Almost February already!

Admin note first: If you are being forwarded these posts in your email, and don't see images, please check your email settings to allow images, if you don't want to actually read by clicking on the link in the email. (Gmail for instance has a setting in each received email that will "allow display" for each individual email, or "always allow from this source".) Different browsers, cookies, cache and operating systems will also affect the appearance and information "allowed" to display in these emails. Karin and i work hard to get the information to you in a timely manner and appreciate your patience and good will in fixing problems.

 SDA Canada Show update:

Can *you* help? Want to be more involved in your area/group?

(Again, our apologies if the jpg does not show in a forwarded email, see Admin note at beginning of post please.)

VIDEO:

Canada, and North America itself, does not have the same long historical records in and of textile arts that Europe and the "Old World" does. We are not able to claim and  to exclaim over Bayeux Tapestries, gorgeous Renaissance Ecclesiastical robes, or examples of Middle Ages needlework done on this continent. We do however have a few artists who are starting to work with old imagery from the first explorers, as witnessed by the work of Heather Cameron (Gabriola Island BC) as she "translates" the Codex Canadensis manuscript into embroidery.



Specific entries about this project can be found on a dedicated page here and in entries about the original artist Father Louis Nicholas, a Jesuit priest and would be scholar.


On a side note, the main SDA newsblog has a thought provoking post about the use of cultural symbols, their exploitation, misinterpretations and violation of intellectual property rights. (I am NOT however intimating that Heather is breaking any such issues!)


Miscellaneous interest:

Student Art Guide "This website has been created to help high school Art students excel. It contains ideas, help and guidance from students and teachers around the world." While it is focused on secondary and post secondary education, it is a good resource for developing basic skills in drawing, painting and various sub genres and applications. Joining is free and there's quite a bit of interesting information, as well as forums, galleries and resource links. I joined awhile ago, but haven't posted as i feel a bit out of my league in some areas, *and* due to my age! :)



A wonderful design and historical research project here. The Harris Museum and Art Gallery has digitized the 700 textile samples from The Textile Manufactures of India, an 18 volume set of fabric sample books put together in 1866 by John Forbes Watson and published by the India Office of the British Government.


A bit of fluff for fun:

I think whomever wrote the descriptions for these fashionable ladies from 1883 would be very good at ArtSpeak :)

What sort of presentation do you use for your textile art? Do you add the obligatory "sleeve" on the back following the Quilt Show Rules, or do you mount on canvases? If you need help to figure this out, there's a clear tutorial here.



How to broaden your market--off line in a real gallery? Online? Tips and things to remember.

Please send information about your own workshops, exhibits, publications etc to Karin or myself for inclusion on this blog. Promote yourself!

October end

EXHIBITIONS:

Room by Martina MacFarlane and Amanda McCavour, Art Gallery of Saint Albert, St Albert, AB


Date: October 3 - November 2, 2013
Location: Art Gallery of Alberta, 19 Perron Street, St. Albert, AB

Room features large acrylic paintings by Martina MacFarlane and thread installation works by Amanda McCavour. This exhibition presents notions of the home as both a physical and en emotional space.


For further information visit: artgalleryofstalbert.ca


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Diane Krys

I'm very pleased to offer an invitation to my first solo show. I'm  honored to be having it at the Alberta Craft Council's Discovery Gallery from Oct 26-Nov30, 2013.   My journey with fiber started with rug hooking. It opened my eyes to the wider world of fiber and I soon went on to learn and explore many other techniques and mediums including knitting, crocheting, wet and dry felting.  A few years ago these parallel explorations began to merge as I developed my own techniques to bring knitting, felting and rug hooking together  in my work.  I created a new language  that allowed me to express myself  in a completely new way.  Flat planes of color and pattern have become sculptural expressions with new stories to share.

 I would love to meet more of my fellow SDA members and other fiber enthusiasts. I welcome you to come and say hello at the artist's reception on Saturday Nov.2 from 2-4. Please feel free to get in touch any other time as well.  It doesn't take much to lure me out to talk about art and fiber! (Diane Krys)
Diane also ha sguest blogged here and here.





