Friday, December 28, 2012

Solo Exhibition by Ed Johnetta Miller at Windsor Art Center (Windsor, CT) Reception Jan. 19, 2013

January 19 – March 2, 2013
EdJohnetta Miller, Solo Fiber Exhibition “Fibers & Friends”
Opening reception January 19, 5-7 PM

EdJohnettaMiller_

A fiber artist, quilter, teacher, curator and lecturer, Ed Johnetta Fowler-Miller is acknowledged to be one of the most creative and colorful improvisational quilt makers in the U.S. Widely exhibited in the U.S. and internationally, her quilts can be found in many important museums, corporate and private collections including, The National Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.; Nelson Mandela's National Museum in Cape town, South Africa; and the Wadsworth Athenaeum.

Windsor Art Center (The Freight House)
40 Mechanic Street
Windsor, CT 06095
(860) 688-2528
www.windsorartcenter.org

WAC Gallery Hours:
Thursday 6pm – 8pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Sunday 11am – 4pm

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

SAQA-CT, eQuilter and FedEx Team Up to Help Hurricane Victims

On October 29, 2012 the Northeast coast of the United States was hit with a devastating hurricane.  Many residents of Connecticut were forced to evacuate their 2012Dec (1)homes, and returned to find severe wind and water damage.  New Jersey and New York suffered flooding, power outages and fires that wiped out whole neighborhoods.

Landing on the most densely populated area of the United States, Hurricane Sandy left thousands of people homeless.

Luana Rubin, owner of eQuilter.com, decided to help.  Securing warehouse space from Timeless Treasures, Luana put out a call to collect quilts and bedding for those in need.

And a group of artists in Connecticut answered the call.  The members of Sisters in Cloth organized a quilt drive they named "reCOVERy”. 

At our recent regional meeting, members of SAQA-CT donated quilts, bedding and money for the cause.  This week, Diane Wright sent a message to Luana Rubin at eQuilter (excerpt):Wright_donations

“We are shipping off tomorrow seven boxes of donated quilts and other bedding from members of SAQA/CT:  about 200 pounds of warmth.  They include 5 sets of flannel sheets, 10 crib/lap quilts, 16 twin quilts and 5 full/double quilts.  Then, FEDEX generously offered to ship our seven boxes for free!! 

We used our shipping funds to purchase more from Bed Bath and Beyond…and with free shipping, another twin and two doubles should be arriving soon.

Thank you for spearheading this.  It has helped us feel like we could help.”

 

THANK YOU, members of SAQA-CT, for your generosity!  And FedEx, for helping a worthy cause and getting these donations quickly to those who need it.  And of course, thanks to everyone at eQuilter and Timeless Treasures for providing a pathway to help people in need.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Monday, December 10, 2012

SAQA-CT Regional Meeting in Guilford

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Another great one!  Saturday’s regional meeting at the Guilford Free Library was one of our best yet.  Over 50 people - SAQA members and guests - made the trip to catch up with friends, meet new people, see the Sisters in Cloth exhibition and share their own fiber art as well.

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We started out with a few announcements:

  • First, a big Thank You to the members of Sisters in Cloth, for hosting this meeting and providing lunch. 
  • For other members who belong to small art groups or guilds, please consider combining your next get together with a SAQA regional meeting.  You don’t even have to feed us! (but we never object to a free lunch).  What we really need is enough room and chairs for 30+ people.  Any ideas for meeting venues? Please contact Kate Themel or Diane Wright.
  • SAQA-CT’s regional exhibition “Local Color” is now officially SAQA-approved and the prospectus can be found on SAQA’s website (as well as on this blog).  Members can log into saqa.com and see a preview of the on line entry form: http://saqacallforentries7.com/ 
  • On line entries for “Local Color” will be open Jan 15 – Feb 15, 2013
  • Please welcome your next CT Co-Reps, Catherine Whall Smith and Barbara C. Adams!  Kate Themel will be stepping down in April 2013 and Diane Wright will stay until the end of 2013.  In the meantime Kate and Diane will remain as mentors, gradually transitioning responsibilities to Cathy and Barb.
  • Kate and Diane will remain as managing curators for “Local Color” until the exhibition closes.  Check the Local Color facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Local-Color-Fiber-Art-in-Connecticut/210938965706155?ref=hl

