Cris Winters Has Work in Two Shows

"Winter Air"
January 18, 2014 - April 27, 2014
VIEW at Old Forge, NY
http://www.viewarts.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=173:winterair&Itemid=182
Cris' two pieces are "Fresh Snow I" and "Fresh Snow II".

"Abstraction"
January 24, 2014 - February 23, 2014

Bluseed Studios, Saranac Lake, NY

http://bluseedstudios.org/calendar/abstraction/
Cris' piece is titled "Flow".

Tamar Drucker Exhibits with the Israeli Quilters Association

Tamar Drucker participated in a group show of the Israeli Quilters Association in Houston: "Jerusalem and its Many Faces". 

Here are photos of her work from that exhibit:

Brenda Schlecter - Artist in Residence at Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg

Brenda has been wintering in Florida and keeping busy with her fiber art but her big news is that she has become the artist in residence at the St. Petersburg Ronald McDonald House. 

Each week Brenda makes a 12" house quilt that will be hung in one of the 65 residence rooms. Brenda invites the children to collaborate with her to make these colorful and cartoon-like quilts. The children help to decide the fabric selection for each element (sky, grass, house, roof, windows and door), sometimes by majority vote.  Brenda sews and does the majority of the cutting.  One day as many as seven children worked with Brenda!

Here are some of the collaborative quilts:

Helene Kusnitz Has A Quilt On Exhibit

The Art of Play Exhibition

The Lazarus Gallery at United Hebrew of New Rochelle

November 17, 2013 – March 14, 2014 

United Hebrew, 391 Pelham Road, New Rochelle, NY 10805

Here is Helene's piece, titled "Three in a Row":

Call for Entries - Shared by Sandra Sider

Calling all quilters and quilt artists! Do you design with quilt blocks or make small, dynamic art quilts that would inspire others?  We want to see your work for possible publication! Quarry Books is publishing 1000 Quilt Inspirations: Colorful and Creative Designs for Traditional, Contemporary and Art Quilts in book format, for which we invite you to submit images via this link: http://submissions.rockpaperink.com/1000-quilt-inspirations/

We seek your interpretations of old favorites as well as original designs by you. Sandra Sider, quilt curator and artist, will select the winning designs.  There is no entry fee or limit on the number of submissions you may send. DEADLINE: Feb. 15, 2014.

Hi Everyone,

A big Thank You to those who have already sent in your survey responses!!! We've had some great input through the survey we sent out in November but we are hoping to hear from more of you. Please take the time to give us your feedback so we can be more proactive in making sure your membership experience is everything you want it to be.

We are posting the survey here and will also provide it in an email again. Looking forward to receiving your thoughts and ideas for the NY region!

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SAQA NY Region Member Survey

1.  How long have you been a member of Studio Art Quilt Associates?

2.  During that time, what have you gained through your membership?

3.  Have you ever attended a SAQA Conference?

4.  Have you ever been at the PAM (Professional Artist Member) level? If not, are you planning to make a portfolio according to SAQA guidelines?

5.  Briefly describe what you do with your finished art quilts. For example, do you exhibit at quilt and/or art shows? Does a gallery sell your work? Do you take commissions? Do you currently do none of these, but hope to? Or, are you content just doing your own thing?

6.  Do you teach? If so, would you be willing to give a presentation?

7.  Do you have difficulty finding information about upcoming art quilt events?

8.  Do you think a regional SAQA “newsletter” would be helpful?

9.  Do you belong to any quilt or art related email list serves, such as Quiltart?

10. Would you be able to attend meetings held in our region?

11. Do you usually attend any large (perhaps national/international) quilt shows/festivals that are held within our region where might organize a meeting? (These shows are sometimes more traditional, but it’s probably a convenient meeting location.)

12. Would you be interested in attending a meeting where one or more current SAQA members, preferably a PAM from our region or adjoining region, would bring their portfolio and discuss how it was put together? 

• Are you a current PAM available to do this?
• Can you suggest a current PAM who might be willing to do this?

13.  Would you be interested in a workshop covering the business aspects of art quilting; record keeping, taxes, licenses, etc.? Can you suggest a quilt artist (or other artist) who might be willing to do this?

14.  Would you be interested in a program about the marketing of art quilts? Can you suggest a quilt artist who might be willing to do this?