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On a side note, Diane Duncan's group show at the Canyon Meadows Community Hall was attended by almost 500 people! A well rounded and diverse show, you can see some of it here. I was amazed at the variety of work!


WORKSHOPS:

 Terriea Kwong - international felting artist coming to Langley. Get excited...please help me give a big welcome to Terriea Kwong! She is coming to North America to teach many felt making classes! Starting November 25, Terriea Kwong will be sharing her expertise with us in making a 3D felt clutch purses, or a 3D vessels and/or Eco print scarves. 

    Below is a sneak peak at Terriea's background!

        I love travel and nature.   Natural and handmade crafts are my favorites.  I enjoy the process of handmaking from ceramics to fabrics & fibres.    Some years ago I saw a seamless  wool pouch in a  Cambridge crafts market and wondering how it’s made.  My curiosity brought me to source the roots of felt making. Found wool a marvelous medium and addicted to felt making since 2009.  My passion drives me to pursue  and explore the versatility of wool.

Wool felt is my favorite pastime and I’m very pleased to share with like-minded.   Since 2009 I’ve offered  almost 50 open and private workshops .  I love fibre art and have recently explored eco dyeing and printing.  My works  are  inspired by nature.  I like to do eco prints with leaves – the environmental friendly art.   It’s fun to share the beauty of felting and tutorials  via my blog http://terriekwong.blogspot.com. Please check out  Terriea's blog to see all the wonderful pictures of her work.
Natural print scarf:
    Using natural resources to create unique scarf with leaves prints. Students are taught to make prints with shades of rose leaves and eucalyptus prints on silk scarves. And while the bundles are boiling we will make a wool felt flower brooch or bracelet. 

    Two Dates:
    November 25, 2013 and/or November 30,2013 (this is the same class just two different days)
    Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
    Place: Langley, BC  (walnut grove area) please message me for the address
    Fee: $125.00 incl. materials.
    ** please note: students must bring two bath size towels
   
Wool felt clutch with 3D textural flap :
    The wool felt clutch (handbag) with 3D texture is a unique design of the flap.  After learning the technique of making the 3D textural surface, students can apply such design on other wool felt objects to create the rich texture look

    Date: November 26, 2013
    Time: 10:00 - approximately 4:00 pm
    Place: Langley, BC ( walnut grove area, please message me for the address)
    Fee: $95.00 incl. materials.
    

    3D hollow vessel:
    The 3D hollow vessel will be a fun class learning how to make seamless items to hold many of your favourite things. Once you learn this technique you will have endless ideas for future hollow projects!
    Date: November 27, 2013
    Time: 10:00 - 3:00pm
    Place: Langley, BC ( walnut grove area, please message me for the address)
    Fee: $75.00 incl. materials.
  
If you would like to experience a wonderful time with Terriea Kwong who is a well known international felt maker please contact Sharon Gerhart at 604 916-7633  or email her at gerhart.sharon@gmail.com to book your seat! Seating is limited book your class now as classes will fill up quickly!





MISCELLANEOUS:



Arts For All Grant Program
Deadlines: November 15, 2013 & May 30, 2014

The Arts for All Program is open to individuals, collectives and organizations and will fund art projects that will increase artistic activities and opportunities within the Greater Forest Lawn community. Preference will be given to applicants who are located in Greater Forest Lawn, although applicants from outside the community will also be considered if their projects value participation from local artists and community members as well as the participation of artists, organizations and community members from diverse backgrounds. Applicants are encouraged to connect with International Avenue BRZ early in their project planning to get acquainted with the community and learn about opportunities available, such as artBOX on 17E.

Further Information:
View grant description here
Contact Cadence Mandybura (Community Manager, Calgary Arts Development)
403.264.5330 ext 201 (office) | cadence.mandybura@calgaryartsdevelopment.com

Artist Opportunity Grant Program
Deadline: ongoing

The Artist Opportunity Grant Program is being piloted in 2013 and 2014 to invest in professional development opportunities for individual professional artists With no set deadlines for applications, the program will allow artists to take advantage of short-term opportunities that will develop their careers.

