.chboothlibrary.org

Special Invitation to SAQA Members: Join CTFAC for Tea at the Phelps-Hatheway House (Suffield, CT)

“STEEPED IN STITCHES”
Luncheon Tea Party* at the Phelps-Hatheway HouseSaturday, September 12, 201510:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Wear a Festive Hat, Garden Party Attire!
Prize for Best Hat
Quilt Raffle
Gift Basket Raffle*
Advance reservations are required
 

RESERVATION DEADLINE for the Luncheon Tea Party is Sept. 8, 2015
Don’t wait to make a reservation! The Luncheon Tea Party is open to SAQA members in CT, MA and RI but space is limited to 30 people.
To sign up for the Luncheon Tea Party, contact Catherine Smith: smith.catherine62@gmail.com
Tea Party is $15 per person, which includes admission to the Quilt and Textile Show.
Menu: tea sandwiches, fruit salad, tea and cookies.

If you are not a SAQA member or otherwise unable to attend the special Tea Party Luncheon:

Other events at the Phelps-Hatheway House, including the CT Fiber Arts Collective Quilt and Textile Show, are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC on Saturday, Sept 12 from noon to 5 pm and Sunday, Sept 13 from 11am to 4pm.

Lectures, demonstrations & unique items for sale will bring color & inspiration to the Phelps-Hatheway’s rustic 1867 barn.  A book signing by Mary Lachman, author of Moth at the Window will take place in the Summer House.
Admission is $5 for Quilt Show, or FREE with purchase of a house tour. This event coincides with the town’s popular Suffield on the Green festival.
For more information on the artists, visit: www.ctfac.blogspot.com, or www.mothatthewindow.com.

Phelps-Hatheway House
55 South Main Street
Suffield, Connecticut 06078

 

 

We Need Mentors! A message from Sue Bleiweiss, Mentorship Coordinator

Now that the mentorship program has been underway for several weeks I thought I would post an update on how it’s going and provide some statistics and other information about it. 

So far 12 matches have been made and all the mentees have met with their mentors at least once via Skype, FaceTime or telephone to talk about their objectives and goals and to set up a regular communication schedule with each other.   Everyone is very excited about their new partnerships and I couldn’t be happier about that.

You might be wondering who these mentors are so I am going to tell you!  I’m sharing their names with their permission of course and they are:
Pamela Allen
Sue Bleiweiss
Lisa Call
Jenny Bowker
Sherri Culver
Kathleen Loomis
Alison Schwabe
Pamela Druhen
Carol Ann Waugh
Susan Polansky
Phylis Cullen

Each of them have signed on to work with at least one mentee and a couple are working with more than one.   I am grateful for their willingness to sign on to be a part of this program because the success of the program really hinges on having enough mentors.  And that brings me to my next statistic…

I have 9 mentees on the waiting list waiting to be matched up with a mentor.  I need more mentors!
So I am once again putting out the call for mentors.  Now I know that being a mentor isn’t for everyone, and I absolutely understand and respect that. But I’m guessing that there are some of you out there who are thinking you might be interested but you’re not sure about it because you are not sure how to be a mentor or what areas or categories you can mentor someone in.  To answer those questions, just pop over to the SAQA website here:  http://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?ID=3369

All the information about the program is there and if you take a look at both the mentor and the mentee applications (regardless of which you want to apply for) those will also help answer your questions.  If you still have questions or your unsure, then write to me at sue@....  I will be happy to talk with you about the program and how you can be a part of it. 

The mentorship program is just one of the programs brought to you by the SAQA membership committee.  The committee is chaired by Diane Wright and is made up of volunteers Clara Nartey (Secretary), Sue Bleiweiss, Paula Huffman Brown, Sharon Buck, Christine Hager-Braun, Candice Phelan, Allison Reker, Desi Vaughn, and Martha Wolfe.  We meet once a month to discuss, brainstorm and develop programs and initiatives related to areas of membership. Watch for updates about the committees other programs and initiatives in future emails.

By the way - if you're curious about what other committees that SAQA has you'll find that information on the SAQA website here:  http://www.saqa.com/about.php?ID=72

Sue Bleiweiss
MA/RI regional co-rep
Membership committee volunteer
Mentorship program coordinator
http://www.suebleiweiss.com

Deadline Next Weekend: ARTISTIC WANDERINGS, Norwich Arts Center (Norwich, CT)

Attention ALL visual artists! 

Don’t miss the opportunity to enter your artwork into “Artistic Wanderings” at the Norwich Arts Center (NAC).

