News - Penny Berens (Granville Ferry, NS)

Penny Berens has a piece in a show entitled Synthesis II. It is described as a unified and yet dynamically diverse traveling exhibit that combines the work of 16 Canadian members of Studio Art Quilt Associates. It was organized by members of the Central Canada region of SAQA. The show can be seen at Ben Franklin Place in Ottawa from July 26 - August 21, 2013.

Interesting link from Susan Tilley (Lunenburg, NS)

Here's a link to a free "taster" of Workshop on the Web (WoW), which is an on-line magazine devoted to fibre art, run by Maggie Grey. As part of their current subscription drive they are offering free, limited-time access to a series of online "workshops" that seem quite interesting. You can check them out here in pdf format.

Also, anyone who subscribes now gets a free book.

I received this information from a fibre artist friend who is a long-time subscriber of WoW and am passing it along in case you are not aware of the resource.

It was a treat to meet you all last month!

Trunk Show page updated

The Trunk Show page has been updated with images of the 21 pieces in the SAQA-Atlantic trunk show. The photographs do not do justice to the complexity of the surfaces of any of the pieces. The trunk show format allows viewers to handle each work of art and to carefully examine and appreciate the artists' intent and skill.

Contact the Nova Scotia or New Brunswick coordinator to bring the trunk show to your community.

SAQA members exhibit in Art Hits the Wall - Kaleidoscopes

Art Hits the Wall - an exhibit of art quilts and hooked rugs opened last night at the Acadia Art Gallery in Wolfville.  The show contains 25 quilts and 13 hooked pieces. The theme is Kaleidoscopes so there is lots of wonderful color and intricate work. It is intriguing to see a single theme through the eyes of many talented artists.

Nine SAQA members have work in the show: Lois Bowden, Heather Loney, Regina Marzlin, Linda Mills, Christine Nielsen, Fiona Oxford, Anne Morrell Robinson, Susan Tilsley Manley and Debbie Vermeulen. Many of them were present at the opening.

The show continues at the Acadia University gallery through August 4. It will then travel to Port Mouton, Syndey, Amherst and Yarmouth. Click here for details of the schedule.

The Acadia Art Gallery is hosting workshops in conjunction with this exhibit. You can find a poster that describes the classes here.

Regina Marzlin, Fiona Oxford and Heather Loney at AHTW opening. On the walls behind them (L to R) is work by Regina Marzlin, Christine Nielsen, Susan Manley and Debbie Vermeulen

SAQA-Atlantic Members Participate in Quotes, Quarks & Quiddity Exhibit

SAQA Atlantic members Penny Berens and Grace Butland will have work on display in the Quirks, Quarks and Quiddity exhibition at ARTsPlace in Annapolis Royal from July 7- 28.

The two fibre artists participated in a 13-week discussion series on Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, beginning in January 2012. The diverse group was made up of a couple of full-time artists and several part-time writers and artists whose “day jobs” leave limited time for artistic pursuits. “Working as an artist is not a group thing,” said Penny. “I often feel isolated, and so when I heard about the Artist’s Way group I jumped at the opportunity of spending time with fellow artists.”

When the series ended, the group had formed strong bonds and didn’t want to end the process. One member suggested that they plan a joint exhibition for the summer of 2013. Other meetings and discussions followed, and the idea of Quotes, Quarks and Quiddity was born.

“This exhibition is taking most of us out of our comfort zone,” said Grace. “We are each creating a 7-foot panel of translucent fabric, onto which we have somehow imposed an image – through paint, stitch or writing – that speaks of our individual quiddity, that special something that makes each of us who we are. We have also jointly created some banners that reflect our group personality.

Quotes, Quarks and Quiddity will open with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, in the Chapel Gallery at ARTsPlace, 396 St. George Street in Annapolis Royal. The public is invited; there is no admission charge.

by Penny Berens

by Grace Butland

Regional meeting

On June 21 fourteen members from two provinces attended the spring meeting of SAQA-Atlantic.
Among the topics discussed was the blog, the regional trunk show and a second regional show. Regina Marzlin was confirmed as the curator of that show which will be juried and use 'Structures' as a theme. The group is now consulting with respect to the selection of a juror.

We also decided to have a fall retreat for members in the region. Susan Tilsley Manley will develop a program for the event.

Check out brand new member Jennifer Scantlebury Vienneau's blog entry about her first regional meeting. Jennifer officially joined SAQA the night before and we're glad she did. She was the first of many to volunteer at the meeting. Her energy will be directed to helping keep this blog updated and useful to its members and readers.

Announcement - Trunk show available to groups

Members of SAQA-Atlantic have put together a trunk show which represents the diversity of techniques and styles which they use in their work as art quilters. Each piece is 8 x 8 inches and is presented in a 12 x 12 inch mat. Clear presentation envelopes protect the artwork and permit it to be handled safely.

The trunk show is available to travel to meetings of quilt guilds and other interested groups. A SAQA member can accompany the show to make a presentation regarding art quilts and SAQA.

To book the show, please contact:

In Nova Scotia                            Heather Loney
In New Brunswick/PEI               Nancy Elaschuk

Check out the Trunk Show page. Images of the show and accompanying artist statements will be posted there within a week.