15.  Would you be interested in a workshop on a topic related to making art quilts, including surface design, perhaps taught by a SAQA member? Can you suggest an art quilter who lives in the region who is a great teacher (include contact information, if possible)?

16.  Can you suggest a location in our region where we could organize a workshop?

17.  Please tell us any other suggestions you have.

Send Us Your News!

Hi Everyone,

Time to share your 2014 news and updates! We'd love to hear what you've been doing with your fiber work and if you have any upcoming exhibits. Please send Lori (lorilight808@gmail.com) your latest news and we will post it on the blog.

In the meantime, wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year, filled with creative inspiration.

Lori

SAQA NY Region Survey Enclosed - We Want To Hear From You!

Hi Everyone,

Check your email boxes! Gilda and I have sent you a survey in order to learn a bit more about you, the NY Region members. We want to understand what you currently get out of your SAQA membership that you feel is beneficial and also welcome any suggestions you have for us about enhancing the membership experience.

Please send your responses in a Word or Pages attachment or directly within an email--whatever method is easiest for you, to lorilight808@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to give us your feedback. We look forward to hearing from you!

Your NY SAQA Co-reps,

Lori Light
Gilda Hecht

Quilts=Art=Quilts Exhibit opened yesterday, October 27th, at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, NY, and runs through January 5, 2014. Read more about it here:
http://www.schweinfurthartcenter.org/exhibits/current.html

Helene Kusnitz has a piece in the Long Island Craft Guild's show Feast or Famine

The piece (shown below) is a quilt called So Many Flowers. 

You can see more of Helene’s work on her website: www.helenekusnitz.com

An Introduction to Your New NY Co-Reps

Hello Everyone,

As you may have heard, Gilda Hecht and I are your new SAQA NY co-representatives. 

What follows is a bit of information about Gilda, in her own words:

“I have been quilting since 1975, when as a volunteer in the local elementary school, I was asked to work with the third graders on a bi-centennial quilt. I had made a reputation as a sewing person and instead of being a reading or math helper, I had the children design and create individual blocks representing Long Island. It was a success and I was hooked.

I proceeded to learn as much as possible about the craft and was taught the basics from whatever sources were then available.

I then progressed to Quilting by the Lake, and became more immersed in quilting than I would have thought possible.    

There was a local quilting organization, Long Island Quilters that I also joined as well as the LI chapter of the EGA. In addition I am a member of the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework and a small art quilt group, Signature Art Quilters.  

Quilting has become a major passion in my life. It carries with it storage problems, time loss, and some frustration, but I love it. With the passing of my sweet husband two years ago it has kept me vital and happy, if one can say that.”

And as for me:

Under her watchful eye, my Nana put a needle and thread in my hands when I was five. By the time I was twelve, I’d saved enough babysitting money to purchase my first sewing machine, a Brother™ Straight Stitch for $60. During my high school and college years I was sewing my own garments. 

My mom was a painter, working in oils and pastels. In my late teens and early twenties I, too, painted in oils. Over time, I grew tired of the need to constantly wash brushes and deal with the storage and safety issues of linseed oil and turpentine. So I turned to fabric and thread and never looked back. That was nearly thirty years ago.

Quilting combines my love of sewing and passion for creating art and is as necessary to me as breathing.

My work reflects my response to life experiences, events and feelings--sometimes whimsical, sometimes serious. 

Happily distracted by bright, shiny objects, my abstract quilts almost always contain beads and metallic thread; I sometimes think I quilt as an excuse to work with glass beads. I love the feel of them as I work them into a design and the resulting texture and color enhancement of the finished piece. I am a cartoonist and that imagery has also found its way into some of my quilts. 

Please feel free to contact me at lorilight808@gmail.com with any art quilt-related news that you would like shared with the NY membership via this blog.

We are very excited to be able to serve as NY representatives and welcome any and all comments and ideas from you, the NY members. 

Your SAQA NY co-reps,

Lori Light 

Gilda Hecht

Sally Dutko Exhibit September 15 - November 10

Sally Dutko will have a solo exhibit called "Fabric Journey" at the beautiful Sheldrake Winery Tasting Room on Seneca Lake. Works from the beginning her fabric explorations, as well as many created in the last year will be shown in a wonderful, large and new tasting room overlooking Seneca Lake.

