SAQA-AtlanticCanada

2011-09-10T18:08:00.000-03:00

Welcome to all our new SAQA Atlantic Canada members and any and all visitors! As you can see, there has not been a great deal of activity on this blog but we are going to change that!

If you are a member, please send me any announcements or information you may have. That includes but is not limited to: any shows you are in, workshops you know about or are teaching or any other news so I can share it with our members.

If you are not a member, please, give consideration to joining SAQA whether you are in the Atlantic Canada region (New Brunswick, Newfoundland/Labrador, Nova Scotia or PEI) or not SAQA is a great organization if you are involved in any way with fibre art: artist, commercially (such as selling fabric, dyes, etc), collector or just a fan. Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development and documentation. We are international and have close to 3000 members. Come visit the website at: www.SAQA.com.

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One of the benefits of membership in SAQA is being eligible for SAQA sanctioned shows. There is always a list of calls-for-entry on the SAQA website.

One call-for-entry is for the Synthesis II show. This is a show open to SAQA members in Canada. You must reside in Canada to enter. They have extended the deadline to 30 Sept. (postmarked).

SAQA Central Canada is extending the postmark deadline to September 30,
2011 for sending submissions to Synthesis 2, a national juried traveling
exhibition.

Call for Entry Guidelines and Form may be found at
http://saqacentralcanada.blogspot.com/p/synthesis-ii.html

Check it out!

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The call-for-entry for Rooted, a SAQA regional show, open to members of the Atlantic Canada region will be posted soon. Keep watching!!!

The show will open on 19 April, 2012 at the Mary E. Black Gallery in Halifax. We will be working on securing other venues within the region with the goal of having the show travel for 2 years. If you know of a possible venue, please contact teri (teri@fiberandthread.com) or Anna (annadavison@eastlink.ca).

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We are up to 26 members in the Atlantic Canada region. You have no idea how happy this makes me! When I joined we had 6 members! At present we have only one member in Newfoundland and none in PEI. Let's change that! If you know anyone interested in quilts as art, encourage them to join! Then they may enter a piece in the Rooted show. The more the merrier!

Laurie Swim Workshops

2011-02-28T21:46:00.000-04:00

Laurie Swim is pleased to offer 6 two-day weekend workshops in Lunenburg NS, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The workshops will be held in the Lunenburg Academy, in a third-floor classroom (there is an elevator) which overlooks the town.

The dates:
April 23-24
May 14-15
June 4-5
Aug 27-28
Sept 10-11
Sept 24-25

More details: http://www.artquiltpublishing.com/2011images/Workshops_D3.pdf

Call for Entry- 1 May 2011 Deadline

2010-06-21T15:11:00.000-03:00

Deep Spaces

The Deep Spaces exhibit, curated by Larkin Jean Van Horn, will show textile works of a common size interpreting the title theme in three venues between July 2011 and June of 2012.

    Definitions and Conditions of Entry:

    * Eligible artwork for this exhibit will consist of quilts and other
      textile based wall hangings.
    * Artwork must be 18" wide and 45" tall. That's a vertical
      orientation, like a hanging scroll. No Exceptions.
    * Artwork will be the artist's original interpretation of the theme,
      "Deep Space" or "Deep Spaces".
    * Entry fee is $25.00 (US), up to three pieces may be entered.
    * Entries will be accepted via webpage and digital images. No paper entries or disks will be accepted.
    * Entry fee will be accepted via PayPal only. No Exceptions.
    * Accepted artists will be asked to pay shipping costs both
      directions. Artists may choose from among USPS, UPS and FedEx, and may provide a pre-paid shipping label or send the required amount via PayPal.
    * This exhibit is open to U.S. and International artists. Non-U.S.
      artists will be asked to provide any necessary paperwork to
      satisfy customs requirements.
    * Catalogs: Artworks will be photographed on a common background for production of the exhibit catalog. The catalog will be available in two forms: on disk for $15, or on paper as print-on-demand, the price of which has not yet been determined. All proceeds from the sale of the catalogs will go to Doctors Without Borders. All entrants, whether their work was accepted for the show or not, will receive one copy of the disk version of the catalog.

      Other conditions:

    * Pre-programmed, computerized machine quilting will not be accepted.
    * Artwork made from kits or commercial patterns are not eligible.
    * Artwork must be in pristine condition and show ready.
    * Artwork must have a 4" continuous hanging sleeve attached to the back. Exceptions will be granted on an individual basis, and only with pre-approval of the Curator.
    * Artwork must be available from July 1, 2011 through July 1, 2012.
    * Artwork that differs from the submitted images will not be accepted.
    * Artwork may be offered for sale. The exhibiting venues will take a 35% commission on any sales.
    * Artwork advocating violence or hatred will not be accepted.

    Exhibition Timeline:

    * September 5, 2011 to November 6, 2011 - Latimer Quilt and Textile Center, Tillamook, Oregon (28 pieces) and Edmonds Conference Center, Edmonds, Washington (22 pieces)
    * November 15, 2011 to March 15, 2012 - Looking for a venue for this time frame
    * March 28, 2012 to June 24, 2012 - LaConner Quilt and Textile
      Museum, LaConner, Washington (unified display, 50 pieces)

    Entry Timeline:

    * January 1, 2011 - Online system for accepting entries will go live
      here.
    * May 1, 2011 - All entries are due by midnight (Pacific) on this
      date, at which time the page will close.
    * June 1, 2011 - Artists will be notified of jury results via e-mail.
    * July 1, 2011 - Accepted entries are due to arrive here.
    * July 1, 2012 - We will begin shipping artwork to purchasers or
      artists, as appropriate.

