Monday, September 14, 2015

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).

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(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.

Tea 
Carol Vinick

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:
 Carol Eaton

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.

 Anonia Torres

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.

 Wanda Seldon
Rosalind Spann

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.

Linda F. Martin

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.

Mary Lachman

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/

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