Exhibition Dates: August 5 – 29, 2015
Opening Reception: Friday, August 7

Work must be dropped off at NAC for jurying.
Norwich Arts Center
60-64 Broadway
Norwich, CT 06360
http://www.norwicharts.org

Drop off dates: Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2015
between 12 - 4 PM

Juror: Donita Aruny, Program and Marketing Director for the Shoreline Arts Alliance

**Over $1600 in prize money will be awarded!**

Available Awards: $250 for 1st prize, $125 for 2nd prize and for
3rd prize: free rental space for 1 month in “Gallery Too”, sponsored by NAC. Any 2-dimensional work is eligible (except photography)

Plus 5 additional $250 prizes for Fine Craft, sponsored by the Katherine Forest Crafts Foundation. Eligible work includes pottery, weaving, jewelry, textile, woodworking and metal.

PROSPECTUS for Artistic Wanderings 2015

ENTRY FORM for Artistic Wanderings 2015

For more information, visit the NAC website: www.norwicharts.org

Rita Hannafin Interviewed at Sacred Threads (Herndon, VA)

Congratulations to SAQA-CT artist, Rita Hannafin!

Rita was at the Artist Reception for “Sacred Threads” in Herndon, Virginia and was interviewed for the Quilt Alliance: Go Tell It at the Quilt Show. 

You can watch Rita’s and dozens of other artists’ interviews on the Quilt Alliance YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbRL8gNFw9DBEAuPT2fLHaehysLU9veeW

All the participating artists in “Sacred Threads” were invited to speak about their work. Accepted artists include SAQA-CT members Christina Blais, Diane Cadrain and Mary Lachman. A full list of participating artists can be found on Sacred Threads’ website: http://sacredthreadsquilts.com/html/artists2015.html

Rita’s quilt will now be listed in the National Registry of Quilts.  Rita enjoyed the reception, as she put it: “The catalogue is fantastic, and it was great having other artists sign it…  I was also interviewed for a documentary specifically being made for Sacred Threads, so this was a really great experience.”

Another piece by Hannafin, Threaded Cat Blues, was accepted into the “Out of the Blue” exhibit at the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell MA.  The Artist Reception will be on Saturday, Aug 15 and the exhibit runs until September 19th.

SAQA Trunk Show is on Display at the Lyme Art Association (Old Lyme, CT)

This week, SAQA-CT artists Catherine Whall Smith, Barbara Adams and Rita Hannafin brought the Studio Art Quilt Associates’ Trunk Show to the Lyme Art Association. Please stop by and take a look at these beautiful, handmade works of fiber art.

SAQA Members: You will have a chance to see the Trunk Show at our next regional meeting, which will be held at the Lyme Art Association on July 18 from 10am – 2pm.

The SAQA Trunk Show will be on display at the Lyme Art Association from July 15 – 22, 2015.

LAA's main floor Galleries will display over 50 art quilts. Each quilt is 10 x 7 inches, mounted on a black backing board, and sealed inside a clear envelope. The artist's location, artwork title, statement and information about techniques and materials are on the back. The quilts are not for sale.

Lyme Art Association
90 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371
www.lymeartassociation.org

Diane Wright, Presentation on Fiber Art this Saturday (Guilford, CT)

Fiber Artist Diane Wright to Speak on Contemporary Quilts 

Saturday, July 11, 2015 beginning at 2 PM
At the Guilford Keeping Society
Medad Stone Tavern Museum
197 Three Mile Course
Guilford, CT 06437
http://www.guilfordkeepingsociety.com/

As a special feature of Guilford's town-wide summer quilt show, Diane Wright, nationally known art quilter, will speak on "Contemporary Stitches in Time,"  She will discuss the use of antique quilt patterns in the making of contemporary quilts and quilts as art. 

Diane has invited friends and fellow quilters from the Guilford quilting group, Sisters in Cloth, to join her in sharing their own contemporary quilts that have been influenced by tradition. Times change, but as Diane says, "It's always been about the hand and the stitch."

The talk will take place at The Guilford Keeping Society's Medad Stone Tavern, 197 Three Mile Course. Visitors to the Tavern can also view a display of historic quilts owned by the Society.

Since the 1990s, Diane's focus has been on the fabric medium: fabric of all kinds, hand or machine stitched, often embellished with beads, fiber "shards" or found bits. Her work is noted for its use of color, original design, and a variety of fabrics that include commercial, foreign, hand-painted, and vintage pieces.

Admission to the program is free but donations are greatly appreciated.

