Friday, December 26, 2014

Please explore with me the work of SARAH FINCHAM....

Picture


I have just discovered the beautiful, soulful art of Sarah Fincham - this photos is a piece of her original art... it has touched me. So reminds me of the many times I had to seek the advise and council of my older sister Patricia. This is a perfect piece really.... the temperament and  love is there.. and in black and white says so much that colour never could.
 
I will be following Sarah's work very closely now! Please do visit Sarah's blog here to discover for yourself the very special artwork she shares. The drawings are very meaningful... and I personally love her abstracts seen here.
 
You might like a peek at Sarah's  Etsy shop, too - here
 
Thanks Sarah, for a walk back to better times, and the love of a big sister. This is a great time of year to think about family and friends...sometimes your best friends are a part of your family.
 
Happy New Year everyone...
Bethany
 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Join me for a three-day CABIN FEVER WEEKEND at the Odesssa Fairgrounds, February 6-8, 2015

Cabin Fever Weekend returns to FIBREWORKS in 2015
Three Days - Three Workshops
Perfect for giving you a new start on projects in the new year...


DAY ONE: Friday, February 6, 2015 
"LINKED IN" 
* A day for quilters to come together and play
* Pattern provided and a comprehensive handout
* Supplies list provided with paid registration
* $50 workshop fee

QUILTERS TAKE NOTE - Friday's workshop is for YOU! Start the New Year off with a date to stitch and play and create a great quilt. You can even choose to do table runners or placemats instead of the quilt if you like - or a great tote bag for your quilt meetings.

A wonderful, easy to piece Challenge quilt I made with fabrics from my stash and a pattern designed to share, this quilt will be a fun gift for a friend, family member or even to have on your own bed. Beginners skills are all that is required...straight sewing and you will receive the cutting directions in advance of the play date...workshop so that you come with all of the parts cut before you arrive at the Odessa Hall. If this one doesn't say "summer is coming" and "cottage country" I don't know another project that will!

and...




DAY TWO: Saturday - February 7, 2015 
FLAT DYEING
* brilliant original fabrics created in such a fun way
* all dye and auxiliary supplies furnished
*  you need white cotton/linen/silk fabrics, pre-washed 
* supplies list provided with paid registration
$50 class fee includes dyes and comprehensive handout


NOTES: All of the fabrics for my RED SKY AT NIGHT piece above are flat dyed using a palette of the red, blue and yellow primaries in Procion MX Dyes that will be available to you at the workshop. 

By pouring the dyes across your fabric, laid flat on the table in front of you and moving the dye with your gloved hands, you will create a beautiful palette of 'ombre' colours  that you can combine for your new work.

I can't tell you how much fun this is - and YES you can attend the workshop day and use the dyes to do shibori pole wrapped pieces, folded and painted pieces using the dyes available or just "dip dye" a great palette of gradations to be used in quilts or fibre art projects. Just play with the dyes to do whatever YOU want to do...screen printing, dye painted cards, scarves - your choice. (and yes, I will have print paste available for you to add dyes to for screen work/direct painting of fabric)


 and....



DAY THREE : Sunday, February 8, 2015
 "Free Form Collage"

* Create one great, original piece in small or large format
*use a combination of your stash fabrics, and be inspired by nature/a photo you love
* experiment with fusibles, free form cutting by hand and layering for effect
* more inspiration will come from a collection of your favourite cloth bits and threads
* experiment with  fused applique, layering sheers and machine stitching
* supplies list provided with paid registration
* $50 class fee includes handout full of tips


Inspiration for my new collage work comes from the 'Group of Seven'

SPECIAL WEEKEND PRICING: 
$120 for all three days

at the Odessa Fairgrounds Hall
Odessa, ON
on Highway 6 in the Village
9:30 am - 5 pm
Brown Bag Lunch needed for all students
Break time treats and Coffee, tea and water provided

Registration is Open NOW

Please contact Bethany for your pdf Registration form

(or complete the registration form on the FIBREWORKS KINGSTON BLOG sidebar
 under CABIN FEVER WORKSHOPS)

http://fibreworkskingston.blogspot.ca

Your cheque should be payable to HERITAGE QUILTWORKS  CANADA
and mailed to
Bethany Garner
3275 Orser Road
Elginburg, ON K0H1M0 

Hoping you can join me for a great weekend of play and that you will bring a friend or two and really make a weekend of it - stitching, designing, dyeing, painting with dyes...  COME PLAY!!!

