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!

Self Explanatory.

Spectacle and then Review of meeting January 2014

SDA Member Angela Dale sent me information about this fashion event in Calgary, scheduled for March 1, 2014.
Go here for more information: -

Social January 2014 - Successful Meeting of Minds

Highlights: -

• Wonderful friends meet to discuss art and culture
• The fantastic setting of Lynda's home… stimulating art all around
• The food, thanks to culinary delights from our members, visitors and Chef Kat
• Show, tell and requests for advice on work in progress:-

My humorous/less titles….

1. "Don't like colour" - Terri
2. "Don't need colour" - Susan
3. I'm likin' your collage - Wendy
4. Edgy wings on silk scarf - Dana
5. Bees buzz above  - Dana
6. Selective rubbing - transition - Linda
7. Stunning Nuno - Siri
8. and  Finished - Lynda

Click to enlarge the images
All images courtesy of the artists

From Quilt series 1

Terri Illingworth

 Geometrics

Susan Wittrup

 Inner Joy

Susan Wittrup

Work in progress - Base design, Lichens will be added "On the Surface"

Wendy Klotz

(Is this a piece for our SDA:Alberta show, What's on the Surface? …perhaps? - Ed.)

 Work in progress 

Linda Hawke

Projects in Nuno

Siri Djuve

Mixed Media 

Hand dyed fabrics: cotton and silk.  Acrylic painted paper and printed fabric. Hand stitched 

Lynda Williamson

Did I forget anyone?

Business meeting included a discussion of activities that need to be completed to keep the group running actively and share the sense of involvement.

So that we share the tasks, as you see, we need more names against each item.

If you are willing to be part of the teams responsible for any of these activities please email me directly, I am waiting for your email.

• Set up exhibitions - WPG, SFH, SK
• Lend projector - WPG
• Create evite/posters - sending out same to social media (could be one job) - BO, D
• Carry out admin for exhibitions 
• Arrange and dispatch refreshments for meetings - LB, AB, TI
• Arrange set up / take down at meetings - DB, SK
• Sourcing projector for meetings - DB
• Ticket sales (front of house) - LW, W, JS
• Arrange food/restaurant outing for visiting artist - SG
• Arrange thank you gift for visitors - SFH
• Collate RSVP's for events - WHW
• Computer work - WHW
• Getting bank float for ticketed events - WK
• Researching venues - SFH, SK
• Host visiting artists - WK, LH

Again!

My apologies for the frequent postings, but some things are time sensitive and cannot be relegated to a once a month post! I post as things come in, hoping to lump several together, but it's not always feasible or giving enough of a heads up for pencilling into your calendar :)


STUDIO SALE:  

Event: Pop Up Studio, Exhibition & Sale, Art Forum Gallery presents Susan Kristoferson - Calgary, AB Dates: January 25 & 26, 2014
Time: Saturday, 11:00am - 7:00pm & Sunday, 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: 8 Coach Gate Place SW, Calgary, AB

ACC/SDA Member Susan Kristoferson - A renowned contemporary paper art specialist and book artist - an extensive collection of artworks that incorporate papers that she and others have created; collages that evoke the energy of interpersonal relationships between people and their environment.

These one-of-a-kind works span more than three decades of creativity, from large landscape perspectives to fine introspection on the fleeting nature of forces that ebb and flow across time and space.

Susan will also display specialty papers that she creates using the techniques of the 16th century book arts technique known as paste-grain painting and a Japanese clamp-and-dye technique known as Itajime. In addition to sheets of these specialty papers, Susan will also offer for sale collage packets, blank books, note cards, and earrings that feature her specialty papers. 

Don't miss this opportunity to tour the studio and acquire quality work of exceptional beauty!

EXHIBITS:

Exhibition: Piece Makers (Quilting): How Our Grandmothers Re-cycled, Musée Héritage Museum - St Albert, AB

Exhibition Dates: January 21-March 23, 2014
Opening Reception: January 23 at 7 pm.

