"My Corner of the World" - Open at the Stratford Perth Museum

For the past year and more I have been working with SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) to bring a spectacular exhibition of art quilts to the Stratford Perth Museum. 

It opened yesterday on a glorious spring day, with many exhibiting artists and visitors travelling from afar (Alberta, Nova Scotia,Virginia, Texas...)  for the launch. Check out this  media article for all the scoop!

It was super to have Lisa Ellis, President of the Board of SAQA with us and to speak during the opening remarks, as well as SAQA representatives from across Canada!

This beautiful piece, "A Fall day in Westport"by Joan Reive, is just one of the 81 pieces that are on exhibit at the museum until Labour day. It is so emblematic of the exhibition that with was

More pics to come soon. Stop in for an visit if you're in the area... or better yet, make the time for a road trip to Stratford - our corner of the world!

How Time Flies!

Spring has arrived, according to the calendar, if not the weather, and I look forward to it as a new beginning. The past year has come and gone so quickly it's hard to fathom. So without further delay or boring explanation as to the posting drought, here is some news from the past year, and a some new work.

What's been consuming most of my time has been my day job at the Stratford Perth Museum. Heavy work load, but wonderful creative opportunities. The development of the exhibition "My Corner of the World"  in collaboration with SAQA has been in the works for over a year. It has been a privilege to work with the people in SAQA and bring this exhibition to fruition.  It opens May 21 at the Stratford Perth Museum.

Last August I was invited to join "Connections" - a group of talented fibre artists. Meeting and collaborating with them has been inspiring and helpful in moving forward and breaking through a creative block. As most artists do, we spend a lot of time working in isolation. For the most part, this is both good and necessary, but so are the friendships, insights, mentoring and critiques of fellow artists. The first piece included in a Connections show was this small piece - part of the "18 x 18" Exhibition which has traveled to a number of venues.

A detail from "On the Land" - recently accepted in the first stage of jurying into Threadworks 2016 at the Wellington County Museum. Final acceptance is April 8...  I wait patiently until then to hear the news. I'll post the entire piece once the show opens.

This is how it started.

 

Next... the Huron Perth Quilt Guild and the upcoming Piecemakers show in St. Mary's - April 21-23. A glorious show - don't miss it if you're anywhere nearby. It's a diverse exhibition of traditional, modern and art quilts made by members of the Huron Perth Quilt Guild and the Stonetown Quilters' Guild. Here's a little piece I submitted - "I Go Walking, After Midnight..."

Plenty more... but that's enough for now.

the birds & the bees & the flowers & the trees...

I'm installing an exhibit this week at the Stratford Perth Museum. It's a truly beautiful exhibit of quilts, fibre art and wood carving, all inspired by nature, and all by local artists and artisans - Perth County, Huron, Middlesex, Wellington, Waterloo. There's been tremendous support from local quilt guilds and individual artists.

However, the installation has been a real challenge. We had a major ice storm here - knocking out the power to the museum and making it difficult for staff to get in... and then I came down with a miserable cold. Normally, I don't give in to such things, but this one has really brought me down. So 3 days behind and a day an a half to go before opening, I'm in bed trying to rest enough to make significant progress this afternoon. Offers of assistance from kind friends - fellow quilters and one of the carvers will get this back on track. The show must go on!

April 16 - May 26  - opening reception Saturday April 20 1:00 - 3:00