Contact Bethany at: garner@kingston.net
 or fibreworkskingston@gmail.com

Thursday, November 13, 2014

WINTER TERM at St. Lawrence College ... mark your calendar and come play! We all love to explore COLOUR!

COLOUR THE QUILT ARTISTS WAY...
Bethany Garner Instructor,  January 15- April 2, 2015



Our 2015 Winter Term St. Lawrence College course is all about exploring COLOUR-PLAY and enjoying the experience both together with classmates and in independent study.  Demonstrations, samples and hands-on study will include the use of contemporary techniques to illustrate the extensive exploration and updating of traditional processes used for centuries to colour fabric. 

Click here to register:  http://parttime.stlawrencecollege.ca/stlaw/course/course.aspx?C=80341&pc=2&mc=11&sc=233

Details:
Colour, the Quilt Artist's Way
Course Code: ARTS109Section: 860
Campus: KINGSTONInstructor: Bethany Garner
Date(s): 1/15/2015 - 4/2/2015.
Days of Week: Thursday evenings.   Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM 
Fee: $246.24Additional Notes: 
$35 materials fee due at first class
 


Course components include the development of personal inventories of colour samples created through the use of paints, dyes and other forms of colouration materials throughout the 12 weeks we will spend together in the classroom.. In class paint and dye work as well as use of colour wheel studies and building on the use of your personal stash of fabrics at home will take a thoroughly modern path. 


Machine work as well as hand stitch studies focusing on all new work are planned.  Students wishing to work within the guidelines of tradition may certainly work on quilt projects, and those who are brave enough to experiment may go one step farther to create new fabric in colors and dye patterns for use in their personal and original designs for art quilts and wall art or wearables.

One particular focus will be MODERN QUILT design and assembly techniques... using your designers eye to bring the fabrics you have in your stash to life as you develop all new wall and bed quilts that are lively, colourful and destined to be a delight for family and friends both at home and in exhibition opportunities.


We love to have all new students in the course, and welcome returning students wanting to work within the context of shared studio time with like-minded friends. Every student will benefit from the focused classroom creativity and shared techniques.


Visit the St. Lawrence College Part Time Studies Registration pages at www.SL.on.ca in early December to register. Your questions directly to me are most welcome: textiledesignslc@gmail.com

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Quilts=ART=Quilts now open at the SCHWEINFURTH MEMORIAL ART CENTER, Auburn NY...



Best of Show: CHAOS, Kit Vincent, Elizabethtown, ON


This past weekend I travelled to Auburn NY for the opening events surrounding the always stunning collection of contemporary art quilts on display at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Centre. The Art Centre is located in the finger-lakes region just west of Syracuse and the town beckons visitors all year long, with special exhibitions and wonderful art focused classes.
 
David Hornung and Kerr Grabowski were the Guest Instructors this last week at "QBL2". The Quilting by the Lake Studios fall classes at the Schweinfurth are always filled early, and the workshop results were wonderful to see.  I met Kerr during the walk through of the opening evening events... she is a delight! Walking through the galleries with her and hearing her take on the work in the show was a rare insight into the direction fibre art seems to be taking this year and for the future.
 
QUILTS=ART=QUILTS represents a stellar sharing of beautifully designed and executed art quilts submitted by well known artists from around the world, as well as NY area quilters. As the Opening Reception got underway, it was pure delight to be there as our friend and Kingston Fibre Artists Group member, KIT VINCENT, took the Best of Show Award for her "CHAOS" seen above. Kit was a prize recipient last year as well, and this year her quilt just happened to be hung front and centre as you enter the Gallery - under the Quilts=ART=Quilts banner. The magnificent quilt is 85" square and certainly makes a huge statement in colour, design and stitch expertise. So many congratulations to Kit.
 
Walking the exhibit with a multitude of the artists present is always inspiring, and each artist is more than willing to share his/her process, inspiration and studio focused style of working to achieve the level of expertise needed to be accepted into this great showing of contemporary fibre art.
 
Another treat was meeting KATHY LOOMIS who was both a part of the jurying panel along with VALARIE GOODWIN, but also the Prize juror. Kathy lives in Louisville, KY and was able to travel back to Auburn to not only be at the evening Opening Reception Saturday, but at the Sunday morning Brunch organized by the Schweinfurth staff to welcome the artists and friends and hear about Kathy's take on the whole process of jurying and her role as Prize Juror. Her matter of fact speaking style was a welcome break from the "art speak" so often found when jurors share their work and experiences around show entry selection and awarding of the prizes. Kathy shares some of her thoughts about the prize winning quilts at her blog here.