"Waste not, want not" was not just a catchy phrase for our predecessors.  When a family had little or no money, every scrap was used to cobble together the necessities of life.  The women of earlier generations showed great creativity and skill when creating quilts out of old dresses, suits and other bits and pieces around the house.  Their work was sometimes very utilitarian but their skill and talent often resulted in beautiful heirlooms.

Quilts from both the Royal Alberta Museum and our own collection highlight the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the creators in making attractive items to decorate their homes and keep their families warm.

The Musée Héritage Museum is pleased to be hosting "The Alberta Quilt Project" on Saturday, February 15.  Sign up to have your heritage quilt documented by staff of the Royal Alberta Museum and other quilt specialists as part of a permanent record of Alberta's quilting history. Click here for more information on this special event.

See more here. 



Special Events and Meetings:

SDA:Alberta meeting for  March 5, 2014.
Judith Dios is coming to teach here and I have convinced her to give us a talk.
Location as usual Atlantis Fine Framing and Studio.  7 - 9:30 pm.
There will be a small charge for entry

RSVP to ioftheneedle@me.com (for numbers)

Ongoing Projects:

"Slofemist" happenings, in Vancouver, but if you are travelling :) 

Slofemists 

=Upcoming Events=

Slofemists enable the unhurried production and circulation of feminismS through collective embroidery. We aim to build a patchwork of new feminist embroidery projects, and a set of patterns and resources, in the process. 

Lois Klassen & Lori Weidenhammer

Slofemists are excited to announce the starting line-up for the 2014 embroidery season! We hope you can make it to one or more of these studio embroidery circles in Vancouver, Canada:

Saturday, February 8, 1-3pm = Special Guest, Elisa Ferrari will talk about how she came to embroider an Alighiero Boetti textile.

Saturday, February 22, 1-3 pm = Special Guest, Cindy Mochizuki will discuss her grandmother’s practice in the Japanese art of Bunka Shishu (or thread painting).

Saturday, March 29, 1-3 pm = Special Guest, Lexie Owen will talk about why her projects (The Collaborative Embroidery Society, and more) bring critical theory alongside handwork like embroidery.

These are small, free events that take place at the Yukon Street studio near the O. Village Sky Train station. No skill or equipment is needed (but you are invited to bring your own embroidery supplies if you have them.) Please reply to this email to reserve a place, and to get details on the location.

If you can’t join us, you can keep track of our project here - http://loiszing.blogs.com/

If you want to embroider Slofemist patterns on your own (and read the notes), you can find the growing collection here - 

http://loiszing.blogs.com/artaction/slofemist-embroidery-patterns.html

WORKSHOPS:

If you have ever wanted to try encaustic painting, or just add to your skill set and have some fun, this workshop is for you! (arlee says "you can do this with textiles too!")

Encaustic Workshop
with Ken Bourassa

Feb 21, 22 & 23
Attend 1, 2 or days. $150, $250 or $300
(most supplies included)
Atlantis Fine Framing Studio

 A full 3 days of learning beginner to advanced techniques. Explore traditional and contemporary mixed media. Ken will teach you some encaustic history, mixing medium & paints, a variety of applications and techniques. Its visual and physical properties, and its range of textural and color possibilities make encaustic eminently suitable for use in several different contemporary styles of painting. Come try it out!

Register now! 403-258-0075 Register for all 3 days, or any combination of the 3.

Important show news!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE NOTE THE HIGHLIGHTED AREA.

 

 

From Edge of the Forest Committee

EDGE OF THE FOREST NEWS

Dear Canadian SDA members,

We have wonderful news. The SDA has awarded the Edge of the Forest a "Small Events Grant" which will kick start our show into action. The response to the 'Expression of Interest' was overwhelming. Over 70 artists enthusiastically replied indicating their interest to participate. We will be publishing the CFE for this juried exhibition very soon. Two exhibition locations have been confirmed, one in Ontario and one in Newfoundland in 2015 to coincide with the Newfoundland and Labrador Crafts Council Fibre Conference.
We have a gap of time from April 2015 to August 2015 for an east coast venue. Gallery and grant proposals are being drafted, and all contacts and suggestions for hosting are welcome!