If you have questions about the program or the application process, please email grants@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or call 403.476.203. Learn more here

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New website for Calgary artisans: New Craft Coalition

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Craft Sale: Edmonton Weavers' Guild - Edmonton, AB
Date: Saturday, November 2, 10am - 3:30 pm Location: Strathcona Community League, 10139 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB Admission: $3.00

 The Edmonton Weavers' Guild is holding their annual Weaving, Spinning & Fibreworks Show & Sale. All sale items have been juried to ensure you will find nothing but the best in artisan products. For more information visit: http://edmontonweavers.org/

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GIVE IT YOUR BEST SWATCH! Contribute your work to the history of textile art & design.

Now soliciting new swatches for "Best Of" Swatch Collection #4 - loaded with examples of innovative process, masterful application plus any downright gorgeous or distinctive fabric you've created.

 DEADLINE:  DECEMBER 1 Download Submission Guidelines + Form at www.surfacedesign.org/get-involved/sda-swatch-collection 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 ELEANOR HANNAN

Anni Hunt has produced a video of an interview with Eleanor Hannan, whom many of you know either as an artist, friend or teacher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Kt2ZpKL7o&feature=youtu.be

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COMMON THREADS

 Thomas Roach and Sheila Wex gave a presentation last month at the Vancouver SDA show, about the Common Threads project. Some of you may be interested in following the progress of that project - check out http://common-threads-125.tumblr.com/ for lots of pics and information. We in the Lower Mainland will have a chance to see the completed masterpieces hanging in the Cathedral, in due course.


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We *will* be doing a "report" on the Oct 17th meeting with Lois Klassen and the "Slofemist Project", but are waiting for more photos and information!

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I (arlee) have "nagged" everyone about sharing information on the blog so we can all get to know each other, and Karin reminded me that i too am capable of doing that, so...... i'm personally pleased to have several online interviews this month. They are similar, but answer different questions. Ancora part 1      Ancora part 2   TextileArtist.org part 1

October notes

Don't forget our special "collaborative" meeting on the 17th! 


 Artist Spotlight:

Pat Strakowski

                    "Women" from group show "Hanging by a Thread" at Alberta Craft Council Gallery Edmonton, artist: Pat Strakowski


"I have been creating paper mache sculptures since the 1980’s. About 7 years ago I became interested in books as ready made sculptural objects that I would alter. My love of embellishing my artworks give each book its unique persona as I develop its pages and cover. I am never in a rush to finish the book I am working on. For inspiration I look for the unusual ." 

Pat also has a book, available here, about her work.


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Again, we are reminding members to please send information, photos and news to keep everyone apprised of what is happening. It's in your best interests to publicize yourselves!!!! Don't hide your lights under a bushel basket: share or i'm going to start emailing you one by one and cajoling and flattering you with questions!

  P.S.  A "label" widget has been added to the side bar, so you can more easily find specific topics.

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Kensington Art Supplies is moving to a new location in January:

And so is STASH.


 There's a new art venue in the SE: 

Grand Opening: Art Box on 17E - Calgary, AB

Date: Thursday, October 3, 2013 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Location: 1807 42 Street Southeast, Calgary, AB

Join us for our dinner themed party even Peter Sellers would be proud of....
Plus a special announcement of funding opportunities by CADA for artists....Don't miss it!

It's the Grand Opening of Art Box on 17E - check out the transformation and the possibilities. What was an empty building and former paint store to a thunderbolt of exploding ideas and dynamic art, music & shows. 
Art Box on 17E is a project of International Avenue BRZ and Calgary Arts Development Authority.

Well, we missed the opening, but do check it out on a "normal" day :)

 

EXHIBITS:

Epcor Centre    Rosemary Brown: Plastic Fantastic  




Calls For Entry:

Some of these have been highlighted in previous posts, but are reminders to you.