Canada did very well this year, as the First Prize Award went to JUDITH MARTIN of Manitoulin Island, ON for her amazing all wool and hand stitched quilt The Canadian Pioneer. Amazing and just so moving... what else can I say. This quilt represents Judy and her work so beautifully well... execution totally by hand, using found materials and building on Canada's history, the stories of those who walked before us and developing a story in each of her quilts that can be interpreted by each of her viewers in their own way. Congratulations to Judy...


The Canadian Pioneer, Judith e. Martin, Ontario
I haven't missed a trip to Quilts=ART=Quilts in years and while I have not submitted work to the exhibition since 2006, I am always inspired to think about what I could be working on that would be worthy of acceptance into the exhibition. Perhaps next year.

Please try to get to the show which runs through December at 255 Genessee St., Auburn. A very easy ride south on I81 off the Thousand Islands Bridge... take I90 west to Exit 40 and drive about 6 miles south into Auburn. Inn at the Finger Lakes is affordable for an overnight stay and the Springside Inn where brunch was held offers lovely accommodation as well... make a special trip of it and take a friend.

Monday, November 3, 2014

ARTIST CELLAR's Kaleidoscope Stencil Series from designer Cecilia Swatton launches and a set will be arriving in my studio soon...

From Lisa Chin's Blog post offering a Giveaway here - stunning  results

ARTIST CELLAR's all new stencil series designed by Cecelia Swatton was a gift offering from Lisa Chin and her friends on a recent blog hop. I left a comment and am so happy to hear that Cecilia's Artist Cellar Kaleidoscope Stencil Series will come into my studio in the near future.
 
Please visit the ARTIST CELLAR website here and learn all about their amazing product lines from  the very best of the best artist designers...

My notice this weekend while I was in Auburn for Quilts=ART=Quilts Opening:

Congratulations to Bethany Garner!

The winner of Cecilia Swatton's new line of Kaleidoscope Stencils from Artistcellar!
Bethany, check your email and send me your mailing address.

 
I have used Artist Cellar series stencils in my dye and paint work for years. They clean up just beautifully and are available in several sizes. You can see Lisa's blog post about her use of the Kaleidoscope stencils here and the pictures of her beautiful work. I follow her "Something Clever About Nothing" blog regularly and have learned so much from Lisa and her Printed Fabric Bee friends.
 
 
I always look for the Artist Cellar Stencils when we travel to the big quilt shows and you can order them online here: (please encourage your local Quilt/Art Supply shops to order them for you)

http://www.artistcellar.com/stampstencil/acSignatureSeries.html
 

    Thanks to Lisa Chin, Cecilia Swatton and ARTIST CELLAR for this terrific opportunity.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre presents "Celebrate the Seven" October 31-November 30th


I am please to have four pieces in the exhibit, and so encourage you to make time for a visit during the World of Threads month in Oakville.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Quilts to be included in new 1000 QUILT INSPIRATIONS publication from Quarry Press..... available Spring 2015

1000 Quilt Inspirations...

Colorful and Creative Designs for Traditional, Modern, and Art Quilts
1000 Quilt Inspirations
SANDRA SIDER, Author/Editor
Last fall I circulated an email to friends sharing a Call to Entry from SANDRA SIDER for her new book '1000 Quilt Inspirations' to be published by Quarry Press.... did you send your photos? I sent off two digital photos/details.

This week, I received an email from the Publisher stating that two of my quilts would be included in the publication, due out in spring 2015. Good fun being published and I hope to hear from many friends that their work too will be included. So far I have read that Carolyn McMillan from Toronto area is also in the book.

The selection process and pre-launch publicity are done and the book is listed at Amazon for pre-order. Here is a link to ordering directly from the publisher:
This is a "buy link" sent by the publishers of the book for your 'interest only'. No obligation.....

