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| Best of Show: CHAOS, Kit Vincent, Elizabethtown, ON
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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...
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| The Canadian Pioneer, Judith e. Martin, Ontario |
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.