The reception is Saturday, Sept. 21 from 3:00—6:00.  Exhibit dates are September 15—November 10, 2013.

Sheldrake on Seneca is located in Hector, NY at 5930 Route 414. For directions visit their website: www.sheldrakepoint.com/tasting-rooms

Aid for Sandy Victims until September 15, 2013

Martha Sielman has asked that I forward information on aid for those who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Relief for those who live in the five borough area of NYC is available through NYFA.

Pat Pauly

Here is more information.

New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) has announced they've received additional funding to continue providing awards through their Emergency Relief Fund. Artists are urged to apply to NYFA by September 15th for priority review. Funds are limited. Eligible artists can be working in any discipline, but must reside in one of the five boroughs of New York City. Review NYFA’s emergency relief guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at: http://relieffund.nyfa.org. CERF+ continues providing assistance to craft artists affected by Hurricane Sandy, as well as other disasters, on an ongoing basis. We encourage craft artists to apply for our emergency relief grants, loans, and in-kind assistance. Please see our Sandy-related resources and ouremergency relief information.

Judy Warner's Works on View

Two of Judy Warner's pieces, Ice Flow (shown above) and Keeping Perspective (shown below),were selected by the Professional Art Quilters Alliance-South in their 10th International Juried Exhibit: ARTQUILTSwater. They will be shown at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center in Cary, North Carolina from January 24 to March 24, 2013.

Judith Plotner Exhibits at Visions Gallery

Judith Plotner's work Urban Vibrations will be included in the upcoming exhibition at Visions Art Museum, 2825 Dewey Road, San Diego, California. It is painted canvas and measures 47 high by 49 wide. Opening reception is October 20 from 5:00 to 7:00 in the evening. For more information visit www.visionsartmuseum.org.

Sally Dutko in Ithaca Art Trail Open Studio

Sally Dutko will be featured in the Ithaca Art Trail Open Studio Weekends Saturday and Sunday, October 6 – 7, and 13-14, each day 11-5. Her art quilts, soft sculptures, and mixed-media collages created from painted and dyed fabrics will be on view at her studio located at 19 Stormy View Rd. off Hillcrest Rd. just north of the Mall (the Shops at Ithaca). The website at www.ArtTrail.com has the detailed map of the 47 working artists (and their creative environments) in and around Ithaca, New York.

News from Members

Judy Warner's piece show above "Overwhelm" will be shown in the North West Quilting Expo in Portland, Oregon this September 20-22.

Pat Pauly's work "Genesee" was on view during the Greentopia Festival in Rochester, New York September 11 - 16. Measuring 12' x 24', it mimics the Genesee Falls and is made of weather proof nylon and plastic that was recycled.

Ithaca Parlor Meeting = Great Discussion

Judy Warner shares her work with 18 SAQA New York members in a parlor meeting hosted by Aafke Steenhuis in Ithaca, New York today. After a round of show and tell, and filling lunch and dessert (thanks, again, Aafke) we had a great discussion on topics from "What do you call yourself?" to "Name some events you would like SAQA NY to organize."

Organized by Jeanne Simpson and Pat Pauly, the meeting offered a chance to connect to other artists and garner how the medium of art quilts differs and compares to other fields of art. It was a great day. Above, Marcia DeCamp is hidden behind her "Icicles" work.

SAQA NY Gathering in Ithaca

Come join us!

SAQA NY Meeting

September 22, 2012

11am - 3 pm

Aafek Steenhuis's home

224 Bostwick Road

Ithaca, NY 14850

Get acquainted with fellow SAQA artists, show your latest creation, enjoy informal discussions and share tips of the trade. Plan some extra time in Ithaca to enjoy the wonderful scenery and shopping and get inspired by Ithaca's surroundings.

Please let us know if you plan to attend. We would love to see you there.

Your SAQANY co-reps,

Jeanne Simpson
jsimpso3@gmail. com


Pat Pauly
pat@patpauly.com

News from Nancy Hicks

Nancy Hicks is one of six quilt artists exhibiting at the Earlville Opera House Art Center at 18 East Main Street, Earlville, NewYork. The pieces she is exhibiting are below.