  
Quilts to be included are: MARKINGS  and |MARKINGS II created for Kingston Fibre Artists Exhibition 2013.
Markings II, Bethany Garner
Markings, Bethany Garner


Saturday, October 18, 2014

Another opportunity to share the magic of the 'CONNECTIONS Fibre Artists' Exhibition "Celebrate the Seven" through November in Oakville, ON

JOSHUA CREEK HERITAGE ART CENTRE in Oakville will be featuring the CONNECTIONS Fibre Artists Exhibition "Celebrate the Seven"during the month of November with the Opening November 2, 2014.

 
Upcoming Exhibition
Celebrate the Seven
October 31 - November 30
Opening Nov 2

Gallery Hours 

Tuesday through Sunday

1 pm to 4 pm

or by appointment


Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre
1086 Burnhamthorpe Road East, Oakville, Ontario Canada L6H 7B2
(1 km East of Trafalgar Road)
 
 The art of The Group Of Seven is the central theme of this exhibition. 
 
The members of Connections Fibre Artists accepted the challenge to design and execute their own original art that reflects their individual research into the artists, the paintings and the styles of the Group of Seven. Although Tom Thompson died before the group formed, he was the inspiration for, and has always been considered a part of, the formation of The Group Of Seven.
 
Each member of Connections Fibre Artists has approached this theme from her or his own way ~ either inspired by their own memories of the Canadian landscape, by an emotional response to a particular Group of Seven artist/painting, or by some of the techniques and colour palettes used by these iconic Canadian artists.
 
The result is an exciting and intriguing exhibition celebrating the approach that Tom Thompson, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, J.E.H. MacDonald, F.A. Farley, Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer and Franklin Carmichael 
took to develop an original Canadian art.
Connections Fibre Artists
The group was formed in 1999 by a small group of friends whose common bond was the love of stitching as an art form. Their focus was to promote awareness and enjoyment of fibre art through gallery shows. 
 
Their mandate was ‘Experience, Experimentation, Expression’. 
We combine our Experience with Experimentation to continue to develop and widen the boundaries of fibre art, creating original surfaces and Expressing our individual ideas and feelings in the process.
 
The CONNECTIONS Artists:
 
Wendy Anderson Breedveld, Sharron Begg, Penny Berens, Ralph Beney, Gordana Brelih, Bethany Garner, Dianne Gibson, Gunnel Hag, Pat Hertzberg, Helen Hughes, Linda Janzen, Chris Kummer, Frankie Lemonde-Meunier, Elizabeth Duggan Litch, Hilary Rice, Sybil Rampen, Gail Rhynard, Ann Sanders, Maggie Vanderweit Meredith, Jacqueline Venus, Dwayne Wanner, Jennie Wood, Nancy Yule
 

Visit links to a video of the work in situ at Wellington County Museum in June 2014 here and art piece photos here 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

'It is so hard to slow down to the pace where it is possible to explore one's mind.' Agnes Martin, from her "Writings"...

* Learning to weave with members of the Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners Guild. Loving it. I NEED A Floor LOOM! 36" or 45" Jack or Counter Balance. Do you know of a good one, used but loved, for sale or gifted giving? Keep me in mind. Contact garner@kingston.net





* Heading to Ottawa for a SAQA Regional Meeting October 21st .. details here  Everyone welcome, but only 16 can attend due to available seating in the room we are using.

* Making ART for the next CONNECTIONS Fibre Artists Show. Designed to be the required 18" square. Time consuming. All laid threads, couched, hand stitch.

* Preparing for St. Lawrence College Course that I hope will run November 5-26th - come join me. GROW, PLAY, LEARN. CREATE. Details in post below at this site.

* Keeping up with recovery from wrist fracture is tedious and hard work. Nerve damage to my left hand and arm means strengthening exercises be done all day long. OT's are great to know. Finally, help is on the way.

* Missing important meetings due to schedule conflicts... many places to be, all at the same time. Miss seeing friends. Important friends. Today, KFA and QUILTS KINGSTON  2015 missed.

* Life moves fast as we get older...spend each day wisely and well! Make ART!

Saturday, September 27, 2014

INNOVATION STUDIO II in the fall 2014 course line-up, St. Lawrence College - November 5-26th.... Room 00060, Kingston Campus

Fabric painting, collage and assembly. Hand and machine stitch

 Innovation Studio 2: Find Your Creative Edge....  

As you learn a multitude of creative techniques for combining paint and collage, your focus will be on the back-and-forth play of spontaneity and intention that characterizes the creative process.

Learn to trust your inner art “voice” while exploring color and composition; free your artistic skills by facing your inner critic; and find your creative edge by pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone. 

