Exhilarating. Informative. Productive. Exhausting. Inspiring. Fun.

Artwork by Jeanine Gunn

These are just some of the words that describe SAQA Atlantic's fourth retreat, held last weekend in Debert, Nova Scotia.

Fourteen SAQA members attended, including new member Jeanine Gunn, from Antigonish County, NS.

By day, we learned about preparing proposals in the art world, whether for a grant, a show or a residency. This session was thoughtfully led by Melanie Colosimo, director and curator of the Anna Leonowens Gallery. 

We listened to lightning talks by Kristi Farrier, Holly McLean, Anne Morrell Robinson and Christine Nielsen. Regina Marzlin presented her experiences with the SAQA Mentorship Program, tempting many of us to sign up. And together we planned some exciting next steps for SAQA Atlantic:

• Holly McLean will set up an Instagram account.
• Helene Blanchet will maintain our blog's Call for Entry page.
• Susan Lilley will begin a series of Artist Studio series on our blog.
• Regina Marzlin will create a Facebook page for our region.
• Helene Blanchet will coordinate the next SAQA trunk show tour.
• Our next regional retreat will take place next fall. Once again, Laureen van Lierop has agreed to coordinate the program.
• Kristi Farrier will replace Regina Marzlin as our regional representative, beginning March 1, 2019.
• We decided to form a regional critique group using Zoom technology. Regina Marzlin will set us all up with the technology and prepare the first meeting for mid January. Laureen van Lierop and Jeanine Gunn will be the first facilitators.

But the retreat wasn't all work. By evening, we kicked back with wine, cheese and chocolates, showing and talking about our work. Throughout the event, we continued to build relationships across the region.

Overall it was a great weekend, the mood was constructive, the level of volunteering exceptional and we all appreciated the various learning opportunities provided. 

If you missed this year's retreat, stay tuned for information about the next one, tentatively planned for autumn 2019.

Artwork by Helene Blanchet

Artwork by Cathy Drummond

Artwork by Kristi Farrier

Printwork by Linda Mackie Finley

Artwork by Regina Marzlin

Laureen van Lierop's sketchbook

Artwork by Holly McLean

Fourth SAQA Atlantic retreat May 4-5-6, 2018

Join SAQA Atlantic members at the Debert Hospitality Centre for a weekend of camaraderie, learning and inspiration! 

Program

Friday May 4th
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Arrival at Debert Hospitality Centre, room check in, meet and greet, orientation. 

Friday evening
Welcome by Atlantic area SAQA rep Regina Marzlin
Show & Tell

Saturday, May 5th
Morning
Hands-On seminar -- Gathering Thoughts with Mark Making 
Led by ReBecca Paterson
Followed by Linda Mackie Finley's Binding Thoughts.

We will explore mark making through a series of fast-paced exercises, then discuss how to use or further develop our marks. With Linda’s guidance we will produce a portfolio from our marked papers, so we can continue working on the marks throughout and after the retreat.

Saturday afternoon:
Presentation -- Talking about your Work: Networking in the Arts
Guest Speaker: Sarah Maloney

Sarah Maloney, RCA, is a Halifax artist with an MFA from the University of Windsor and a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. She has received numerous grants and awards from the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, the New Brunswick Arts Board and the Ontario Arts Council. Under Sarah's guidance, we’ll learn how to talk about our work with confidence, build our networks and gain recognition in the arts community.

Saturday evening:
Show and Tell

Sunday May 6th
Morning
Discussion -- Sharing Thoughts and Where to from Here?
Led by: Chris Nielsen

Departure after lunch on Sunday.

 ___________

Cost:
The fee for the retreat is $240, which includes two nights accommodation and all meals. We appreciate receipt of a contribution from SAQA headquarters to make this event  affordable. 

Please register for the retreat on or before April 20th, 2018. For more information or to register, contact our SAQA Atlantic representative Regina Marzlin.    

Please note that this event is for SAQA members exclusively. Not a member? You can join SAQA here!

SAQA Atlantic Retreat 2015 - It's all about the light

It's all about Light

Walt Malone is a professional full-time photographer who believes completely in

the practice of continuous learning. “ There is no point in time during the course of our

lives when we know everything” “Photography is no different”. He also believes that in

order to better the industry and maintain an integrity the sharing of knowledge is

imperative. Photography is evolving and with the advantage of digital over the past two

decades photographer have to be held to a higher standard of ability.