    Jurying Details:

Not all venues are created equal, and these two are no exception. The LaConner venue is much larger, and we can accept 50 works to hang there.
The Latimer venue is smaller, and we can hang only 28 works there. Once we have selected a cohesive exhibit for the LaConner venue, we will re-sort those entries for two separate exhibits. 28 pieces will go to the Latimer venue, and the other 22 pieces will be exhibited at the
Edmonds Conference Center, in Edmonds, Washington during the same time frame.

In addition, we will select four artworks as back-up, in case we need to eliminate an accepted work, or if an accepted work becomes unavailable for any reason. These four pieces will be from U.S. artists, so we can get them quickly.

I am still seeking a third venue for the time in between these two. Any suggestions for possible venues are welcome.

I have asked two fiber artist friends to assist me in jurying this exhibit:

*Debra Calkins* has been creating original textile art for over
twenty-five years. Materials in her work include metal, fiber, fabric,
plastic, wood, paper, anything she can stitch. Her main focus the last few years has been on social commentary and installation art. Debra recently graduated from the University of Washington Fiber Arts Certificate Program.

*Anne Niles Davenport* has been playing and working with threads and fabrics since she was a small girl. Her skills span design and
production in weaving, hand-knitting, and quilt-making, in all of which she blends simplicity of structure with complexity of color and pattern. Her work may be found in private collections nationally.

Please address any questions or concerns to me at: larkin@larkinart.com

Art Prize Registration Closes June 17th

2010-06-15T12:19:00.000-03:00

Art Prize 2010 Registration closes at 5pm, EDT on June 17th.

Do not miss out on this wonderful opportunity! It is the richest art contest in the world but, even more importantly, it is a great venue to have your work seen by thousands!

Go to: http://www.artprize.org/artists/apply/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ArtistReminder-5-26-2

to sign up!!!

Announcement Regarding Landmark Work of Laurie Swim

2010-03-03T19:59:00.000-04:00

After 10 years in the making, the case at York Mills is ready....

"Laurie will help unveil Breaking Ground, now part of the City of Toronto’s Permanent Art Collection, at the York Mills TTC station at 10:30am on March 17, 2010. The quilt serves not only as a memorial to the lives tragically lost while on the job, but also as a celebration of the spirit of community – the volunteers, city officials, organizations and corporations who worked together with a number of individual donors to create this commemorative portrait of a moment in Toronto’s history that should never be forgotten."

22,000 people a day pass by that site. I believe there will be quite a bit of media attention paid to Laurie and her work in March, and then of course the wonderful, sad memorial will continue to speak to people for a years to come. This is our Press Release http://artquiltpublishing.com/pdfs/HoggsHollowUnveilingMarch17_2010.pdf

Co-incidentally, Laurie is being featured in the March issue of Saltscapes Magazine.

Thirdly, to inform you about Laurie's 2010 summer workshops for our email list before we advertise it widely. This year she is limiting her classes to 8 students each.
http://www.artquiltpublishing.com/pdfs/laurie_swim_start_to_finish.pdf

Laurie's solo show, Land Sea and Memory, will be premiered at the Mary E Black Gallery in Halifax July 22 - September 5, after which it travels to the del Mano Gallery in Los Angeles.

Interesting Call for Entry

2010-01-06T21:41:00.000-04:00

Geometric Abstraction (note- highlighted below, the commission on sold pieces is only 20%!!)

Still Point Art Gallery (http://www.stillpointartgallery.com/index.html) invites submissions from emerging and established artists for its upcoming online exhibition: Geometric Abstraction

Geometry - squares, triangles, circles, ellipses, cones, cubes, and polygons ... length, area, and volume. Geometry frames our world and shapes our world. It brings order, organization, balance, symmetry, and asymmetry to our surroundings. Geometry is used by carpenters and astronomers as well as theoretical mathematicians. The concept of geometry is so simple and appealing that even young children seem to intuitively draw squares and circles and rectangles. Yet the concept of geometry is so complex that mathematicians and physicists may spend years studying applications and theories of one tiny aspect of geometry. Then there is the artist. When an artist's unique view .. of the world, of the self ... incorporates geometric shapes or focuses on natural or man-made geometric shapes, the result may be an amazing display of shape and color. Geometric abstraction can be daring, imposing, powerful, stark, complex, bold, or rhythmic.

Dates and Deadlines

November 15, 2009 - Submissions Open

January 25, 2010 - Submissions Close (Deadline)

February 8, 2010 - Notification of Selection

February 10 through April 6, 2010 - Exhibition (Online Only)

After closing as the featured exhibition on April 6, 2010, Geometric Abstraction will remain online through April 6, 2011.

Eligibility

Open to artists 18 years of age or older from around the world who submit artwork in any medium except video and wearable art. Submissions must be the creation of the artist. Reproductions of original artwork are not accepted.