EPCOR CENTRE Ledge Gallery Artist Residency 2014
Deadline: 4:00 PM on Monday, November 4, 2013
Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts is announcing a call for submissions of visual art open to all professional Calgary artists (please note that students are not eligible). EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts will select one local visual artist to create new work in the Ledge Gallery throughout the months of June and July, 2014. The artwork will then be exhibited for the month of August, 2014. An artist CARFAC exhibition fee as well as a total of $2000.00 in financial support to assist with material costs and subsistence will be provided. Email Tammy McGrath  tmcgrath@epcorcentre.org


PLEASE NOTE: THE BELOW IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST ONLY. THE OFFICIAL CALL WILL BE IN JANUARY OF 2014 ******Expression of Interest for Surface Design Association exhibition Edge of the Forest: Exploring Perimeters
 

Boundaries, borders and edges... To what extent is a country defined by its perimeter...by the choices and placement of edges? Whether political, historical, psychological and/or geographical, our comprehension and expression of these points of delineation represent integral parts of who we are, both as individuals and collectively. Be it selvedge to selvedge, raw edge or treated, our textiles have unavoidable beginnings and endings. How these are handled can be as varied as the makers themselves. The SDA welcomes your rich interpretation of this concept in presenting a diverse Canadian perspective on our boundaries.

Opportunities are being explored to mount this exhibition in a number of venues - at the SDA Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 2015, at the Newfoundland & Labrador Fibre Arts Conference in Gros Morne National Park, October 2015, and elsewhere. A Call for Entry will be sent out by email in 2014 when a venue has been confirmed.

    All Canadian members of the Surface Design Association are invited to participate. Artists must be current members of the Surface Design Association as of January 2015, and resident in Canada.
    All work is to be created within the boundaries of a two-dimensional 16x28 inch rectangle format, to be hung vertically. Specific hanging guidelines are available.
    The work should best represent your current practice, be it experimental or signature style, and speak to the theme expressed above.

Please email your expressions of interest with your name, address, phone number and email address to Melanie Siegel thebeadofmyheart@rogers.com

 
 

 American Tapestry Alliance (ATA) UNTITLED/UNJURIED exhibition
Deadline for Submissions: January 31, 2014

This call is open to all artists working with hand woven tapestry. ATA invites entries not only from artists who work within more traditional definitions of tapestry, but also those artists who work expands upon the core principles of the medium as it explores new techniques and processes.  Multi-media work is welcome as long as the primary technique is tapestry.  The size of the tapestry may not exceed 10" by 10" by 1" deep.  Artists may submit only one piece.  Group challenges and mentoring pairs are encouraged.  Work must be original, executed by the entrant, of recent completion and not shown in a prior ATA show.  UNTITLED will hang at URI Feinstein Providence Campus Gallery, July 1 - August 23, 2014.

For more information and entry forms see here. Questions?  Contact Janet Austin nitsuanaj@verizon.net
   or at 401.885.5595. 

Call for Instructors for Fibre Arts Conference 2015 - Newfoundland and Labrador

Deadline for Proposals: January 31, 2014

Celebrating Craft in Newfoundland and Labrador and Craft Year 2015, Fibre Arts Newfoundland and Labrador will take place from October 15 - 18, 2015 in beautiful Gros Morne National Park.

The Instructor Committee is now calling for proposals from interested designers, makers, and teachers.  We invite you to be creative, and develop sessions that will inspire our Conference participants to reach beyond the boundaries of their current studio practices, and think in new ways, explore new ideas and develop new products.  The Committee welcomes innovation in techniques and materials.

Please follow this link for more information or contact events@craftcouncil.nl.ca for answers.
 

 Miscellaneous:

 Studio Space: UAS announces 5 NEW Studios! - Calgary, AB Application Deadline: October 20, 2013

UAS is excited to announce the creation of 5 new studios in the upper-level of Satellite Gallery! Studio will be roughly 200 square feet, and priced at roughly $260.00 - depending on size and actual square footage. These studios will be available starting November 1st. To book a viewing, please email info@uascalgary.org Learn more about these spaces.