Then onto the Gift Bag Giveaways!
As a way to thank the members of
SAQA-CT for their enthusiasm, creativity and friendship, Kate gave away 2 tote bags filled with fiber-art-making goodies.  In random drawings, the bags were taken home by Dierdre Abbots and Timi Bronson. 
Bobbie Morehouse also donated a book on embroidery, won by Lina Lawall. 

Show and Tell was inspiring, enlightening and fun, as always.  You can see some of the artists and their work in the slideshow below.  For the uninitiated: our Show and Tell time is usually the high point of our meetings.  Everyone (including guests) are encouraged to bring something to share.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a quilt.  We’re interested in ANY kind of fiber art. 

There were so many participants we had to break for lunch half way through.  And the variety of work!  We saw a bit of everything - beautiful traditional quilts, wall hangings, stitched paper, felted bags, embellished clothing, even photo-printed soda cans!

Lunch and Shopping
Members were treated to a delicious lunch as they socialized, enjoyed the artwork on display, and shopped for fabric and books.  Carol Eaton had a table full of her stunning hand-dyed fabrics for sale.  And Rita Hannifin brought books and catalogs from the SAQA store.

Thank you, Sisters in Cloth, for hosting this event.  The “Indigo” and “Postage Stamp” challenge quilts were inspiring!  And everyone I talked to loved the homemade soups, not to mention the stuffed breads and great desserts!

The Sisters also rallied our generous CT members for a good cause.  Quilts, blankets, sheets and over $250 was collected for the “reCOVERy” effort – to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Several CT members wanted to come but weren’t able to attend this time.  We hope to see you at the next one, tentatively planned for February 2013. Check this blog for details as they become available.

Thank you to everyone who came to Guilford this weekend, and for ALL the members of SAQA Connecticut who make this such a special group! 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

New Exhibit by Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective (Prospect, CT)

The latest exhibition of fiber art by Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective (CFAC) opens December 1st at the Prospect Public Library

“Connecticut Landscapes” runs from December 1st – 31st, 2012

Eaton_FacescapesThe artists of CFAC live in Connecticut and were challenged to interpret their idea of a Connecticut landscape using fabric, fibers and found objects.

The pieces are unique and beautiful; please stop by during the month of December to view their works.

Prospect Public Library
17 Center Street
Prospect, CT 06712
(203) 758-3001
http://www.prospectct.com/library/

(image: Facescapes by C.Eaton)

Participating artists: Carol Vinick, Antonia Torres, Roz Spann, Mary Lachman, Karen Loprete, Carol Eaton and Diane Cadrain 

To learn more about the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective, visit their blog:
http://ctfac.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Kate Themel: Solo Show at Funky Monkey Café (Cheshire, CT)

The Funky Monkey CafĂ© & Gallery presents: New Light: Exhibition of Fiber Art by Kate Themel.  The show includes Kate’s most recent work, including NYE in NYC (shown on postcard).

The “New Light” exhibition is on display now until December 30, 2012.

NYEpostcardCUT_thumb6 

The Funky Monkey Café & Gallery is located at:
130 Elm Street
Watch Factory Shoppes
Cheshire, CT 06410
www.thefunkymonkeycafe.com

Hours:
Monday 10am – 4pm
Tues, Wed, Thurs 10am – 8pm
Friday 10am – 10pm
Saturday 9am – 10pm
Closed on Sundays

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Artwork by Karen Loprete at Six Summit Gallery (Ivoryton, CT)

SAQA-CT artist Karen Loprete will exhibit her fiber artwork “Time and Time Again” as part of the Illumination of Imagination Art Celebration at Six Summit Gallery, juried by David T. Wenzel.