Images

Artists may choose one of three ways to submit images: (1) you may upload images using our online form (http://www.stillpointartgallery.com/index.php?action=entryform&exhibition=6); (2) you may send images by email; or (3) you may send images on a CD. Slides and prints will not be accepted. Whatever way you choose, images should be saved in jpg format and resized to 72 dpi, less than 1.5 MB, with the maximum dimension of the image being no more (and preferably not much less) than 1000 pixels. Failing to resize your image will result in problems with uploading. The file name of your image should follow this convention - last name, title of work (perhaps abbreviated), and number (matching entry form number) [for example, SMITH_SUNNYDAY_3.jpg]. Do not include stray characters such as # or * in your file name. Doing so will prevent your file from uploading properly. If you choose to email images, please send them to director@stillpointartgallery.com. If you choose to send your images on a CD, please mail to Still Point Art Gallery, 193 Hillside Road, Brunswick, Maine 04011. CDs will not be returned. Once the submission deadline has passed, no image substitutions may be made.

Please Note: If you use Safari on a Mac platform, our online form will NOT work to upload your images. If you use a Mac, (as we do!), please either use Firefox to upload your images or email your images.

Entry Application and Fee

Artists are asked to complete an entry form and submit a non-refundable fee of $25 for up to 3 images. Additional images may be submitted for a fee of $5 each, up to a maximum of 8 images at $50. ($25 for 3 images plus $25 for an additional 5 images to reach the maximum of 8 images at $50) If you complete the entry form and submit your images online, payment may be made online by PayPal or credit card immediately following submission of images. If you submit images by email, you should include the following information about each image in the message: title, medium, dimensions, framed/unframed, and price. Please also include your name, address, and home or cell number. Payment may be made by requesting a PayPal invoice or by check or money order. If you submit images on CD, please include the entry form. Again, payment may be made by requesting a PayPal invoice or by check or money order. Write checks payable to Still Point Art Gallery and mail to 193 Hillside Road, Brunswick ME 04011. Once the submission deadline has passed, no changes in prices as stated on the entry form will be made.

Selection and Awards

Final selections for the exhibition will be made by the Gallery Director, Christine Brooks Cote. Three Artists of Distinction will be chosen who will be invited to show their art as Gallery Artists in 2011.

Sales

Generally, all work submitted must be for sale. (If the artist does not wish to sell certain pieces submitted, the Gallery Director should be notified by email.) By signing the entry form, the artist grants the Gallery the right to sell the work(s) of art. The Gallery will devote its best efforts to the sale of all art. A sales commission of 20% will be retained by Still Point Art Gallery on all sales. Work will be sold for the price indicated on the entry form. Work must remain available for sale and must remain online in the Gallery for the entire duration of the exhibition; no early withdrawals will be permitted.

Use Rights

By submitting work to be considered for the exhibition, artists grant Still Point Art Gallery the right to use their image(s) for the purpose of marketing.

Please be sure to read this additional information for artists:

Information for Artists: http://www.stillpointartgallery.com/~stillpoi/index.php?action=info4artists

SAQA News

2009-12-01T18:47:00.000-04:00

Membership dues will increase by $10 in 2010.
NEW RATES as of January 1st:
Active: $60 (One year); $105 (Two years); $145 (Three years)
PAM: $125 (One year); $235 (Two years); $340 (Three years)
Student: $30 with student ID

SAQA last raised dues three years ago. Since then the services and opportunities which we offer members have grown by leaps and bounds (see list below), but a significant drop in corporate sponsorship, coupled with rising costs, make it necessary to ask each member to pay $10 more.

Through the end of the year
you can renew your membership for up to three years at current rates.

Benefits of SAQA membership include:
Exhibition opportunities open to all members: In 2010, SAQA will be sponsoring 12 exhibitions, which will travel to 21 venues and be seen by well over 200,000 visitors. Many of these exhibitions include catalogs. NEW feature coming this month: exhibition artwork will be available for sale through the SAQA website.

Annual Conference:
2010's conference will be in San Francisco, California
2011 will be in Denver, Colorado
2012 will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

SAQA Journal: 4-color glossy magazine published four times a year, which includes the centerfold SAQA Gallery offering an opportunity to promote yourself by having your work featured

SAQA Lecture Series: an opportunity to present educational lectures to 100+ visitors, including examples of your work, at the International Quilt Festivals

SAQA e.Bulletin: published monthly, alerting members to SAQA events and other important activities

SAQA Trunk Show: traveling collection of work by 180 SAQA members

Regional Representatives: work to bring SAQA information and opportunities right to your area with regional exhibits, meetings and activities, and regional e-newsletters

Reverse Auction: an opportunity to contribute work to the annual online Reverse Auction with a link to your own website

Yahoo Discussion List: a place to ask questions and get advice from the network of members

SAQA University wiki: Everything you need to know about art quilts!

Mentorship Calls and Audios: monthly conference calls on professional development topics which are archived in SAQA-U

The Visioning Project: a way to visualize your goals and dreams - and make them happen!

Professional Artist Member Benefits
In addition to all Active member benefits, PAMs enjoy these additional benefits:

SAQA Portfolio: the opportunity to participate in this resource for the art quilt field, distributed free of charge to over 3000 collectors, museums, curators, art galleries, interior designers and VIPs

Website Homepage Slideshow and Galleries: PAMs can create their own page on SAQA.com. This page includes two images, contact information, and a link to the artist's website. All special Galleries are drawn from this databank of images and information

Co-op advertising opportunities in a number of art/fiber art publications

SAQA Teachers and Lecturers list on website

NEW! Featured Artist Program: each month SAQA will select PAMs to be featured in a mini profile on the website

NEW! Opportunity to curate exhibits: a new program being developed by the Exhibition Committee.