SAQA-CT Trunk Show

Attention SAQA artists in Connecticut!  Hope Barton, Mary MacIlvain, and Betty Warner are spearheading a plan to create our own regional trunk show! Read on for details and a look at the registration form.

SAQA Connecticut Trunk Show: You’re Doing What?

The “You’re Doing What?” Trunk show is an opportunity for SAQA Connecticut members to show the world what they are doing now. Member work will be showcased in a traveling trunk show that will be shown in venues throughout the region.

We are looking for original fiber art pieces 6” x 10” sized (portrait or landscape) artwork (any fiber medium; any subject). We will display the work mounted on a  8” x  12” black backing board using archival tape and placed inside of clear cellophane sleeves. Creative edge treatments are encouraged.

Artwork of this size can be quick and fun to make, showcasing your voice and promoting art quilting and education.

Deadline October 24, 2015: This is the Delivery Deadline.  Artwork, registration form and check should be personally delivered or shipped to Betty Warner.

You may bring it to the SAQA-CT Regional Meeting at Sew Inspired Quilt Shop on October 24, 2015.

Guidelines:

· Create an original 6” x 10” sized (portrait or landscape) artwork (any fiber medium; any subject). We will mount your finished piece on a black backing board using archival mounting tape.

· Complete the registration form. Please include a copy of this form with your artwork and fee.

· Bring your 6” x 10” artwork, a completed registration form and a $5 check made out to our regional meeting at Sew Inspired Quilt Shop

OR

Ship artwork, form and check to:

Betty Warner
20 Wescott Road
Simsbury, CT 06070

Questions? Contact Betty Warner at betty@ bettywarner.com or by phone: (860)658-2691

Norma Schlager Solo Show "The Art of Stitch" Opens June 27 (Brookfield, CT)

Congratulations to SAQA-CT artist Norma Schlager!  Norma’s fiber artwork will be featured in a solo exhibition at the Brookfield Craft Center in Brookfield, CT. 

“The Art of Stitch” runs from June 27 – July 18, 2015. 

An Opening Reception is planned for June 27 from 5 – 8 PM at the Brookfield Craft Center.

See more of Norma Schlager’s work on her blog: http://notesfromnorma.blogspot.com/

Brookfield Craft Center
286 Whisconier Road (Route 25)
Brookfield, CT 06804
www.brookfieldcraftcenter.org

New Opportunity: SAQA Exhibition Committee

Every SAQA exhibition requires an Exhibition Coordinator, and SAQA could use a few more people willing to take on this role.

The Exhibition Coordinator’s job is to handle the administration of one specific exhibition. It begins by answering the questions from the membership once the prospectus goes live.
The EC organizes the entries and submits them to SAQA on a spreadsheet which is also sent to the juror.
Once the juror makes her selections of artwork, the EC sends out the appropriate letters to the artists.
The EC continues to be the point of contact for the accepted artists throughout the course of the exhibition, informing them of each new venue that is secured.
The EC's job ends when the artwork is returned to the artists by Bill Reker.
EC's may submit work to the exhibition that they are coordinating since the juror does NOT receive the names of the artists. All SAQA exhibitions use a “blind jury” system.

Are you interested in becoming an Exhibition Coordinator?  PLEASE contact Gwyned Trefethen:  gwynedtrefethen @ mac .com

Still Time to Enter “Art as Quilt” Deadline May 31, 2015

Attention SAQA members in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut: There is still time to submit an entry into “ART AS QUILT”, a regional exhibition of fiber art.  On line entries are open now on SAQA’s website. Entries are by digital photo; follow this link for more information http://saqacallforentries2.com/

ART AS QUILT (SAQA REGIONAL)
Open to SAQA members in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut
Deadline:  May 31, 2015

Exhibit Concept:
Art as Quilt (Transitions in Contemporary Textile Media) is a juried exhibition of contemporary textile media that explores the subject of art as quilt.  The word quilt implies a traditional 3 layered stitched approach but artists are encouraged to explore new and unique ways to push beyond these boundaries through the use of techniques and materials. This exhibit will consist of works that represent unexpected approaches and interpretations of the theme and help illustrate the diversity of styles, techniques and materials being used by the Studio Art Quilt Associates members.

Premier location:
Fuller Craft Museum (Brockton MA) September 2015
Additional venues:
Highfield Hall and Gardens, Falmouth MA
Jurors: Sue Bleiweiss, Nancy Turbitt, Cheryl Rezendes
Work must be able to travel from September 2015 to December 2016.