Walt promotes that light has been the source of all great photography

and how it is used makes a great photograph. “While Photoshop and other post

production programs will certainly enhance the image we have to start with an image

using a proper selection of light”.

We have all heard the expression to “Show or see something in its best light”.

Normally this is a metaphor which suggests that things both animated and inanimate

are best seen when the viewer sees with a positive attitude. However, if we take the

expression literally and apply it to a photography we are reminded that the difference

between good photography and bad photography has nothing to do with the value of the

camera or what can be “Fixed” in Photoshop.

During the upcoming seminar my hope is raise the level of understanding where

photos are concerned and how photography can easily be created in order to best show

an artisans work in its best light.

Walt Malone, MPA, SPA, F/MPPA, F/SWPP

SAQA Atlantic Retreat 2015 Program

 The Program

Focus on Success SAQA-Atlantic Canada April 10-12 , 2015

At this yearʼs retreat we will build on the activities at the November 2013 retreat. Our theme is related to professional development. That means many things to many people but some tools and skills are universally useful. Those will be the focus of our sessions.

Good pictures of our work are important, whether we are sharing them with our families, entering a show or printing cards for sale. For that reason, we have engaged a professional photographer who will provide some theoretical and practical information in a morning lecture. He will remain with us and oversee a hands-on session later in the day. You will have the opportunity to use your own camera and provided lights to photograph an art quilt and will learn the best set-up for use at home.

Websites and blogs, whether they are yours or other peopleʼs, are vital for distribution of information and learning. We will offer a session on the choices you need to make to create your own website or blog. Screenshots will show you the actual steps you need to take if you want to share your work with the world.

As a member of SAQA, there are many opportunities for learning and exposure. I will present a session intended to better familiarize you with the SAQA website and the organizationʼs programs which you can leverage to meet your goals.

SAQA members in our region have experienced success in various ways, whether it is entering shows, enhancing their on-line profile or selling in shops and galleries. Some of them will tell their stories as part of a panel discussion. You will have an opportunity to ʻpick their brainsʼ about everything from how to price your work to what it takes to create a website.

There will, of course, be opportunities to share your work with others. We have designed a new format for the ʻshow and tellʼ portion of the retreat which will give you more opportunities to really engage with the individual artists and their work. In addition, Kate Madeloso is planning a few other fun activities. There will still be lots of time to chat with and learn from the other people who attend the retreat.

Chris

Please note: For further information regarding cost and registration, please click on the Retreat 2015 tab on the top bar. 

SAQA Atlantic 2015 Retreat

Introducing Walt Malone, our feature workshop photographer for the 2015 Retreat

As program coordinator with Chris Nielsen for the SAQA Atlantic 2015 retreat I started contacting photographers in the Saint John area to offer us a workshop on how to get the best shots of our fabric art. When I chatted with Walt Malone on the phone there was an immediate connection. I told him what we had in mind and his enthusiasm came through with sparks of energy. Yes, this is the person we need. 

I mentioned that we would like to simulate a home set up using minimal props and lighting to photograph art quilts, something with lots of texture and various fabrics. When he said all you need is a pillow, a timer on your camera, waxed paper and a clothespeg - well, he had me at the word pillow.

Exerpt from his website http://www.timecapsulephoto.com/

"Walt Malone is currently the most nationally accredited photographer in Canada. These have been acquired in thirty separate disciplines. Accreditations are awards acquired when a panel of national judges reviews a submission of ten above average quality images within one photographic discipline. He also holds both his Craftsmanshop and Masters in photographic arts."

Walt will be offering a morning introduction and instruction class with handouts. In the afternoon there will be photography setups for participants to shoot one of their own art quilts with Walt's assistance. Participants must bring their own cameras.

The current trend for calls for entries into shows nationally and internationally is the acceptance of quality photos sent via email or Dropbox. All of you who have websites and blogs know how important it is to have the best quality photos to upload. This will be an EPDWE - educational professional development workshop extraordinaire. Don't miss this great opportunity! See you April 10th to 12th in Saint John, NB.

threadly yours,

Kate Madeloso

Please note! Walt has requested that participants bring their camera manuals with them to the workshop. As well, point and shoot cameras are perfectly acceptable.