The show will be open to travel to any central or western destination in Canada after October 2015.

Please contact edgeoftheforest15@gmail.com with your interest in hosting the show in your region.

TidBits to Tantalize

Firstly, may i remind everyone that our own "local" SDA show still has time for you to do your EOI to Karin :) All the info is here.

Whilst cruising around the interwebs this morning, i found a very pertinent and informative article about pricing our Art. Do you get emotional about certain pieces and not want to sell them? That's covered too! It's a lengthy read, but there are salient points for emerging and established artists. LINK. On their main article page, you'll find a plethora of articles on a lot of arty type subjects too.

As a floral designer by day and an artist (in those pesky spare five minutes's i can find), this is rather inspiring! Do check her Galleries page as well. Earth materials art by Chicago fibre artist Karen Gubitz

TOP TEN TIPS for Getting Into a Juried Exhibition, Craft Show, Book or Magazine ---there are never any guarantees, but you don't know unless you try. (via Ask Hariette.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm pleased to say that three of my current works will be included in the "Drought" exhibit at the Great Plains Art Museum at the University of Lincoln-Nebraska, March to April of this year. (No info on the site, but will update as i know.)




Again, we remind you, if you want YOUR news, exhibits, workshops, publication or events brought to the attention of our other members, please send timely information to Karin or myself.

Mid January

CALLS FOR ENTRY:

Our Prairie in Fibre, Saskatchewan
Craft Council's Affinity Gallery - Saskatoon, SK
Deadline for submissions is Saturday February 4, 2014

I am putting together an exhibition of 'Prairie' themed fibre art to be exhibited at the Saskatchewan Craft Council's Affinity Gallery from January 16 to February 21, 2015. All fibre techniques will be considered for this exhibition, including but not limited to dolls, soft sculpture, rug hooking, wearables, weaving, felting, knitting, stitching, and quilting. Be as diverse as you like in your choice of work and prairie images / seasons they represent. This will be a great stage to show the diversity
of fibre amongst prairie lovers. Eligible entrants do not need to be juried members of the Saskatchewan Craft Council but must be a resident of the Prairie Provinces.
Mail or email submission to: Monika Kinner-Whalen c/o Saskatchewan Craft Council, 813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 1B5

For more information please contact Monika at Monika at MySweetPrairie dot ca
For complete listing click here.

~~~~
Cherry Blossoms: A Textile Translation Deadline: February 28, 2014

April 1 – 20, 2014, at the Silkpurse Art Gallery, West Vancouver. FibreEssence and the Vancouver Guild of Fibre Arts are the co-sponsors for the 6TH annual Cherry Blossom exhibition. Functional objects, wall pieces and sculpture in any textile medium/technique. Original work only. Guidelines and entry form: CLICK HERE 
Contact: Judy Villett, exhibition coordinator Phone: 604-215-8537 Email: jvillett at hotmail dot com

~~~~
This one has been mentioned before, but i have decided to repost as it is a major show, and would love to see members exhibited!

Fibreworks 2014 Biennial Exhibition Deadline: March 31, 2014 
September 12 – November 2, 2014,Cambridge Galleries, Cambridge, ON.

Fibreworks, now in its 15TH edition, is a biennial juried exhibition of contemporary Canadian fibre art. It is a showcase of the most current and versatile approaches to fibre as a medium in form and production. This exhibition is one of the largest group shows in Canada dedicated specifically to fibre based works and serves as a survey of the artists currently working in the medium. For more information: www.akimbo.ca      (Akimbo by the way has listings of  many calls for entry in many mediums if you are interested in stretching your artistic horizon.)