SAQA News

2009-11-30T19:47:00.000-04:00

SAQA now has 2500 members in 31 countries!

Let's help get the number higher! Please introduce a friend to SAQA before the end of the year.

Auction piece by Elaine Quehl

Auction piece by Linda Witte Henke

Regional Meeting Report, 26 November 2009

2009-11-28T19:50:00.000-04:00

Hello SAQA Atlantic Canada members!
Sharon Baldwin hosted our get-together on Thursday November 26 at her home in Falmouth, NS. Attending were:
Laurie Swim, Penny Berens, Celeste Thibodeau-Stacey, Kate Madeloso, and Anna Davison Co-Rep for Atlantic Canada.
Regrets: Teri Springer Co-Rep, Caroline Crawford, Linda Finley, Regina Marzlin.

Notes from the gathering:

1. The main topic of discussion was the SAQA Quilt show proposed in August.
* Kate read through the Pier 21 Overview and it was decided that our working theme fit their theme of
   'Citizenship and Cultural Identity'.

* We then went through SAQA's Guidelines for Installation and had some of the points clarified by
   Laurie, in that they are there for us to work with in selecting venues, and to protect our art works.

* After much discussion and a phone call to Karen Henry, the group would like our SAQA Show to be
available during the Quilt Canada dates of May 29 through June 2, 2012. Pier 21 is not
available to us during this time period. Suggestions for venues were given and we will start with
Dalhousie, Mount St. Vincent and the Mary E Black galleries - find out if their gallery space is    available for up to six weeks spanning Quilt Canada Halifax 2012. If anyone has another suitable venue in mind,would you please let us know...Thanks.

* FYI Karen Cross is the QC Coordinator -902-434-7078 - kasey@ns.sympatico.ca

* Working Theme: ROOTS: Where we came from; Where we are Planted
* Standard size for art quilts: 22" x 30", to hang either portrait or landscape
* Each member make a minimum of 3 wall hangings
* This is a juried show.
* Kate not interested in being curator right now [husband retiring next year and possibility of moving]
* Will need to set up a committee to take on the job of curating - any volunteers??

* We discussed submitting our ideas as to why our histories/theme are [1] relevant to our communities and [2] relevant to our broader society. This would assist the future SAQA SHOW committee in writing any proposals. These were questions asked by Pier 21 for their proposal. Please submit them to me at annadavison@eastlink.ca.

2. Recruitment :
We talked about this again, and with the prospect of a show in the spring of 2012, we have 2 years
to invite other like-minded quilters to join our group and get them excited about the show.

3. Lunch : a delicious pot luck with 3 homemade soups, appetizers , cheeses, fruit and breads.
      Thank you to all for your offerings. YUM!

4. SAQA Travelling Show
   We are hoping to have the SAQA travelling show back with us in the new year and will be available
   after January to take it to guilds and other interested groups [weather permitting for winter months].

5. Co-Reps:
   Kate offered her opinions regarding the co-rep positions - be Canadian and good communicators.
   She feels Teri's absence for part of the year does not serve our group well; that a communication
   forum should have been set up sooner i.e. Yahoo blog.***
   Responses from the group:
   1. doesn't matter if she's American or Canadian, she has done more for the SAQA membership
       here since the group started in this area.
   2. She attends SAQA meetings and gives our region a voice, projects our profile to the world.
   3. We as a group figure out how to use SAQA for our benefit...hold group shows, calls for entry.
   4. There were some computer glitches and health issues Teri had to deal with when she went to
        Michigan, thus the delay in setting up the blog.
   5. Membership is usually for one year at a time - have fun and enjoy the process.
The consensus from the rest of the group was to put off further discussion about the Co-Rep positions until Teri returns and can speak for herself.

***about the blog - some discussion on the best or preferable means of communication within the group. Some of us are more comfortable [read computer friendly] with simple e-mails to share ideas and keep in touch.

6. Next Meeting
With the onset of winter, snow and icy roads, the possiblilty of having a gathering over the next few months is hard to plan. Would like to try for sometime in April in the Antigonish area. Lets keep in touch over the winter by your preferred communication choice.

FYI - I will be in Tonga for part of January attending our daughters wedding.
       - Laurie's preferred e-mail is: laurieswim@eastlink.ca
       - I received an e-mail from Kate Friday morning stating she would not be renewing her SAQA
        membership. Her artistic talent and organizational abilities will be missed. I wished her all the best.

That's it for now
Happy Quilting
Anna

Notes from Teri:

1) the blog was set up prior to my leaving Nova Scotia as was the Yahoo group. I made sure it was all in place and notified everyone so that we had a means for communication when I was not in Nova Scotia. Considering how spread out we all are, my being in the US for periods of time should not be a problem.

2) The blog is for announcements or items of interest to all. The Yahoo group is for general communication. You send an email and everyone who has signed up to receive email gets a copy. You respond via email and everyone gets a copy. I am still trying to get everyone to sign up. I can only communicate with those who want to communicate with me.