Harcourt House has a large variety of classes for the young and the young at heart. Take a look at their website for more information on classes, or if you have any specific questions please contact Education Programming: Brittney Roy @ 7804264180 | harcourtexhibit@shaw.ca

FEATURED CLASS Marketing Strategies: For Artists
Instructor: Alexis Marie Chute
Date: Saturday, 10:00am - 3:00pm October 19, 2013
Cost: $30 ($20 members)
Maximum: 20 participants. Please RSVP at harcourtexhibit@shaw.ca

We create art in a time of digital literacy. In this course you will learn how to use online tools to market your work and yourself. The goal is to engage your target market, interest the media and establish yourself as a professional in your field. You will learn how to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and a blog to make important connections and attract interest to your work. To top it all off, you will leave the course with a plan to automate these networks so you still have time to make your art! Learn more about this class and others  here.

Most of us have struggled with writing artist statements, bios and CV's. What information is  important? What's the difference between a statement and a bio? Why do i need a CV? From a Vancouver blog focusing on art and art business, lots of information.  Click on the appropriate tag for a wealth of tips and practical advice. 

And from a different site, why do you need an art statement at all? 

Need to stock up on stash?

Craft Sale: Sheep Creek Weavers Fibre Arts Guild - Calgary, ABDate: 10am - 4pm Saturday October 19, 2013
Location: Millarville Racetrack located 20 minutes SW of Calgary, near the intersection of Highways 22 and 549E.

One of a kind finds from local artists! Sheep Creek Weavers, a local fibre arts guild is hosting their ever-popular annual show and sale, Sat. Oct 19 at the Millarville Racetrack, 10 am - 4 pm, with free admission and Tea room.

This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase unique handmade art pieces directly from the artists. Enjoy the country drive and down-home hospitality (just in time to beat the holiday shopping). You'll find a range of beautiful woven, felted, quilted and knitted items and garments, handspun yarns, wall hangings, see a fashion show and gallery of selected pieces from our guild's celebrated artists.

For more information about the sale or the guild, go to: www.sheepcreekweavers.ca




THIS JUST IN:

Perhaps a bit of a drive, but if you are in Vancouver during that time frame:

Just Ten Days Away!
10000 Hours: Craft Invested
The CCF/FCMA and the Craft Council of British Columbia (CCBC) invite you to Vancouver for the 10,000 Hours: Craft Invested Conference. From October 17th to the 20th, 2013, the CCBC will present a wide variety of lectures, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions and a gala fundraiser supporting the work of the CCBC during their 40th Anniversary year.

Conference discussions will be lively, touching on topics such as 'Craft - Origin, Place and Influence', 'Craft and Cultural Migration', 'The Function of Function', 'Craft: A Scary Word', and, closing out the conference, the CCF/FCMA's own National Symposium titled 'Connection & Collection', featuring Dr, Sandra Alfoldy (NSCAD University), Victoria Henry (Canada Art Bank), Jonathon Bancroft-Snell (Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery) and Denis Longchamps (Craft Journal and the Burlington Arts Center). 
With over fifty speakers in total, it will be a whirlwind of debate!
Each panel is $20 per person, or a two day pass can be purchased for $130 (for CCBC Members) or $145 (for non-members). The CCF/FCMA National Symposium is not included in the two day pass, but is a separate $20 ticket for the event, which runs 6-9pm on Saturday, October 19th.


Check out the full schedule of events and register online today!

  

Sad Soucie move

The Sans Soucie studio is moving to the USA.  To Atlanta, Georgia to be exact. 

Two weeks from today, I will be departing for Atlanta and will be the visiting lecturer in Textiles at the Welch School of Art at Georgia State University.

This opportunity presented itself in the last week and I was invited to be the visiting lecturer for the next year with the option to renew for another three. 
The most appealing aspect about this offer is that I will have an opportunity to work with hosiery mills in the area. Given that it has become a challenge to work with mills here in Canada, this is exactly what was needed in order to allow for this work and process to grow. 