EXHIBITIONS:

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS:

Kensington Art Supplies Relocation Opening
Opening Day:  Saturday, February 1, 2014

The opening day for Kensington Art Supply and Instruction has been set for Saturday, February 1, 2014.   We were hoping to open sooner but we are still under construction and need a little extra time to get everything finished.   The store will open and our first art classes will begin at 9 AM Saturday, February 1, 2014.  Any workshops listed for January will be rescheduled so please check workshop listings to confirm dates.  Everything scheduled for February will be as listed.  Any class fees paid for January will be applied to the February 1 start date.   Go to www.hughesfineart.ca for listings. Thank you for your patience and support! We believe it is going to be well worth the wait!


SLOFEMIST update from Lois Klassen:

I will soon be posting some new information pages on the art-action website: one for the finished squares and one for the finished patterns. The stitchers can have full credit next to their squares on the website, if they choose. If stitchers come up with their own pattern, they will also be credited on the pattern as authors. For the patterns, creators should note that the patterns are assigned a "Creative Commons" licence: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. That means that they will be made available free to anyone (and circulated on the Internet as pdf's) so long as the creator is credited whenever they are copied, and so long as they are not sold or further altered. All of that will be explained on the new web pages. Also, we will be keeping a running list of all of the participants to date, to include when appropriate (for example, in brochures or catalogues).


MISCELLANEOUS INTEREST:

2014 Classes in many quilting and sewing techniques  are now listed on the My Sewing Room website. (Calgary retailer)


Did you know that Laura and Linda Kemshall can digitally print your design on fabric for you? The results are clear and high quality, and while expensive, as shipping from the UK is high, it may be worth your while if you are interested in creating work with your own sketches. Not affiliated, just a share :)

January News: SDA Alberta exhibition prize for best of show, January meeting, Yoshiko Wada teaches in Calgary

Hello Everyone,

Happy New Year to you all.

I have some exciting news and some news that is even more worthy of your time so read on.....

....information is in date order!

Keywords: Exhibition Prize Money: January SDA meeting: Yoshiko Wada

Item 1

January SDA Meeting in Calgary -  Wednesday January 22nd 

"Social Starter 2014"

Make a note in your new calendar.

If any of our regional members are in Calgary that evening please do come along too, you are most welcome.

At: Lynda Williamson has kindly offered to host this event.  1127-38 Ave SW 403-243-7411

Time - 7pm - 9:30pm

More Details - This is a pot luck event... so let's be surprised by what there is on offer by not planning anything.  Please be careful to label your dish if it contains nuts.

RSVP (for numbers)

Item 2

SDA: Alberta show in April: What's on the Surface.

We applied for a Small Events Grant from SDA and were successful. 

There will be a  $100 prize for Best of Show.

So now there is even more reason to join the exhibition - it isn't too late!

Submissions have started to appear in my inbox: Remember the date for submission of an image of your work/s is February 14

All are welcome to exhibit, SDA membership required at time of show.

Guidelines and timeline for this  show are available at:-

Contact me for any further information or queries.

And now with my other hat on!!! I am so very excited to tell you ....

Kreative Momentum is very excited to be able to offer workshops with Yoshiko Wada.

Item 3

Yoshiko Wada will be teaching in Calgary in August 2014.

Don't miss this!!!!   Open to members and non-members

The cost is likely to be around $350

If you are interested in signing up for a place on one of the courses please email me 

asap; demand is likely to be high from Alberta and adjacent areas!!!.

Yoshiko, is President of the World Shibori Network-World (WSN was established in Nagoya,Japan in 1992) and is the world's authority on Shaped Resist Dyeing.  She has writtendefinitive publications on the subject and produced a DVD "Arimatsu Narumi Shibori: Celebrating 400 years of Japanese Artisan Design." She leads study tours to Japan and has introduced many to the world of Shibori and inspiring creativity via her gentle style.  She is the founder of Slow Fibre Studios which collaborates with WSN and Michel Garcia on as series of Natural Dye Workshop DVDs. 

Yoshiko is an artist, author, exhibition curator, textile researcher and film producer.  She is a long time exponent of traditional and sustainable practises in fashion and textile production.  she holds a BFA in Textile Art from Kyoto City Fine Arts University, MFA in Painting from the University of Boulder,Colorado Yoshiko travels the world giving lectures and workshops and participates in conferences to build greater insight into the world of fibre and textiles. 

http://slowfiberstudios.com

http://shibori.org

If all that wasn't enough I have such plans for our meetings that there will never be a dull moment with SDA in 2014.