Loprete_TimeTimeAgain

The Illumination of Imagination show runs November 12 – December 31, 2012

Opening Reception Saturday December 1st from 6 – 9 PM

Six Summit Gallery
6 Summit Street
Ivoryton, Connecticut 06442

For more information visit http://www.sixsummitgallery.com/Home.html

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Diane Cadrain in West Hartford Art League Juried Show

west_hartford_art_league

SAQA-Connecticut artist Diane Cadrain’s felted work Dog in Eel Grass (see image, below) has been juried into the multi media art exhibition West Hartford Art League Juried Members Show

Diane’s piece was inspired by her dog Java, a standard poodle, playing in the deep grass in Cape Cod.  Diane even used some of Java’s fur in the felting.

The WHAL show runs until November 25, 2012

Cadrain_DoginEelGrass

West Hartford Art League
37 Buena Vista Road
West Hartford, CT 06107
(860) 231-8019
http://westhartfordart.org/current-exhibtions/ 

Congratulations, Diane!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Sisters in Cloth Collecting Quilts for Victims of Hurricane Sandy

Please read this important message from Sisters in Cloth:

In response to eQuilter Luana Rubin's plea to donate 5000 quilts in the next three months to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, our group has been moved to action.  We are making...and looking through our stashes of already made (or partially made) bed quilts.  We are also offering to ship other area quilt donations along with our own.

The plea from eQuilter...and the need...is for bed sized quilts. 

If you live in our area and want to join us:
Contact
Sisters in Cloth before Dec. 8, or comment on this blog.  The Sisters will coordinate packing and shipping to Timeless Treasures, who has volunteered to warehouse the donations for eQuilter.  And, don't forget to label your contribution!

Consider donating quilts or money to the effort:  details are on eQuilter's website at the bottom of the website, titled Hurricane Sandy.

SAQA Members in CT and surrounding areas: If you plan to attend the CT Regional meeting at Guilford Library on December 8, 2012 you can bring your bed quilt donations (as well as any you collect from friends and family) to the meeting.  Members of Sisters in Cloth will collect them and arrange shipping.

Thank you everyone!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Shoreline Arts Trail: Open Studios Weekend Nov 17-18, 2012

Don’t Miss Shoreline ArtsTrail 2012 Open Studios Weekend
November 17-18, 2012

Shoreline-ArtsTrail-2012

Thirty three artists will participate in this year’s Shoreline ArtsTrail, spanning Guilford, Madison and Branford, from paint to pottery and all media in between.

SAQA-CT fiber artists Diane Wright and Vivika DeNegre will be displaying and selling their work at Guilford Art Center, located at 411 Church Street in Guilford CT.

Now in its eleventh year, the ArtsTrail and its Open Studio Weekend is better than ever. Visitors are able to get a real feel for the artists and their work. One-on-one explanations illuminate the how's and why's that go into the design and development of each piece.

Let the yellow Open Studios signs lead the way. Meet the artists. Discover the unique fine arts and crafts that the Connecticut shoreline has to offer.  For more information, download the ArtsTrail brochure or call Owen Sea Luckey at 203-623-6792 or Kristin Merrill at 203-589-6995.

“Like” them on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shoreline-ArtsTrail/262873880407544

Or visit the Shoreline ArtsTrail website for more information:
http://www.shorelineartstrail.com/index.html

Friday, October 26, 2012

Carol Eaton: Solo Show at Kent Memorial Library (Kent, CT)

Kent Memorial Library presents “Explorations in Fiber” a solo exhibition of fiber art by Carol Eaton.  The show will run November - December, 2012.

Gallery talk and demonstration on November 3rd from 3:00 - 5:00.