3) While I do not (yet) have my Canadian citizenship my family came to North America via Nova Scotia. Some chose to stay in Canada, some didn't. Unfortunately I am descended from those who didn't. I have been Canadian at heart all my life. I consider Nova Scotia home. 'Nuff said.

4) Everything about the show sounds great. Peg Keeney and Desi Vaughn, who are both from Michigan were/are a part of the curating committee for SAQA. I will see both of them at the SAQA/SDA Conference in March and will pick their brains as well as any other SAQA/SDA members who have curated in the past for help. Actually, Peg and I are working on a project involving the Radisson Conference Center in Kalamazoo, MI (where the Fabrications Retreat is held the end of August) regarding use of SAQA art. This project would benefit ALL members of SAQA. When we get together I will work with her. So, I am willing to be on the curating committee however, I don't have the contacts that I know Laurie and Val have. And Sharon, it would be nice to have you on the committee. I will be chatting with Ann Morell Robinson (Cape Breton) and hope to get her to renew her SAQA membership. She has contacts in Cape Breton and, I believe, some curating experience so maybe I can get her on board too.

5) I will be in Chester the last week of February/first week of March and will be attending the Mahone Bay Quilters Guild meeting. I will also be available to meet with anyone who wants to meet and do so wherever. After years of working as a medical case manager in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, winter driving is not an issue for me (well, to a point). Of course, it helps that I have 4wd too. I will be back in Chester in mid-June (my son graduates grade 12 on June 6th so I will have to skip Quilt Surface Design Symposium this year. It is June 1-10, I believe. I have already paid deposits on classes that are non-refundable so, if anyone is interested in going, let me know. I will let you have my spot. All you have to do is pay the balance. If you are interested and want to know what classes I signed up for, email me at teri@teridspringer.com ).

6) I will be holding at least one workshop on deconstructed screen printing this summer. I will post more info later. If you want to know more about the process, let me know.

I'm sorry I could not be at the meeting. The company is always good (and I was looking forward to meeting Penny; Celeste I already know from Pictou) and I KNOW I missed some great food.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season! Please don't forget to send me any announcements to post on the blog!

Open House- African Threads

2009-11-25T13:00:00.000-04:00

African Threads: Textiles in support of women in South Africa.
Christmas Show & Sale :

Mahone Bay Father Christmas Festival Weekends

November 28 & 29   10am to 5 pm
December 5&6          10am to 5 pm

Location: Val's home 195 Fairmont Street, Mahone Bay. Last house on the left.

Embroidered tapestries, gorgeous Zulu bead jewellery, ceremonial beaded dolls and sale items.
Beautiful hand crafts from women's groups in South Africa. The purchase of these goods helps support women in South Africa.   15% of the profits is donated to the Grandmother-to-Grandmother Campaign.
www.africanthreads.ca

African Threads is a small business which grew from my passion for the art of the stitch; its story-telling magic and its power to heal women's lives.

You are most welcome to drop-in, bring a friend, have some tea & cookies and find that special Christmas gift that supports women in South Africa.

From Laurie Swim

2009-11-23T15:58:00.000-04:00

We are proud to announce a line of high resolution, archival-quality photographic prints, produced from images of Laurie Swim’s art quilts. While astoundingly true to the original work, they are worthy collectibles on their own.

Opening Reception:
November 28, 2009, 2pm – 4pm.
Laurie Swim Studio/Gallery 112 Lincoln Street Lunenburg NS, By chance or by appointment 902.640.2220
www.laurieswim.com

An Opportunity to Participate!

2009-11-19T19:28:00.001-04:00

I would like to see us do a panel from Atlantic Canada SAQA. I am suggesting we do a 4 x 4 panel. Since I am not in Nova Scotia, I want the rest of you to do it. The deadline is Feb. 1, 2010 (received by). If there is enough interest I will pay the entry fee. If you do decide to do this, you need to choose from the list of Visionaries (there are 104 of them on the website at http://www.thedreamrocket.com/visionaries-and-art.html ). Please discuss this at the meeting and let me know.

Thanks,

teri

How to Participate

The Dream Rocket is reaching out to students, teachers, schools, individuals, groups and organizations to create and submit over 8,000 "Dream Theme" or "Visionary" panels that will be sewn together in Huntsville, Alabama. This historical 30,467-square foot quilt will represent dreams from all over the world. During May and June of 2010, (60 days) this quilt will completely wrap the 363-foot vertical Saturn V Rocket which stands in front of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center® in Huntsville, Alabama.

Be a part; How do I participate?

1. Reserve a spot for your panel on the Rocket today!

* Need a sponsor?
* Want to be a sponsor?

2. Create and submit a Dream Theme Panel or a Visionary Panel

3. Mail Panel with Entry Form between: August 1, 2009 – February 1, 2010. (no later than February 1, 2010)

Overview:

What is a Dream Theme Panel?
When you are creating a Dream Theme Panel you will be given a list of possible themes to consider. However, you are given the freedom to create your own theme. While thinking about your theme, ask yourself, “What would my dream be for a better future in relation to this theme?” Your panel can be designed anyway you would like; it could be very abstract or very realistic, or somewhere in the middle.

See Create a Dream Theme Panel.

How To Participate / Imagine through Art
Can I choose my own Dream Theme?
There are no restrictions on what Dream Theme you can choose to express in your panel. You are free to dream whatever you would like. The Dream Team simply has provided some possibilities of themes to help you take that first step. However, when you mail in your form with your panel you will be asked to circle a listed Dream Theme just so that our staff will know where to post an image of your panel. This will also help you to find where your panel’s image is posted on our website for future reference. These panels are 2 feet by 2 feet.