In these four evenings in the classroom working with print, creative collage with a variety of playful objects and painting we offer you: a greater confidence in your expressive capabilities; new skills and techniques for creating art that is your own; the courage to break through creative blocks; and a set of practices for keeping your creative skills honed. 

While experienced artists will benefit from this workshop, beginners are very welcome. The techniques involved are accessible, and everyone can work at their own level. 

Register at Student Services, St. Lawrence College, 613-544-5400, ext. 60

or online at www.SL.on.ca here

(Click on Part Time Studies, Kingston Campus, Arts, Fibre... )

Hope you will join me for four fun-filled Wednesday evenings where you will be able to create all new work on paper, canvas, fabric or another choice of medium YOU enjoy. Use this opportunity to be among friends and enjoying using our large and bright classroom to PAINT, PRINT and COLLAGE in anticipation of holiday gifting, upcoming exhibitions or just for fun!

Information: Bethany Garner, Instructor  textiledesignslc@gmail.com

Courses are difficult to fill this fall at local Community Colleges...busy schedules - a sign of the times, or is the economy affecting every aspect of our lives?

Japanese Boro Textile, 1901, Part of a bedding collection
So Fall 2014 is here, officially... and that usually means a lot of preparation for classes at St. Lawrence College. Not so much this fall, and I still am wondering if that is a blessing or very sad news. The TEXTILE ART: History, Diversity and Technique course had seven eager students registered - but a NO GO as the college requires a minimum of NINE students to run their courses.

Of course I am disappointed - not for me, but because four of the seven were all new to the Program, and that is an awesome and very welcome opportunity for any College Program. The timing or the topic??? Textile art history is seen as a whatever type of subject today..but you missed the study of BORO Textiles - hoping you will do a bit of personal research and develop the same love of these heritage Japanese textiles that I have.

I am hoping that by canceling the course we have not totally discouraged these students from joining in on the fun, the collegiality and the camaraderie of being in the classroom with other like-minded students and new friends. Our Textile Design Program is one of only three in Canada offering students 10 courses toward a diploma. Our graduates have gone on to make their way in the world of exhibition, design development, travel to teach and certainly successful sales of their work.
  
Boro Kimono, 1909, private collection

THANK YOU to the seven students who registered, and I so hope you will watch the College Website and join us again when a course that meets your academic needs is posted. I welcome your contact at textiledesignslc@gmail.com and hope to see you again soon!

Watch the website here for news of winter courses I will be sharing both at St. Lawrence College and on my own at Odessa Fairgrounds, sponsored by FIBREWORKS KINGSTON.

Bethany
Professor, Textile Design

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Plan to join us for 12 consecutive Thursday evenings beginning September 18th... so much to learn and FRIENDS to enjoy!

ST. LAWRENCE COLLEGE - Kingston Campus

TEXTILE ART: History, Diversity and TECHNIQUES
Fall Term 2014, St. Lawrence College, Kingston Campus  6-9 pm
Thursday evenings, September 18- December 4, 2014, Room 00060
BORO Textile, Japan 1909
So you see the Course title and think “Oh, no… a canned and dry history course”. ABSOLUTELY NOT! This 12-week independent study course is all about finding a focus for your new work in textile art.
Do you love the BORO Textiles created from found materials in Japan at the start of the 20th Century? The hugely diverse and colourful Indonesian hand stitched embroideries and woven foundation cloth? Have you studied the textile history of the countries your family originated from before immigrating to Canada? The world of textile is rich in history and this course will take you on a bit of a world tour decided by the student body as they join in at class each week. A 12 week world tour as we share personal ties to textiles we love and play with many diverse techniques in class! And, a “stash busting” opportunity for you.
Printmaking from Gell Plate, Netherlands 2009
Yes, there will be one great project required from each student! Your choice… and lots of experimentation with colouring cloth, threads and developing a modern take on laying stitch to cloth. Plan to be a part of the classroom fun, making new friends as you join our community of lovers of all things CLOTH! Hope to see returning students and many new to textile in the classroom this fall – traditions to love, passed along.

Bethany Garner, Instructor textiledesignslc@gmail.com or garner@kingston.net


Instructor Biography:
Bethany Garner is a working Textile Artist and long term Instructor in the Textile Design Program at St. Lawrence College. With over 20 years of experience in the painting, dyeing and direct application of fabric embellishment/stitch, Bethany will guide the students to a new and confident start on their own studio based work to create contemporary textiles with an original and focused Fibre Art Foundation.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Bethany Garner's Art Quilts traveling to venues across North America...