Please stop by the library, see the show and speak to the artist next Saturday!

Kent Memorial Library
32 North Main Street
Kent, CT 06757
(860) 927-3761

See more of Carol’s hand dyed fabrics and art quilts on her blog:
http://carolreatondesigns.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Textile Exhibition at UCONN Contemporary Art Galleries, Opens Nov. 5, 2012

CROSSROADS: Textiles by Vibeke Rohland
November 5 – December 7, 2012

image
Exhibition’s and Artist Reception
Monday November 5, 2012
5:00 to 6:30 PM
Vibeke Rohland in Conversation at 4:00 PM, prior to the artist’s reception

imageWhere do the lines lie between art and craft, or between art and design? The art world has traditionally divided these disciplines, privileging fine art over the applied arts - but this division devalues the dialogue between fine and graphic artists.

In Crossroads, the new exhibition at the Contemporary Art Galleries, Danish artist and textile designer Vibeke Rohland passionately engages with the intersection of visual art and design. Her work deliberately blurs the lines that have been drawn between the fine and applied arts for so long, and explores the ways that art and design influence each other and come together. Most of all, it asserts that design is equal to fine art, and that the dialogue between the disciplines is vital in both directions.

Contemporary Art Galleries
UCONN Art & Art History Building
830 Bolton Road
Storrs, CT 06269
860-486-1511
http://contemporaryartgalleries.uconn.edu/

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

CT Regional Meeting, October 6, 2012

Thanks to the organization of SAQA-CT Co-Rep Diane Wright, about 35 SAQA artists and friends were able to get together at the Guilford Art Center (Guilford, CT) for another great meeting.

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For those of you who were not able to attend, here are some of the highlights:

Updates on SAQA-CT Regional Exhibition “Local Color”

  • We now have 2 jurors on board for the show.  Fran Phillips, Adjunct Professor of Art at Seton Hall University and Michele Palmer, author and board member at Windham Textile and History Museum.
  • Reminder that on line entry opens JANUARY 15, 2013 – entries will be accepted through SAQA’s on line system using digital photos.  Please remember to take clear, HIGH resolution photos of your work; we are planning to use them for an exhibition catalog.
  • A few questions from members about what will be accepted: Group work IS acceptable as long as the artists are all SAQA-CT members.  Also, due to the fact that we need to transport the collection from one venue to the next, sculptural/free standing work cannot be accepted.  Framed and mounted pieces are being discussed, and we’ll keep everyone informed of the final decision.  But logistically, it would be preferable to have the ability to roll up wall hanging pieces for storage and delivery.
  • More information about the show can be found on this blog, under the “Local Color” tab

Guilford Art League’s 65th Annual Juried Exhibition and Sale - We were fortunate to have our meeting surrounded by this beautiful all-media art show. 
Guilford Art Center
411 Church Street
Guilford, CT 06437
(203) 453-5947
www.guilfordartcenter.org

Fiber Art Show and Tell!  Always a crowd pleaser!  We got to see so many different forms of fiber art, from Diane Cadrain’s felted work to Claire Willis’ colorful pieces made with woven strips of copper.  See photos from our meeting, below.

2012Oct_DWright2Private Viewing of Aboriginal Art - After the Meeting at GAC, many of us carpooled to Diane Wright’s house, to see her extensive collection of Aboriginal art.  Diane shared the background stories of some individual pieces, and explained the meanings behind certain shapes. 

2012Oct_DWrightIt would take much longer than an afternoon to fully understand the symbolism and spiritual significance of this art form, of course.  But we were able to get a very informative overview from an expert and passionate collector; many of us were inspired to find out more about Aboriginal art on our own. 

As always, it was an inspiring day.  Thanks again Diane for organizing the venue and for opening your home to us. 

 

Our NEXT regional meeting will be at the Guilford Free Library on December 8, 2012 courtesy of Sisters in Cloth.  Stay tuned for more details!

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