Art Quilts Off The Wall

There we were, right there on the first page of Front Porch News section in the Record-Journal, Sunday, May 23. Sisters in Cloth had been asked by Program Chair Sandy Parsons to provide the evening's event...it's what we humorously call our Dog and Pony Show...for the Heritage Quilt Guild.

This was the third time regional quilt guilds have asked us to come and show them the what's and why's of "art" quilts. And we are ever so happy to have the opportunity!

In a happy coincidence the evening was also their celebration of their 25th anniversary and the revealing of their Twenty five years/Twenty five pieces Challenge. As we knew they would be focusing on their challenge we brought some of ours, specifically the Photo Challenge that was exhibited last year at the Guilford Art Center and later at the Guilford Library.

We started the talk with one of our first challenges. Inspired by a gorgeous quilt hanging in Yvette Howard's entry Hidden Wells, we all made one...or many...Hidden Wells, a Mary Ellen Hopkin's specialty some time ago.

I don't know the names of their makers but here are two good examples of the MANY members who participated in their Challenge. It was just wonderful that such a huge percentage of their membership joined in!

This woman had designed this "25" VERY effectively.

Barb Adams was the only other Sister who could attend the evening with me. She, naturally, was a big hit...she is very comfortable in front of a crowd and they loved her. She brought her beautiful journals that she makes for her trips....and her new stash of them that she has made for her church fundraiser.

Extravaganza 2010

Sisters in Cloth annually hosts a day of all things "quilty" that we have dubbed an Extravaganza. This year Betty Warner (www.bwarnerdesigns.blogspot.com) who is a very talented, knowledgeable and amusing teacher agreed to corral the independent, high-spirited group and demonstrated several hands-on techniques.

I think the jury is still out on whether she'll agree to return. Let's just say it was a lot like herding cats to get us all "attending" to the task at hand. It was just that kind of joyful day.

Of course there is always Show and Tell. Again, more high jinx with wonderful, artful pieces shared by all.

Here's Janine showing us her results of our class with Melanie Testa (melanietesta.com).

Two treats at the Show and Tell were the work of guests Rosalind Spann and Toni Torres. Below is Toni telling about her Black Mermaid piece (her second quilt!). Both she and Rosalind are among the artists whose work will be exhibited at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival (piccolospoleto.com and northcharleston.org) through June 13.

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Pictured below is Linda Zimmerman

(zimmermandezigns.com), Marie Shepherd along with guest Judy Ross who are admiring the work of artist and vendor Karen Loprete (karenloprete.com). Also vending were our own Ruth Anne Olson (fiberartbyruthanne.blogspot.com) and Carol Ludingtion with her scrumptious hand dyed threads. Jan of Delectable Mountain Cloth (delectablemountain.com) in Brattleboro Vermont had driven down for the day with a carful of gorgeous silks/buttons/laces/velvets...yummm.

Other vendors who sent hand dyed fabric were Laura Wasilowski (artfabrik.com), and Malka Dombrowski (stitchindye.blogspot.com). Needless to say by afternoon we were all a bit giddy from being overstimulated: good food, good friends, good fabric...excellent show and tell.

Our last Show and Tell was the group's presentation of our Farewell Quilt to our Sister Linda Sexton-Patrick (lindasextonpatrick.com) who is in the throes of relocating from her home in New London to North Carolina. It's not quilted YET (it will be shortly) but we didn't want to miss the occasion with all her Sisters and friends to say good-bye.

Thank you to Yvette Howard AKA Incredible Hostess, Barb Adams who organized the delicious lunch and all who help invite, organize, set up, vend, clean-up. It was very much a team effort. Well done, Sisters!

Melanie Testa visits "The Sisters"

Melanie Testa grew up in our town. She has family here. When we caught word that she might be coming to town we jumped at the chance to meet her.

As luck would have it she was free (after a visit with her parents) to spend a day teaching us how to batik with soy wax as the resist.

It was one of the first truly warm sunny days of spring and we were all ecstatic to be in the studio with Melanie. The co-director of the Guilford Art Center was very accommodating in making a room available to us with very short notice. Thank you, Maureen!

And, Thank You, Melanie for agreeing to meet with us and, literally, going the extra mile for us in lugging the soy wax on the train from NYC when our order did not arrive. That's dedication!

You can see more of Melanie's work (including her new book) on her website: melanietesta.com

Two (2!) Sisters' Work in Faculty Exhibit

The Faculty Exhibit at the Guilford Art Center (www.guilfordartcenter.org) opened with a very well attended reception on Friday night. The Center has been, since its inception, an education center for all media. It has long been known for its weaving, metal-smithing, pottery and sculpture. Early on it was home to mixed media excellence.

Two of our Sisters in Cloth members are currently on the faculty: Ruth Anne Olson (http://fiberartbyruthanne.blogspot.com) and Linda Zimmerman (http://zimmermandezigns.blogspot.com). They are pictured here with Linda in the green scarf and Ruth Anne pointing out another artist's work.

As you can see it was a great turn out. At least two pieces were sold which is always cause for celebration. And more importantly the faculty was showcased, offering the viewing public a peek at the quality of education available at the Center.

The opening was a must for me, as I had been asked to hang the exhibit, and I couldn't pass up the chance to be a "fly on the wall" and listen for comments, particularly from the artists, on how the installation "worked".

The Faculty Exhibit, showcasing all media, will be on view until April 10.

Two (2!) Sisters' Work Selected to IQSC!

Above Photo: Linda Zimmerman, http://zimmermandezigns.blogspot.com

We all congratulate "Sisters" Vivika DeNegre and Linda Zimmerman whose work was selected along with 53 other pieces from the show to become part of the International Quilt Study Center's permanent collection documenting current contemporary quiltmaking. (www.quiltstudy.org)

Their work is part of a large collection of SAQA (www.saqa.com) members from around the work that has been traveling with an educational trunk show for the past year. Both artists' work were selected to help represent the state of contemporary art quilts.

Warbler on Yarrow

Vivika DeNegre: http://vdenegrequilts.blogspot.com

A big hand for Vivika and Linda!!!

Check out their blogs for more information: Linda Zimmerman/My Textile World, http://zimmermandezigns.blogspot.com and Vivika DeNegre/ Vivika DeNegre Art Quilts, http://vdenegrequilts.blogspot.com

Sisters Set to Collaborate with Rosemary Alpert

Sisters in Cloth is honored that photographer Rosemary DeLucco-Alpert (http://rdalpertphoto.com) has agreed to collaborate on a joint exhibition. From among the fifteen images selected for inspiration, each member is challenged to create a piece 18" x 24" responding to either color or composition.

Rose also plans to photograph each of us as we work in our studios, documenting the journey from our introductions through to a collaborative exhibit of photography and fiber art.

We feel very lucky that Rose agreed to join us on this adventure. She has been an active member and nurturing force of the local "art scene" for several years. Check out her website and stay tuned.

Solo Show for Sisters' Member Gail Kotowski

A collection of fiber art by Connecticut artist Gail Kotowski is on display now at the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA), located at 30 Bank Street in New Britain, CT. The show, “Art & Fiber by Gail Kotowski” will run through the end of February.

An opening reception is planned for January 11, 5:30pm – 6:15pm in the CBA Third Floor Gallery.

The gallery is open during normal business hours and guests are asked to check in at the Member Services desk on the first floor.

Congratulations Gail!