Fibre Content
124 juried works by 80 artists

Tuesday, September 9 to Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Art Gallery of Burlington
1233 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington ON
Mon - Thu:  9am to 10pm
Fri & Sat:  9am to 5pm
Sun:  noon to 5pm

for directions, parking & other info click here

Meet the Artists reception:
Sunday, September 14th  1pm - 3pm
full catalogue $5
 
Summer Breezes, Bethany Garner

Emma Quinn, Executive Director, Craft Ontario
Virginia Eichhorn, Director and Chief Curator, Tom Thomson Art Gallery
Sandra Dupret, Dean/Principal, Fleming College, Haliburton Campus
__________________________________________________________________________
                  
                                           
Le Desserts- Let Us Feed The World, Bethany Garner
SAQA
25th Anniversary Trunk Show

Trunk D
including
"Le Desserts - Let Us Feed The World"
is now showing at:

Burke Arts Council
115 E. Meeting St.
Morganton, North Carolina
 
until September 19, 2014

for directions, maps & other info click here
                   
                           
                                           
                  
 
    

Threadworks 2013: Waterwill be at the
Arthur Child Heritage Museum
125 Water St.
Gananoque, Ontario


September 12 - October 31, 2014
for location and hours click here      
Please  do try to get to the THREADWORKS Exhibition while it is in Gananogue, just a short ride from Kingston. The exhibit will be a stunning reminder of all that is beautiful along our Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River and Lake Country areas in and around South Central Ontario.


______________________________________________________________________________

KINGSTON FIBRE ARTISTS
"Inspiration and Exploration" Exhibition
August 29-September 24th, 2014
Kingston Public Library
130 Johnson Street
2nd Floor Foyer and Wilson Room Gallery
Kingston, ON
 

DARKNESS, Pine Rack in Ontario, Bethany Garner 2014


INTO THE BOG, Bethany Garner 2014


REFUGE (as it hangs at the Library) Bethany Garner 2014
 

Please contact Bethany for more information: garnerATkingston.net

Saturday, August 9, 2014

KINGSTON FIBRE ARTISTS preparing to share their new work at Show and Sale Opening August 29th... Come See!

             
       
                              Our annual KINGSTON FIBRE ARTISTS SHOW is scheduled for                     
              August 29 - September 24, 2014
  
Opening Reception, September 4, 2014  6:30-8:30 pm
 Kingston and Frontenac Public Library
   Central Branch, 130 Johnson Street
   613-549-8888
 We will be in both the Wilson Room and the Foyer!

Hoping you will join us for our upcoming Show and Sale of Fine Art -Textiles.

Artists Walk and Talk will be held Saturday, September 13, 2014 which offers you a wonderful opportunity to meet our artists, talk about their inspiration, techniques and learn more about our professional artist members who have chosen fibre as their medium.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Bethany Garner joins friends and arts colleagues in this special Exhibition in September 2014... please enjoy with us!


September 9, 2014 – September 16, 2014
Location: Lee-Chin Family Gallery
ART GALLERY OF BURLINGTON
Juried Exhibition of Fibre Art
This exhibition will display 124 fibre art quilts and mixed media works by 80 artists from across Ontario from the following groups:
Studio Art Quilts Associates (SAQA)
Grand Guild of Fibre Artists
Burlington Fibre Arts
Oakville Fibre Artists
Connections Fibre Artists
Group of Eight Fibre Artists
Burlington Handweavers & Spinners Guild
Burlington Hooking Craft Guild
 
Admission is Free
 
A full colour catalogue of all works will be available for $5.
 
Get the full experience by purchasing a keepsake catalogue of all pieces with artist statement details and promotional discounts at local fabric, bead and wool stores.

 
Summer Breezes, Bethany Garner
 

The Jurors for Fibre Content 2014

  
Emma Quin
Executive Director
Ontario Crafts Council
Virginia Eichhorn
Director & Chief Curator
Tom Thomson Art Gallery

Sandra Dupret
Dean/Principal, Fleming College
Haliburton Campus
 
 
For more information http://www.fibrations.org/
Image: I Gotta Crow – Albert Cote

Monday, July 28, 2014

St. Lawrence College Campus, Fall Term, 2014 welcomes YOU to join us...