What is a Visionary Panel?
Visionary Panels are recommended but not limited to groups, schools, organizations, etc. To create a Visionary Panel you will need to select a designated Visionary from our list. By purchasing your Visionary Panel you will be the only group representing that Visionary. In creating your Visionary Panel you will be asked to consider your chosen Visionary Dreams and influence in history and the present. In doing so you have many different methods of approaching the creation of your panel. It is best to select a question for your group to think about. Example; How did this Visionary influence the world? How did he/she influence me? If you were standing in his/her shoes, what do you think his/her dream for a better future would be? See Create a Visionary Panel. These panels are 4 Feet x 4 Feet.

You will be asked to fill out a form, print it, and mail it, along with your submitted panel. Once we receive your panel we will photograph and document it. Your panel’s photograph and information with be posted on our website underneath either the Visionary or Dream Theme section. Your first and last name, along with city, state, or country will be posted under the Who’s Involved section.

Need a Sponsor?
We understand that money is hard to come by these days. There are many ways to find sponsorship for your panel. Let us help you find sponsorship!

Want to Sponsor?
This is a great opportunity for you to support student’s and individuals all over the world who would like the opportunity to submit a panel but may not be able to provide the submission fee. We are happy to collect your sponsorship and match it with an applicant who meets your specifications (example: I would like to sponsor 3 panels from 3 elementary schools in New Zealand) If you are interested go to Want to sponsor?

Disclosure: All donations, reservations, or sponsorships are non-refundable - Unless The Dream Rocket project is permanently canceled. Thank you.

NOTE: Once a reservation is made, your panel is guaranteed a spot on the Dream Rocket Quilt. However, if you submit a panel that is considered by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center® to be obscene or politically offensive, the Dream Rocket Team has the right to request another, however this does not mean you lose a spot for your panel or that you will receive a refund, you will simply need to submit a new panel. Thank you.

From Val

2009-11-13T10:35:00.001-04:00

I wanted to let you know about 2 opportunities for you to do some Christmas shopping and buy beautiful hand crafts form women's groups in South Africa. The purchase of these goods helps support women in S.A. and in addition, 15% of the profits is donated to the Grandmother-to-Grandmother Campaign.
__________________________________________________________
Talk and Sale: Acadia University: Wolfville
Tuesday November 17   7:00pm-8:00pm
Presentation - African Threads
Valerie Hearder will give an illustrated talk about African Threads, a small business which grew from her passion for the art of the stitch: its story-telling magic and its power to heal womens lives. Valerie's illustrated talk will take you on her journey to South Africa to visit the women and discover how powerfully important their craft work is in holding their families and communities together.

African Threads products on display 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Wong International Centre. Acadia University Wolfville
Beveridge Arts Centre, Room 241
International Education Week schedule at Acadia University:
http://learningcommons.acadiau.ca/int_ed/int_ed_week.html
check out the map for parking information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Christmas Show & Sale : Mahone Bay Father Christmas Festival Weekends
Location: At my home
Embroidered tapestries, gorgeous Zulu bead jewellery, ceremonial beaded dolls and sale items.

November 28 & 29   10am to 5 pm
December 5&6          10am to 5 pm

We are most welcome to drop-in, bring a friend, have some tea or hot cider, comfy chairs for husbands or tired companions provided. Come just for a chat, to see the goods and perhaps find that special Christmas gift that supports women in South Africa. As usual 15% of profits go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

My house is at 195 Fairmont St, Mahone Bay. The last house on the left.

Announcements and Congratulations!

2009-11-08T17:54:00.002-04:00

First, I want to apologize for this being so late. I have had computer problems (actually modem/router problems) which I am in the process of fixing. Sharon Baldwin sent this announcement to me a couple of weeks ago.

I wish I could be there to see this show. If photos are allowed, I would really appreciate it if some one would take some for me. If you can't read the flyer (unfortunately I can't increase the quality of the scan) the show is at Ross Creek and runs through December 18th. One of Sharon's pieces is in the upper right hand corner of the postcard.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

teri

Member Published!

2009-10-10T19:06:00.000-03:00

I am pleased and proud to announce that Valerie Hearder has had her article on "African Threads" accepted for publication to "Patchwork and Quilting" in the UK.

Way to go, Valerie!

SAQA Auction Results

2009-10-07T21:11:00.000-03:00

Here are the results from the SAQA Auction (I had to cut out the comparisons to previous years because it just didn't want to line up correctly). This auction brought in $47, 350; in 2008 the total was $41,550 and, in 2007 it was $27,250.

Auction Sales 2009 - total 229 sold ($47,350)
6 pieces are still available in the SAQA Store.

PRICE POINT INFO
$750 - 24 pieces ($ 18,000)
$550 - 4 pieces ($ 2,200)
$350 - 4 pieces ($ 1,400)
$250 - 25 pieces ($ 6,250)
$150 - 88 pieces ($ 13,200)
$75 - 84 pieces ($ 6,300)

Average price - $207
Median price - $150

BUYER INFO - 102 buyers
Buyers bought an average of 2.2 pieces; median number of 3 per person.