Barb McKie Juried into SAQA: Two by Twenty

SAQA: TWO BY TWENTY
Art by: Rahel Elran, Sandy Gregg, Teresa Barkley, Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry and Janice Stevens

Congratulations to SAQA-CT artist Barbara Barrick McKie, who will exhibit two of her pieces, “Botswana’s Beautiful Bird” and “Kookaburra” in SAQA’s Two by Twenty exhibition.

 
(image: detail of Botswana’s Beautiful Bird by B.McKie)

Each of the twenty accepted artists had two pieces selected that relate to each other in some way. Juror:  Dr. Jacqueline M. Atkins

The show will travel to the Open European Quilt Championships, Maastricht, Netherlands this October.

For a list of ALL the accepted artists and works, visit:
http://www.saqa.com/memberArt.php?cat=8&ec=2&ex=52 

Upcoming Workshops at the Danforth Art Museum (Framingham, MA)

Register now for the Spring 2015 Professional Artist Series and Portfolio Review Day!

Professional Artist Series
Thursdays, April 30, May 7, and May 14
6:30-8:00 pm

Join us for workshops on the business of art taught by those who have mastered the art of business, designed for working artists in all levels of their careers.

· April 30: The Artist as Brand w/ Jessica Burko
· May 7: The Art of the Review w/ Cate McQuaid
· May 14: The Law for Artists w/Nick O’Donnell

$25 for each class for non-member
$15 for each class for Danforth Art Professional Artist level members

· Or, register for the 3-part series

$65 for the 3-part series for non-members
$45 for the 3-part series for Danforth Art Professional Artist level members

---

Portfolio Review Day \ Saturday, April 25, 2015
Meet one-on-one with experienced art professionals to discuss your work and consider how to best advance your career. You may seek advice in exploring new markets, improving and selling your art, and making connections with museums, gallerists, and art media.

REGISTER NOW! Spaces are filling fast!
AM sessions: 10am, 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am, 12pm
PM sessions: 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm

To speak to more than one reviewer, you must sign-up for multiple sessions.

$65 per 20-minute session for non-members
$45 per 20-minute session for Danforth Art Professional Artist level members

REVIEWERS: (Read their full bios online)

· Marjorie Cohn is former head conservator of the Harvard University Art Museums. From 1990-1991 and 2002-2003, she was also the Harvard University Art Museums’ acting director. She served a four-year term as President of the Print Council of America, the international professional organization of curators of works of art on paper, 2001-2005.

· Bridget Lynch is an award winning artist and curator, currently Director of the Trustman Art Gallery at Simmons College and Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Art and Music. Lynch curates six professional shows per year which present a wide range of working styles by contemporary New England artists.

· Jessica Roscio is Associate Curator at Danforth Art. Prior to joining Danforth Art, she held positions at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C., and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Roscio has an M.A. in Art History from the University at Buffalo and a Ph.D. in American Studies, with a focus on the History of Photography, from Boston University.

· Francine Weiss is an independent curator and educator. In her most recent position as the Curator at the Photographic Resource Center, Francine organized exhibitions of contemporary photography and editedLoupe journal. Prior to working at the PRC, Francine served as Acting Assistant Curator in the Dept. of Photographs at the National Gallery of Art. Currently a visiting critic and professor in the MFA program at the New Hampshire Institute of Art, Francine critiques and advises students on their portfolios.

Danforth Art Museum/ School
123 Union Avenue
Framingham, MA 01702
508-620-0050
www.danforthart.org

Art Quilters’ Retreat by Dee Conlon, This September in Hawaii

Aloha! Are you looking for a way to combine fiber art with a tropical vacation?  Well, here you go. Dee Conlon will be hosting the first of a series of Art Quilters' Retreats on Maui this September.

Create on Maui will happen from September 2 - 8, 2015 in South Maui.  We will dye fabric and learn a variety of techniques to enhance our quilts, with lots of time left to enjoy the beauty of our island. The cost per person is $795, but there is a discount for SAQA members and an Early Bird discount, bringing the price down to only $650!  That includes plenty of fabric for dyeing, all breakfasts and lunches, and more. www.createonmaui.com

Registration is open for the September event, and will open shortly for the December event (as soon as details of the classes are completed).  I hope you can join us for a fun and productive week! ~Dee Conlon www.deesquiltdesigns.com

Next SAQA Meeting: April 25, 2015 at the Willoughby Wallace Library (Branford, CT)

Please join us!  Our next SAQA-CT Regional Meeting will be at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library in Branford, CT – Saturday, April 25, 2015.  The meeting will run from 10 am – 2 pm.
While you’re visiting the library, take a few moments to enjoy “CLOTH WORKS”, a fiber art exhibition by Sisters in Cloth, Shoreline Art Quilters.