TEXTILE ART: History, Diversity and TECHNIQUES
Fall Term 2014, St. Lawrence College, Kingston Campus  6-9 pm
Thursday evenings, September 18- December 4, 2014, Room 00060
BORO Textile, Japan 1909
So you see the Course title and think “Oh, no… a canned and dry history course”. ABSOLUTELY NOT! This 12-week independent study course is all about finding a focus for your new work in textile art.
Do you love the BORO Textiles created from found materials in Japan at the start of the 20th Century? The hugely diverse and colourful Indonesian hand stitched embroideries and woven foundation cloth? Have you studied the textile history of the countries your family originated from before immigrating to Canada? The world of textile is rich in history and this course will take you on a bit of a world tour decided by the student body as they join in at class each week. A 12 week world tour as we share personal ties to textiles we love and play with many diverse techniques in class! And, a “stash busting” opportunity for you.
Printmaking from Gell Plate, Netherlands 2009
Yes, there will be one great project required from each student! Your choice… and lots of experimentation with colouring cloth, threads and developing a modern take on laying stitch to cloth. Plan to be a part of the classroom fun, making new friends as you join our community of lovers of all things CLOTH! Hope to see returning students and many new to textile in the classroom this fall – traditions to love, passed along.

Bethany Garner, Instructor textiledesignslc@gmail.com or garner@kingston.net

Friday, July 4, 2014

Keeping busy as the summer of 2014 passes... minor stumbling blocks in the way!

Belonging to a Fibre Arts Group can be an amazing and fulfilling experience for a textile and stitching enthusiast. I happen to be lucky enough to belong to five... The Kingston Fibre Artists Group since 1996, CONNECTIONS Fibre Artists Group since the fall of 2013 and SAQA (Studio Art Quilts Associates) since 2005. I am also a member of the Cataraqui Guild of Needle Arts and The Ontario Network of Needleworkers... though less active in both this past year for many reasons including commitments to the first three mentioned here.

Each group has it's own special style and as SAQA is an International Association, being an active member is solely up to each individual. I chose to volunteer as a Regional Representative for the Central Canada Region in 2011. This job has been both exciting and a challenge, as I have had to learn MUCH about managing the Blog Administrator's role for our Region. The best part of the role is the contact I have with all of the multi-talented Artist members in our Ontario and Quebec Region. It is joy to be able to provide support and encouragement to the members as they develop their own place in the art world.

Newly retired this past fall, I have had a minuscule amount of newly free time to create art and am still hopeful that the rest of the year affords opportunities for creating more pieces for my body of work. I recently had an accident at home resulting in a fractured wrist, and that is a set back I could have lived without as I so looked forward to gardening, lots of travel and creative workshops this summer.

I am certainly blessed to have great acquaintances and contacts to support my artistic needs, and some have been really helpful as I work though this latest setback. I am heading to a great Workshop Series at QUILTING BY THE LAKE at Onondaga College near Syracuse next week, and will be studying with the renowned TERRY JARRARD DIAMOND in her week long workshop "LINE AS LANGUAGE".

If all goes well, my Surface Design and Stitch course will run at St. Lawrence College July 21-25, 2014. So looking forward to sharing time with new and returning students.

In August I travel to the AQS Show in Grand Rapids, Michigan and hope to see the two great SAQA Exhibitions at my Alma Mater, Michigan State University where there are two Galleries on campus hosting the SAQA Shows "Color Wheel of Emotions" and Earth Stories".

FIBREWORKS KINGSTON is a major  focus for me as the summer moves to fall and the start of our 35th Series of Weekend Workshops. The details are all available at our blog www.fibreworkskingston.blogspot.ca . I hope that you will take time to visit the blog and be introduced though detailed information on the right sidebar at the blog to each of our outstanding Guest Instructors for 2014-15: MAGGIE VANDERWEIT MEREDITH, a very talented designer and Instructor of Fergus, ON; LYNNE MORIN, Ottawa based artist and Coach/Instructor; HOLLY DEAN, renowned multi-media artist from Merrickville, ON and DIANNE GIBSON, commission/exhibition artist from Fonthill, ON.

If you would like a pdf copy of the FIBREWORKS Weekend Workshops Brochure for 2014-15, email me at fibreworkskingston@gmail.com

Have a great summer... see you along the way. MAKE TIME FOR CREATING ART!
Bethany