Breakdown by number bought if more than one:

People who bought 2 pieces - 19
People who bought 3 pieces - 5
People who bought 4 pieces - 4
People who bought 5 pieces - 2
People who bought 6 pieces - 2
People who bought 7 pieces - 1
People who bought 8 pieces - 3
People who bought 41 pieces - 1

NON-MEMBERS
19 non-members - 19% of total buyers; bought $8,750 - 18.5% of total sales

Blog Administration

2009-10-06T08:53:00.000-03:00

Under the advice of the other reps in SAQA, I have reconfigured the blog so that only Anna and I can post. This is to maintain consistency in how items of interest are posted. I didn't do this initially because, with such a small group I didn't think it was necessary. It was pointed out to me that this is a tad short-sighted as our group will not stay this small.

And, as proof, Sharon Baldwin informed me that she, Kate and Penny have already recruited some new members. Way to go, ladies! Keep up the great work! If each of you brings in only one new member in the next 6 months we will have doubled our membership! This is WAY ahead of the timeline I set at the conference in May- I had hoped to double membership by January 2011!

So, please don't be offended by this. It is not a reflection on any of you but it is a reflection on the standard set by all the other regions. Most of the other regions have at least one rep with a year or more's experience so I am trying to follow their lead.

Please send any news, articles, photos to me (Anna is currently out west and her email is full) and I will get them posted ASAP. Even though I will be traveling over the next few days, most of the places I stay have WiFi so I check email when I get settled in each night.

By the way, tooting your own horn is highly encouraged so don't be afraid to send news about pieces in shows or sold. Give us all the opportunity to congratulate you! Part of being a member of SAQA is getting support from your sister/fellow members. Also, as an FYI, I will be adding links to the other regional blogs (and they will be adding us to their list of links) so we can all see what is going on elsewhere. Not all of the regions have blogs yet (we are ahead of the curve here) but I anticipate that most will by the new year.

teri
Co-rep, Atlantic Canada

Out and About

2009-10-05T11:35:00.000-03:00

In today's Halifax Chronicle Herald (edited):

Valerie Hearder will be presenting a slide show and talk about "African Threads" and her recent 6 week trip to South Africa at the Pictou United Church on 15 Oct. at 7 p.m. African Threads items will be on display and for sale.

Purpose of this blog

2009-10-04T22:08:00.000-03:00

Apparently I wasn't clear enough when I posted the "Welcome" for this blog.

This blog is PUBLIC. It can be read by anyone. I fully intend to share the URL with guilds, shops, galleries, studios: wherever I find someone who might find us of interest. I hope you do the same.

Because of this I hope you will all understand that posts need to be SAQA related and/or of interest to current or potential members of SAQA.

Anything that is questionable will be discussed between myself, as your rep and the blog admin, and my co-rep, Anna Davison. If we feel that it is not pertinent or appropriate, it will be deleted. You are welcome to question this decision should it happen to one of your posts. We are certainly willing to reconsider.

Thank you for your understanding.

teri

Regarding Meeting on a Regular Basis

2009-10-04T21:01:00.000-03:00

I thought I should also address this: you are encouraged to set up meetings whenever you want. You do not need a SAQA rep present in order to have a SAQA meeting. And a meeting only needs 2 people. I do understand that the weather in February and March is not good here. I lived and worked on the shores of Lake Superior for some time and put as much as 675 miles on my car in one day in January. Believe me, I DO know about winter travel. But, as noted, you don't need me there to have a meeting. I do NOT encourage you to travel in bad weather. However, the weather in January, February and March is going to be what it is whether I am here or not! I CAN attend meetings virtually via my computer. If someone at the meeting end has a web cam and microphone I can be right there with you! If no one has these, I can look into providing two of each for the region and they can be passed at the end of a meeting to whoever will be hosting the next one (I already have a webcam here that is not being used). I don't need either because they are built in to my iMac and Macbook.

Also, I have extra copies of critique books that we can pass around. I will get the books to Anna and we can have a lend/share library.

Please feel free to email me with any further ideas/suggestions.

teri
teri@teridspringer.com

Show & SAQA

2009-10-04T19:58:00.000-03:00

Kate- You last point is dead-on. This is NOT the place to discuss this.

First of all, the blog is not a closed blog; any one can read it. It is a place to post news of SAQA events, member accomplishments, etc.

Second: you have apparently made the decision that this will not be a SAQA show. I have no problem with you curating your own show however, you may not use SAQA to do so and that includes not posting on the SAQA blog discussions pertaining to developing a non-SAQA show. It IS appropriate ( and strongly encouraged) to post a "call for entry" here once you are ready to do so.

In the meantime, SAQA-Atlantic Canada still plans to put together a show as I originally proposed. The show will be SAQA sanctioned and, as such, juried. Show entries will be open to any and all members of SAQA who are in the region. Calls for entry will be disseminated widely and it will be noted that membership in SAQA is required, just as it is in the call for entry for "Art Meets Science." As we discussed at the meeting in August, part of being among the early members of this group is recruiting and part of the purpose of this show was to recruit. Anna and I put a lot of effort into putting together a reception at the Pictou Retreat that included the SAQA at 20 trunk show and we had an excellent response. I had at least two "for sures" and at least 5 "seriously thinking about its" with regard to joining. All of these were due to their reaction to the trunk show as well as being impressed by the "Synthesis" show at the Rossignol (which is a SAQA show) and being interested in the discussed regional show. I would hope that ALL of our current members would work on bringing in at least one new member in the next 6 months.