(image: Gulara, Centinnial Garden and Aquaria by R.Wolek)

Meeting Agenda:

Lecture: The “Write” Stuff: Tips and ideas for submitting your art and projects for publication
By Normajean Brevik
Time: Apx. 30 minutes with Q&A to follow
SAQA member Normajean Brevik will give us an overview of the process that she uses when submitting her artwork for publication. She has been published in dozens of magazines and books in the fiber and mixed media fields.  Recently Normajean appeared on “Classroom Connections”, a public access TV show hosted by our very own SAQA-CT artist Jan Doyle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knAkCWpaaI4 

Normajean Brevik is on on the C&T Publishing team testing new products. Normajean creates innovative projects to introduce new product lines to the consumer. Her prototypes have been used in product packaging, published in their books and used at trade shows.
NOTE:  Normajean is also defining some workshop ideas for those who want more personalize help in the writing process.

Updates from our members
Parlor meetings, SAQA-CT Trunk Show Committee, and the Piecemakers Quilt Guild Show scheduled for 2016.

Lunch – Please sign up for boxed lunch by Fri. April 17th. Contact Barb Adams
b.c.adams @ comcast.com Cost of boxed lunch is $10 – pay when you arrive at the meeting.

SHOW & TELL – Always a crowd pleaser, fiber artwork by SAQA-CT artists and their invited guests

Updates from your SAQA Reps: 
Managing your “mySAQA” account on www.saqa.com
Delivery of future SAQA-CT emails

Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library
146 Thimble Island Road
Branford, CT
(203) 488-8702
http://wwml.org

Cloth Works Exhibition by Sisters in Cloth, Opening Reception April 12 (Branford, CT)

Sisters in Cloth, Shoreline Art Quilters invite you to the opening of Cloth Works, an exhibition of fiber art at the Willoughby Wallace Library in Branford, CT. The show will be on display March 27 – April 29, 2105.

Opening Reception: Sunday, April 12 from 4 - 6 PM

Members of Sisters in Cloth include Alice Chittenden, Mary Lyn Page, Gina Frank, Linda Zimmerman, Diane Wright, Robin Wolek, Marie Shepherd, Ruth Anne Olson, Carol Ludington, Gail Kotowski, Yvette Howard, Vivika Hansen DeNegre, Debra Bento, Jannine Anderson-Bays and Barbara C. Adams.

The exhibition includes a series of pieces featuring linocut-printed fabric by Australian artist Dijanne Cevaal, called “Sentinelles”.

Several of the Sisters in Cloth artists chose a Cevaal panel and then stitched, embroidered, painted or otherwise embellished it in whatever way they liked (see one example by Ruth Anne Olson, below).

Our next SAQA-CT regional meeting will be at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library on April 25, 2015.  Come to the meeting and enjoy the Cloth Works show!

Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library
146 Thimble Island Road
Branford, CT
http://wwml.org/

New Exhibition with Melanie Johnston and Joan Blade Johnson (Southbridge, MA)

SAQA-CT artists Melanie Johnston and Joan Blade Johnson are very excited about their upcoming exhibit in nearby Southbridge, MA.  Melanie and Joan are joined by Sheila Rae Lutz for “TEXTURE”.

Fiber is woven into the history of humankind. It shelters us, it carries us into the heavens, it sails us across seas to new discoveries, it warms our babes, and wipes our tears.   But it can also inspire, move our spirits, and cleanse our souls.  When it does that, it transcends into something unimaginably beautiful…into something that only our spirit can understand.

Quinebaug Valley Council for the Arts and Humanities (QVCAH) is proud to have found three Fiber Artists who capture this very thing.  TEXTURE, a collection of fine fiber art, will be on exhibit in the galleries of QVCAH from March 28th through April 26th.  

Please join them at the opening reception TODAY!  Saturday, March 28  4pm to 8pm.

 

TEXTURE Exhibit at the Quinebaug Valley Council for the Arts and Humanities

Quinebaug Valley Council for the Arts and Humanities
111 Main Street
Southbridge, MA 01550
508-764-3341

SAQA Artists in Contemporary Fibers at Lore Degenstein Gallery (Selinsgrove, PA)

Congratulations to SAQA-CT member Kate Themel, one of 10 artists invited to participate in "Contemporary Fiber: Breaking Tradition" at the Lore Degenstein Gallery. The show runs from April 11 – May 11, 2015.