It was a difficult decision to make to relocate but it has become quite clear that this is the right path for me and this work to take.  This is not to say I will not return. In fact, my goal is to open a textile mill as I strongly believe in bringing textile production back to Canada.  I fully support the reshoring of garment production, however, I am seeing very little movement in the reshoring of textile production.  Between the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia there are dozens of mills still in production, knitting and weaving.  Needless to say, this is an opportunity for creative exploration, learning and growth. 

With that being said, I will be hosting a studio event on August 16th 5-10pm and on August 17th 12-6pm. 1889 Powell St. ( near Victoria Dr.)

For those of you in Vancouver, this will be a chance to say good bye in person. We welcome you to join us and share a story about your Sans Soucie garment.  This will be your last chance to pick up a piece of Canadian made Sans Soucie for some time.  I will be bringing all my Canadian produced waste to the US and work will be available online for purchase during this transition. 

For those who are not in Vancouver, starting on Monday August 12-20th we will be posting work for sale on our etsy site for purchase. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sanssoucie

We will have new work at full retail pricing, unheard of deals and many things available at wholesale prices!

If anyone would like to book an appointment that is unable to attend out event next weekend please email info@sanssoucie.ca or call the studio 604.428.2808

Thank you to everyone in the last 10 years that have supported the development of this work.  Many great achievements were attained through your support.

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you! Please share and invite your friends!

 best,

Katherine Soucie

Sans Soucie   
clothing and textile design inc.
www.sanssoucie.ca    

www.katherinesoucie.com

Lisa Grey will speak at SDA meeting in Calgary

This is the first information out about the next SDA talk in April.

Mark your calendar.

Lisa Grey will talk to us about her life and work.

Please come willing to be part of an inspiring journey.

Please feel free to share this information!

Date: Thursday 25th April

Time : 7pm - 9pm

Place: Atlantis Fine Framing & Studio (click here for map)

Cost: Free to SDA members.  Non-members $10.

(((Why not join SDA - and get their magnificent journal 4 parts a year, only $60 plus international postage.)))

RSVP - required for Lisa's talk to allow us to assess seating needs and refreshments.
Also numbers are limited.

You can RSVP by pressing HERE.

Lisa is a member of the Surface Design Association and the representative for New Hampshire, USA.  


She is a very highly respected teacher and practising artist who produces sumptuous works that are exhibited and sold internationally.  She is famous for her application of disperse dye to produce spectacular marbled surfaces.  Combinations of her printed and dyed fabrics with her photographic imagery provide a refreshing take on surface design.
Her philosophies, galleries and methods can be viewed on her delicious website.

If you think you know what your are going to see and hear about you, are probably wrong....
There is a full spectrum of the rather comfortable .......

A Fine Balance (Detail)

Disperse dyed using painting, marbling and xerox transfer techniques.

Artist: Lisa Grey

.......to the somewhat uncomfortable which will make for a very interesting evening.

Adored/Abandoned II 

Pigment inkjet print on collaged paper and fabric with freehand machine stitching on marbled background. 

15" x 15"

Artist: Lisa Grey

Marching onwards

The Arts Budget in Alberta:
On March 13th, the Government of Alberta presented Budget 2013, a budget that reflects the fiscal challenges our province faces as a result of international resource market pressures. Even as we take a proactive approach in addressing the challenges brought on by global economic reality, we also continue to take a balanced and responsible approach in making decisions on how best to invest tax dollars in core programs.  MORE HERE.



Exhibitions:

CUTTINGS: Textile paintings by Jennifer Love

March 30th - April 28th, 2013

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 30th, 2013, 2-4pm

FibreWorks Gallery in Madeira Park, Pender Harbour on the Sunshine Coast, BC. 

http://www.fibreworksgallery.com/current-exhibit/

Workshops:

Info from Nicole Dextras about her upcoming ECUAD (Emily Carr) course.

    Here is the info about my class coming up this summer. Environmental Installation, June 8, 15, 22. 3 consecutive Saturdays. register with ECU. Cost $245.