I am taking the trunk show to the Mahone Bay meeting tomorrow night. After that the show has to go to Houston for the IQA show. Anna is requesting that the trunk show then be returned to her so that she may take it to other guilds in the region. I will be mailing copies of our newsletter to guilds in all 4 provinces along with brochures, additional photos, the links for the SAQA website and our blog. I will also let them know that Anna and I are available to come and give a presentation to their guilds. I will also include a letter regarding our (SAQA's) future plans for a sanctioned show, putting together locally specific parlour groups, and local critique groups as well as educational offerings with respect to critiquing and other aspects of being a professional studio artist.

In the meantime, I will be sending out invitations to a private Yahoo discussion group. One thing missing at the August meeting was discussion amoung ALL members regarding what YOU as members would like to get out of your membership besides the website, wiki and journal. PLEASE- tell us!! Anna and I (and Laura) only know what WE want out of our membership. We can't help you get what you need if you don't tell us.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. Anna and I are both new at this reps thing but we really are trying....

teri

Meeting on a regular basis

2009-10-04T18:54:00.000-03:00

Hello all,
A few things have come up since our parlour meeting mid August that I would like to hear some feedback for. I am assuming that most of you have read the newsletter Teri sent out with the minutes from that meeting.

We had determined at our parlour meeting that we were going to meet every 2 to 3 months to continue to support each other in our studio work and to work on the proposed idea of a quilt show at Pier 21.

As Teri is gone next Friday and not back until Feb or March - that gives us a huge break inbetween. We really needed to meet before winter sets in and I think we should still plan to do that. (meeting in Feb. or March will not be favoured by most as road travel at that time can be too dangerous).

I volunteered to be the chairperson and main contact with Pier 21. As chairperson I would want us to meet a few times asap to discuss how best to approach this proposal as a group and as individuals. For the high profile Pier 21 has (now especially because it has been granted national status and is shifting over to government administration) this show needs to be fairly dynamic. It can be done in two years but we need to start working on it now.

I have just received the proposal information from Pier 21 (not the Cunard) and the criteria requested will need considerable discussion, input, brainstorming, etc. for there to be a cohesive and agreed upon theme. Our current one does not really fit into their criteria.

One of the questions is: how will our show benefit the community? This is not an easy question to answer considering what we had initially discussed. The theme definetly has to deal with immigration. Historical or current. Most of us as SAQA members are not immigrants to Canada, however we may have in our lineage. In my mind, then the theme needs to involve our family members who immigrated here. And not be about 'us' and what brought us here to Nova Scotia.

We have currently six members who have committed to doing the exhibition. This is not enough, clearly. We need double that, if not more. If we opened it up right away I am sure we could get other quilt artists to commit to the show. So I am considering putting word out to the quilt artists I know that would enjoy this challenge and rise to it.

Or maybe Pier 21 isn't where we should be having our first show? I am even thinking that SAQA doesn't need to be the vehicle to back this show. Or, possibly if we can interest others in doing the show, they would consider joining SAQA. The issue for me is that there would be a lot of pressure put on the six committed quilters to do a proper show.

I would like to see some discussion from others about what direction to take this in. I have just read the criteria set by SAQA to have an exhibition of SAQA members. We have a lot to discuss.

Maybe this blog isn't the place to discuss this and we should form a Yahoo group? Feeback please.
Kate

Introducing ourselves

2009-10-04T14:46:00.000-03:00

Hi, everyone. I'm co-founder of TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles. My partner Alleson Kase and I are not ourselves quilters, but are certainly supporters of art quilting (and are SAQA members). Many of you know our work with women weavers in rural Thailand and Laos. Our direct connection to quilters is through the handwoven, naturally dyed and fairly traded silk fabrics we sell.

I've just posted a new page of silk fabrics on our website. We invite you to visit and to help us spread the word about these. We also have created packages of 5 silk squares (one fancy and 4 solid) specifically for people who want to try small quantities. We call these 100% SILK. 100% ART. You can check them out either in our Etsy shop or on our website (where you can see where Laurie Swim has used them in one of her quilts).

We look forward to meeting with you at some point.

Ellen

Announcements

2009-10-04T14:09:00.000-03:00

The Fall 2009 SAQA Journal is now available online, either through the members' home section of the website, http://www.saqa.com/members/JournalLinks.aspx

or SAQA-U, http://www.saqau.wikispaces.net/Res+SAQA+Journal+Back+Issues

(log in before clicking on either link).

As Martha Sielman noted in the October e.Bulletin:
* If you would prefer to ONLY read the Journal online, you can now indicate your preference by checking off the Online Journal Only box in your Member Profile.
* The Fall Journal was delayed in production because we wanted to include reports from the Conference. It will be mailed out in the next few weeks.

Welcome to SAQA- Atlantic Canada

2009-10-03T16:01:00.000-03:00

Welcome to the new blog for the Atlantic Canada region of SAQA. This blog will feature news pertinent to our group as well as news ABOUT our group and it's members.

If you are a member, I hope you will contribute to this blog by sending me your news, photos, etc. If you are not a member, I hope you will visit often to see what we are doing.

teri springer
Co-rep, Atlantic Canada