Structures opening

The Structures show hung at the Gallery@The Guild in Charlottetown, PEI for two weeks in late August. Holly McLean attended the opening reception and wrote the following report. 

Holly McLean

I was excited to be able to combine the opening of the SAQA Structures fiber art exhibit with my visit to the Island to see my family. I had met a few of the exhibiting artists at the spring retreat and had seen some of their work. Many pieces I had not seen, however, and it was great to see them all hanging together in such a nice setting. Pictures just do not do them justice. My first reaction as I walked into the space was to gasp. I don’t get to many fiber art exhibits –this may be my first - and the impact of the groupings of hangings against the white was powerful. Seeing the colors, patterns, stitches and textures in real life was awe inspiring. I also enjoyed reading about each artist and about their piece as well as describing them to my daughter and mom and her husband.

Regina and Heather Jarmyn did a wonderful job - and in that heat wave - of hanging all the pieces. I thought they were perfectly grouped. At the outset they felt challenged as it is a small, but intimate space and the lighting wasn’t great. The lighting was addressed before opening night, and even though it is a below street level location, there is a great row of windows along one side that add good light as well as character to the space..

Christine Nielsen, Heather, and Regina and I met for dinner across the street before going to the opening. It was nice to see Christine again and also nice to meet Regina and Heather. I always feel somewhat isolated up here in Bathurst, so any meetings with like minded people are so stimulating!

The show was lightly attended, but it was a very warm evening in the Gold Cup celebration week. Since the gallery is located in the same building (and easily visibly) as a small theater, there should be more people attending over the two weeks.

Thanks to all who contributed and who helped and are helping with the show. It has been a nice experience for me.

The following photos were taken by Chris Nielsen just prior to the opening, running clockwise around the space from the entry. They are intended to give you a sense of the show and are not completely accurate representations of the artwork, especially with regard to colour. Please note that everything was level - the camera sometimes makes it appear otherwise.