    Working with natural materials, found objects and local environments can be a great source of inspiration. In this course you will learn basic techniques such as plaiting and weaving along with ecological techniques for assembling and fastening organic materials. Attention will be given to building a stable armature onto which branches, leaves or recycled materials can be fastened. You will explore the concept of responding to specific sites through projects that float on water, hang in trees or are situated on the soil. Further reading material on the history of environmental art, featuring the artwork of international and local artists, will also be supplied. Dress appropriately for both indoor and outdoor activities.



Artistry of Rug Hooking (with Rachelle LeBlanc) at the Leighton Centre
April 13th, 2013

This is a one day introductory rug hooking class where you will learn the necessary techniques to create or improve your own rug hooking project. The classes run for one day from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The cost of the class includes step by step instruction book, the kit called "View from the Leighton"(designed exclusively for this workshop with an image of an Alberta Foothills), hook, pattern on linen, and wool to complete the project.

In this workshop, students will be shown new ways to use rug hooking as a creative tool for self expression. Students will learn how to create movement using the techniques of transitional and directional hooking of color.  Nothing in nature is straight or even in width; the same rule applies to rug hooking.  Treat the wool strips the same way you would use a paint brush.  Some areas of color will be wider then others and nothing should be straight.  Use narrower strips towards the horizon and the wider strips towards the foreground by trimming the strips as needed.  The wool strips included in the kit have been cut with #8 and #6 blades.
Students need to bring a 12" to 14" hoop and a pair of fabric scissors.

To register please go to http://www.leightoncentre.org



Eco-Print Workshop with arlee barr
May 18-20th, 2013 10am-4pm
Deadline for registration is April 15th, cost is $350
Explore the process of creating natural dyes, and producing prints on our fabrics as well as how to work with your fabric to enhance your creation.

Information link.



Artist Links:

Anna Hergert has a couple of thought provoking blog posts about originality, copying and derivation. Part 1 and Part 2.

Kristin Rohr "Mapping her world", artist website.

Good Reads:

The Journal of Modern Craft  covers all aspects of craft as it exists within the condition of modernity (conceived as roughly from the mid-19th century to the present day), without geographical or disciplinary boundary.

These just in on the telegraph

Collaborative Quilting
Thursday March 7, 2013, 6pm
Art Gallery of Calgary, 117- 8 Avenue SW, Calgary
Free
Linda Hawke and Cat Schick, artists and organizers of a collaborative quilting workshop, will exhibit work and share insights about their initiative, Dream Quilts, which explores a range of women’s perspectives on sleep and dreams and supports healing through art. Their presentation includes photos, stories and the quilts themselves, made by women participating in this residency at the Women’s Centre of Calgary. Dream Quilts is a collaboration among The Women’s Centre, This is My City Art Society, and Calgary 2012.
Please visit www.womenscentrecalgary.org and www.thisismycitycalgary.org for more information.

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World of Threads

 This internationally respected and innovative textile arts biennial has many delicious albums and interviews of artists from around the world. The latest album:  De rerum natura (On The Nature of Things) curated by Gareth Bate. A Common Thread International Exhibition, held at Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Main site.

Next up - "Swatch and Mingle" in Calgary

As promised - Just a couple of shots:-
The scene on Wednesday evening at DaDe Gallery in Inglewood, the venue for our first SDA meeting in Calgary (report is below by Arlee).
Thanks are in order to everyone who helped with this event.  Not least our speakers who generously volunteered their time to share information from the academic to the amusing and anecdotal about their ventures into paper making from indigenous Alberta plants, more precisely plants from the Banff National Park.

 The Dade Gallery made for a perfect location and if you would like to present some of your work at our next meeting do let me know.