Participating artists include Beth Carney, Linda Colsh, Jane Dunnewold, Valerie Goodwin, Meredith Grimsley, Katie Pasquini-Masopust, Mary Pal, Susan Shie and Paula Swett.

Meet the artists at the opening reception Saturday, April 11 from 7 to 9PM

Lore Degenstein Gallery at Susquehanna University
Degenstein Campus Center, upper level
514 University Avenue
Selinsgrove, PA 17870
http://www.susqu.edu/arts/gallery.asp 

New Mentorship Webinar for SAQA Members: March 31

SAQA is thrilled to announce the first Mentorship Webinar for 2015. Please join us for “Inventory, Productivity and Organization!”

SAQA members Barb McKie, Susie Monday and Jane Davila will share techniques they use to track inventory of their artwork, maximize productivity and stay organized as active, professional artists. Whether you use a Mac, a PC, an iPad or pen and paper, you’ll find some nuggets of inspiration for new ways to stay organized and productive.

SAQA Mentorship Webinar: Inventory, Productivity and Organization!
Tuesday, March 31 at 12 noon ET

SAQA Members: Please click the following link to register. Registration is limited, but members will have access to the full audio and video recording of the webinar on the SAQA website within a few days after the event.  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2699006742228219906

Not a SAQA member yet? Join today and open the door to new opportunities for your artwork and career!

Exhibition and Sale this Weekend at the Spectrum Gallery (Centerbrook, CT)

The exhibit "A Show of Hands - The Fiber Arts" now showing at the Spectrum Gallery at 61 Main Street in Centerbrook, Connecticut will be ending on Sunday, March 15th.

This show includes fiber art by SAQACT members Clara Nartey and Catherine Smith.

This weekend March 7th and 8th is their sale weekend when you will receive 10% off in the store and online at  http://www.spectrumartgallery.org  (members receive 20% off ).

Visit their “SPECTRUM/GALLERY ANYTIME”  where you can shop online year-round for unique fine art and high-quality crafts.  Remember your purchase provides funds for the Programs and Exhibits of the nonprofit Arts Center Killingworth and the Arts Center’s Spectrum Gallery and Store.

A Show of Hands – The Fiber Arts

January 23 – March 15, 2015

(image: Limelights by C.Nartey)

(image: Twins with Matching Hats by C.Smith)

Spectrum Gallery presents the work of tri-state artists who use plant, animal, or synthetic fibers to create fine art, decorative and functional home décor, distinctive jewelry and accessories.

See Artists currently exhibiting in the Gallery

See Artists currently exhibiting in the Store

Spectrum Gallery and Store, an expansion of the Arts Center Killingworth, opened in the spring of 2014 and presents approximately five annual exhibits showcasing painting, mixed media, sculpture and photography. The Store offers fine crafts in fabric, glass, ceramics, pottery, jewelry and more. Educational and interactive events such as classes and workshops, artist discussions and demos, and family day events are also offered at the Gallery. See their calendar of events here.

Carol Vinick Juried into Whistler House Museum: Pursuing Justice Through Art 2015 (Lowell, MA)

Congratulations to SAQA-CT artist Carol Vinick!
Carol's fiber artwork "Tikkun Olam" has been accepted into the Pursuing Justice Through Art exhibition at the Whistler House Museum (Lowell, MA).

(image: Tikkun Olam by C.Vinick)

Tikkun olam (תיקון עולם or תקון עולם‎) is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world" or "healing the world".

Pursuing Justice Through Art: 2015
A Multi-Cultural Genocide Exhibition and Symposium

Exhibition: March 18-April 25, 2015
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 21 from 2–4 pm
Symposium: Sat., April 18 from 1-4 pm

LOWELL, MA - As April is International Genocide Month, the Whistler House Museum of Art is planning a Multi-Cultural Genocide exhibition and symposium entitled Pursuing Justice Through Art: 2015.  In conjunction with the symposium, which will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 18, there will be an art exhibition which will be presented in the Parker Gallery. 

The exhibition runs from March 18 to April 25, where works of art will be displayed by artists whose themes are rooted in genocide and holocaust memories and commemoration. The opening reception for the exhibition will take place on Saturday, March 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

For more information and a list of all participating artists, visit: http://whistlerhouse.org/index.php/exhibits/parker-gallery/80-pursuingjusticethroughart2015