01 March 2021

Folk art quilt show touring Manitoba galleries

The Corner
by Helene Blanchet 2016
w19" x h39"
Cape Breton, NS, textile artist Hélène Blanchet's collection of prairie-inspired folk art quilts is currently touring Manitoba art galleries. You can read all about Blanchet’s prairie series and how it came to be in Folk Art Quilts, a recent feature article in Galleries West, an independent online art magazine.



 "Blanchet’s whimsical creations celebrate the Prairies – and the human spirit." Paul Gessell






Hélène Blanchet: Prairie Days is on view at the New Iceland Heritage Museum in Gimli, Manitoba, from Feb. 17 to April 26, 2021. The exhibition will move on to Killarney and Dauphin.


Springtime in the Grasslands 
Hélène Blanchet, 2018
w39" x h19"


Read Folk Art Quilts article in Galleries West.

28 February 2021

Spotlight on Regina Marzlin

Here's a sneak peek at Regina Marzlin's 2021 SAQA Spotlight Auction contribution, entitled Feeling Zen. Regina lives and makes art in Antigonish Nova Scotia.

 

Feeling Zen by Regina Marzlin (2021) w6"x h8"

RM:  Feeling Zen features a layered monoprint with machine and hand stitch.


Read more about Regina's art on her website Regina Marzlin Fibre Art.

Learn more about contributing to SAQA's 2021 Spotlight Auction here.

17 February 2021

Introducing... Garden on the Hill by Hélène Blanchet


Detail of Garden on the Hill, by Hélène Blanchet
Garden on the Hill is a textile artwork created by artist Hélène Blanchet of Margaree Valley, Cape Breton, NS. In the video interview below, Hélène speaks with StFX Art Gallery Director Andrea Terry about her practice and this particular piece.

Garden on the Hill is one of 33 successful entries in SAQA's national juried show of textile artwork, Colour with a U. The show can be seen at the StFX University Art Gallery in Antigonish, NS until February 27, 2021.

If you're planning to visit the gallery, take note that a maximum of 4 visitors is permitted in each 30-minute time slot. Book your 30-minute visit time slot on the Gallery's site here. 

And here's the video:


 

09 February 2021

Spotlight on Kathy Tidswell

Kathy Tidswell of Burtts Corner NB is the first Atlantic Canadian artist to reveal her 2021 SAQA Spotlight Auction contribution, entitled Clematis Blooms.

Clematis Blooms by Kathy Tidswell (2021) w8"x h6".

KT: I created my clematis flowers and leaves with Inktense pencils and using free-motion embroidery, I appliquéd them to my painted background. I quilted it with WonderFil’s Invisifil thread following patterns created in the background painting. If you look closely you will even see a little sparkle in the blooms.


GET YOUR WORK IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

This year, SAQA's Spotlight Auction will be an online event taking place during the Oceans Apart Connected by Art Virtual Conference (April 16-24, 2021). This is an opportunity for all SAQA members to have their work showcased to a world-wide audience. You do NOT have to attend the conference to participate. All proceeds will help support SAQA programs.

Learn more about participating in SAQA's 2021 Spotlight Auction here.

07 February 2021

Introducing... The Here & Elsewhere Bee by Andrea Tsang Jackson

The Here & Elsewhere Bee
by Andrea Tsang Jackson (detail)

In the video interview below, Andrea Tsang Jackson speaks with StFX Art Gallery Director Andrea Terry about The Here & Elsewhere Bee. This large textile artwork was created by Andrea T-J during her artist residency at Halifax's Pier 21, The Canadian Museum of Immigration.

The Here & Elsewhere Bee is one of 33 successful entries in SAQA's national juried show of textile artwork, Colour with a U. The show can be seen at the StFX University Art Gallery in Antigonish, NS until February 27, 2021. 


31 January 2021

Introducing... LatitUde and AttitUde by Kristi Farrier


Detail of LatitUde and AttitUde by Kristi Farrier
w24"xh36"

LatitUde and AttitUde is a textile artwork created by SAQA Atlantic Regional Representative Kristi Farrier, who lives in Middle River, Cape Breton.

In the video below, Kristi speaks about her artwork with StFX Art Gallery Director Andrea Terry. 

LatitUde and AttitUde is one of 33 successful entries in SAQA's national juried show of textile artwork, Colour with a U. The show can be seen at the StFX University Art Gallery in Antigonish, NS until February 27, 2021. 

If visiting in person, take note that a maximum of 4 visitors is permitted in each 30-minute time slot. Book your 30-minute visit time slot on the Gallery's site here. 


 

24 January 2021

Introducing.... 36 Million Stories; The Colour of Us by Linda Mackie Finley

In this 23-minute video interview, Halifax NS artist Linda Mackie Finley talks about her varied artistic interests and, more specifically, her piece 36 Million Stories; the Colour of Us. This 3-dimensional textile artwork is one of 33 successful entries in a national juried show sponsored by SAQA. The show can be seen from January 27 until February 27, 2021 at the StFX University Art Gallery in Antigonish, NS. It's well worth a drive to see it in person. 

Take note: A maximum of 4 visitors is permitted in each 30-minute time slot. Book your 30-minute visit time slot on the Gallery's site here.