And on that subject I would like to ask:

Do you know of have access to a board room type conference facility with internet access that you think could be used for an SDA meeting?

If so, please get in touch at your earliest convenience.

Also,

Please get in touch if you have time to offer any help with events, or just want to say hello and tell me what you think of these plans.

Once more all the best for the year ahead and beyond.

karin

time sensitive-- and special interest

NEW Employment Opportunity: Educational Art Technician, Fibre - Temporary, ACAD - Calgary, AB

Application Deadline: January 13, 2014

ACAD welcomes applications for the following temporary regular part-time position: Educational Art Technician, Fibre - Temporary (to cover a maternity leave), Competition # 1314-DE-AT-31

The Alberta College of Art + Design (ACAD) is seeking an Educational Art Technician to interact with and assist students and faculty in the studio-based Fibre Program.

The Technician in the Fibre Program is responsible for overseeing and facilitating the organization, maintenance and supervision of the Fibre Program print, dye, weaving, papermaking, and multi-purpose studios. Responsibilities and duties of the Fibre Technician include the: implementation and application of health and safety policies and practices; management of materials and supplies; maintenance and oversight of facilities and equipment; supervision of student monitors; provision of instructional support and service to the Fibre Program. The incumbent also monitors approved program area operational and capital budgets and delivers appropriate demonstrations to students as required.

To Apply
Please submit a cover letter that includes a description of your areas of personal skill and experience in the Fibre discipline, current résumé, 8 - 10 digital images of works that represent your technical skills in the Fibre discipline, and the names of three professional references. Please apply with one pdf document via our careers page at https://acadcareers.silkroad.com no later than January 13, 2014.

For complete job listing visit here.

~~~~~~~~~~

Call to Canadian Fibre Artists: Fibreworks 2014 - Cambridge, ON

Application Deadline: March 31, 2014

FIBREWORKS 2014, a biennial juried exhibition of Canadian fibre art
Exhibition dates: September 12 - November 2, 2014

CALL FOR ENTRY
Fibreworks, now in its 15th edition, is a biennial juried exhibition of contemporary Canadian fibre art. It is a showcase of the most current and versatile approaches to fibre as a medium in form and production. This exhibition is one of the largest group shows in Canada dedicated specifically to fibre based works and serves as a survey of the artists currently working in the medium. As many as 35 artists participate in the exhibition with works selected by an independent jury. All works selected for the exhibition are eligible for the Juror's award and may be purchased by Cambridge Galleries IDEA|EXCHANGE as part of its permanent collection dedicated exclusively to Canadian fibre art.

Fibreworks 2014 jurors are Hazel Meyer, Artist (Toronto, ON) and Stuart Reid, Director/Curator, Rodman Hall Art Centre (St. Catherines, ON).

For more information visit here and here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know some do not like nor use FaceBook, but as a blogger who has no patience, interest or time to invest in a new blog or a code heavy forum for a specific purpose, i have opened/started a dedicated FB group for serious embroiderers. I have tried to see if there were any specific interest SDA groups around, even if it had to be online, but it appears not. I have talked casually with other members about these specific interest groups and decided to do something about it! There are VERY specific rules to the FB group (no selling, no cute or "whimsical", no current "trends", no artsyfartsy "journalling") and all members are "vetted" to prevent lurkers, spammers and those who join just to join :) --personal history with stitch, a "portfolio" of sorts, dedicated interest are the requirements. Beginners are welcome, but only if committed to making effort to be learning on their own and then applying it to the group discussions, are welcome. You can find the group here, though you won't see much beyond the group description, as it is a closed group. You don't have to be a current SDA member either as i set this up outside the auspices of the SDA. (We could perhaps even have a few small local get togethers/meetings if enough are interested.) If you'd like more information, you can always email me at arlee dot ar at gmail dot com.