Our audience was mixed from all walks of the Surface Design spectrum and the enthusiasm we felt for the subject was aptly demonstrated as Romy and Eveline summed up their work.
Thanks all for supporting this event and special thanks to Greg and Darcy who, not only gave the space up for the evening but, were not concerned by us taking over many horizontal surfaces with our samples, fliers, and snacks (thanks again to the volunteers who were so keen to feed us and did so with style.
The next meeting "Swatch and Mingle"  in Calgary will take place in March when the SDA Swatch collection will be available at the meeting and afterwards.  The collection will be in Lethbridge for a meeting on February 12th, prior to the Calgary meeting and can travel afterwards.  Please get in touch with me to arrange to host the collection if you wish.

All the best,
karin

Visit Whyte Museum, Jan 2012

A crowd of textile artists descended on Banff last week and was treated to an informative talk by Barbara West on her work (shown in a previous post), and that of others from the Bow Valley Fibrearts group, exhibited at the Whyte gallery.  We then toured the rest of the exhibits on our own and I present below one or two examples of what we saw.

A large section of the main space was given over to the work of  Mary Garnham Andrews Master Weaver.   Most enjoyable to me were the collection of Xmas cards displayed in large cases as shown below.  These demonstrated her design ability and sense of fun which complemented well the bolts and large swatches that filled the remainder of the gallery. Stunning.

The work of the Articulation group was inspired by items in the Whyte Gallery's collection.
Only a small number of the pieces on show are illustrated below.

Preserved impression 4 is the work of Donna Clement, who chose as her subject, The  world famous Burgess Shale Formation.

 Ingrid Lincoln produced Illusion a delicate fabric of machine made lace based on the wedding dress of Georgina Luxton.

 This stunning piece by Vicky Newinton was inspired by a beautifully glass-beaded jacket in the collection.

Preservation by Wendy Klottz, machine embroidery and appliqué.

This from the show catalogue, and I quote "Wendy Klotz is exploring different presentation mechanisms to place physical separation between some of the layers.  Inspiration for her work comes from the natural beauty of Canada together with ecological and social issues that speak to her heart."  This is clearly evident in her work:-

Lesley Turner's installation Valuing Women's Work was inspired by a tea service in the Catherine Whyte House.

Gloria S Daly was inspired by the book Rocky Mountain Madness: E.Cavell, J.Whyte

Glacier 42"h x 38"w
Hand dyed indigo cotton & silk rushing
Hand embroidered (French Knots) and machine quilted

Wendy, Donna, Ingrid, Gloria and Lesley are SDA members

( If you would like your work highlighted here please don't be shy.  Send me an image and a short description and I will upload them for you.)

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Call for Proposals

For Surface Design Association 2013 Conference

In San Antonio Texas

The 17th International Surface Design Association conference will be held June 6–9, 2013, in San Antonio, Texas, USA. The Southwest School of Art will host events preceding and during the conference.  Pre-conference workshops will be held June 1–5 and post-conference workshops will be June 10–14, 2013.

Proposals for 2013 presentations/demonstrations, exhibitions, and workshops will be accepted online January 17–March 1, 2012.

Complete guidelines for submitting proposals can be downloaded athttp://www.surfacedesign.org/conference/future-conferences.

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News from Alberta Craft Council

Go to their website http://albertacraft.ab.ca/ and check out Margie Davidson's exhibition.  It is only on for a few days - don't miss her talk on the 26th Jan. if you can get there.

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From SurfaceDesign - BC Blog

More news from World of Threads organizers - I hope some of you are submitting work to their exhibition. Did anyone submit work for their 2009 festival?:

Marjolein Dallinga of St-Sauveur, Quebec, Canada is our 45th "Weekly Fibre Artist Interview." (Marjolein participated the the Felt Amazing show at Urbanity last year.)

Read Interview:

http://www.worldofthreadsfestival.com/artist_interviews/045_marjolein_dallinga.html

Four Calls for Submissions for the 2012 Festival ends JANUARY 31st:

http://www.worldofthreadsfestival.com/submissions.html

Gareth Bate, Festival Curator, World of Threads Festival

Website: http://www.worldofthreadsfestival.com

Email: contact@garethbate.com

Location:  Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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For those of you who maintain (or would like to..) a sketchbook practice, you may be interested in these blogs/websites that I came across today:

http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

http://janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com/ 

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