Category Archives: Events

OWG Hosted the 2013 COE in Spinning

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The Handweavers Guild of America (HGA) offers certification in fiber arts: Weaving, Spinning, Dyeing, and Basketry.  Application who pass the rigorous requirements receive a Certificate of Excellence (COE) in their chosen field.  There are two levels of certification: the first requires proficiency in the basic arts, and the second, Master of Specialized Study, requires a focused, specialized study. An overview of the program can be found at http://weavespindye.org/pages/coeoverview.html.

Olympia Weavers Guild was privileged to host the 2013 COE in Spinning.  This year, applicants included one in Level 1 and two in Level 2.  The program involves a registrar, who assembles the submitted work for review by two examiners.  The process is overseen by two representatives from HGA.  The OWG chairperson was Lana Schneider, who generously offered her own studio as the site for the examination, which took three days: one to assemble the team and the work, and two intense days of judging and documenting the process.  Several members served as scribes, assisting the examiners in documenting the findings, and other members provided food for the committee and lodging for the HGA representatives and examiners.

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Examiner Jane Fournier and Scribe Terri Standley

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Examiner Judith MacKenzie and Scribe Kathy

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2013 COE in Handspinning Committee – Examiners Judith MacKenzie and Jane Fournier, Registrar Kate Jantz-Koprivnik and Chair Lana Schneider

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Examiners Jane Fournier and Judith MacKenzie

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Photos by Sandra Swarbrick, HGA.

Mary Ann Sanborn, the other HGA representative, gave a very interesting presentation at the October Guild Meeting on Shaker textiles.

Both of the Level II submissions were accepted, and the applicants were announced on the HGA website, and in an upcoming issue of Shuttle, Spindle, and Dyepot Magazine.

Janice Arnold: Palace Yurt at Evergreen Gallery

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Janice Arnold gave a presentation to the Guild a couple years ago. For another look at her work, be sure to visit the Evergreen State College Gallery for this exhibit:

Evergreen Gallery
Palace Yurt: Deconstructed
by Janice Arnold
Opening reception: Thursday October 10, 2013, 5-7 pm
Exhibition continues through December 11, 2013
Artist lecture:  Wednesday November 20, 11:30-1:00, Lecture Hall 1
Evergreen alumna Janice Arnold’s art and installation work has been redefining the boundaries of handmade FELT for more than 10 years. Her massive installation, Palace Yurt, a contemporary translation of traditional Mongolian structures, was the centerpiece of the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum’s 2009 Fashioning Felt exhibition in New York.
Palace Yurt: Deconstructed gives visitors a rare look behind the scenes of this groundbreaking work of textile art, including many pieces from the original installation. See how it all came together, from inspiration to logistics and technical drawings, the raw materials to the full artistic vision.
Gallery hours TBD, please check web site after Oct. 8
Evergreen Gallery - Library 2204 | 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW | Olympia, Washington 98505 www.evergreen.edu/gallery | (360) 867-5125

Beach Grass Trip

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Hi Bill

Can you share this with the Guild members who might be interested ? Lois Thadei, Olympia

Dear Olympia Weavers Guild Members:

OK, my Aleut basket weavers. It’s beach grass getting’ time again. Hooray. This is the traditional grasses I harvest every spring for weaving. You are invited to join me.

If you’ve been weaving with the waxed linen following our presentation last month for the Oly Weavers Guild you can join me. If you wish to continue your weaving using the traditional wild grasses, this is the last time I will be sharing a wild grass harvest session.

Hopefully you can make it.

How it Works:

Let me know if you are coming, so I can expect you. aleutwoman@comcast.net leave me your name, e-mail, phone including cell phone.

We meet at Trader Joe’s parking lot at the 2nd exit to left on Highway 101 just N of I-5 in Olympia, WA.

May 26, 2013 8 AM.

On the coast it will probably be blustery, blistering hot, colder than heck, sunny, rainy, foggy, wet raining, snowy, windy and, and, and …….. Wear layers, bring a scarf, weather resistant shoes/boots, gloves and such.

What to Bring:

· a couple gallon jugs for collecting sea water

· a sharp harvesting knife (I use a pareing knife and also brind a big old chef knife)

· an old bed sheet

· a few zip loc bags (who knows, might find something you want to take back)

· a pocket full of cordage or strings

· munchies, juice

· A damp washrag in a zip loc bag so you can freshen up

· Money so we can stop at a restaurant and eat a hearty lunch when we are done

· Sun block, bug spray, eye glasses as needed, cameras.

What we Harvest

We will be collecting an armload of Elymus Mollis, which appears to be having a GOOD YEAR. We will swing over to Bowerman Basin and also check on the 3 cornered sedge, cat tails and water iris. If it looks like we can harvest some big handsful we will. Also, canary reed grass is usually ready for a harvest at this time. We time the harvest to concide with the ripening of Salmonberries. But, given our hectic urban schedules, sometimes we are off by a week or two. We work with it.

Again, where we meet and how we Travel

We meet a 8 AM at the street edge of Trader Joe’s parking lot at Hwy 101 and Harrison/Cooper Point in Olympia. Once there, we will arrange any carpools that wish to form. We’ll be back before dark. Of course, if you take your own vehicle, you are in charge of your own time schedule. It’s about a 11 ½ hour drive to the harvest site not far from Westport, WA.

Fun

Lois “Louie” Chichinoff Thadei (Aleut-Sealaska)

MAILING Address Only: 120 State Ave. NE #1455 – Olympia, WA 98501

Phone: 360-539-5031

Cell: 360-259-4827

E-mail: aleutwoman@comcast.net

Web Site: www.aleutwoman.com/

Alaska Native Arts Foundation: http://www.alaskanativearts.org/shop-artist-individual?id=148

Aleut People Worldwide: http://wdict.net/word/Aleut+people

Washington State Arts Commission: http://www.arts.wa.gov/folk-arts/master-artists/thadei.shtml

Old Masters (NPR): http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuow/sets/72157622974889054/

My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aleutwoman/

Seattle Weavers Guild Museum and Gallery News [forwarded]

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[This Seattle Weavers Guild email newsletter was forwarded by Lana Schneider  — Lana says pay particular attention to the yarn bombing articles (links below) ]

SWG Museum and Gallery News

Late September 2012

Exhibits Closing Very Soon

 Seattle – If you can quickly get yourself to the Friesen Abmeyer Fine Art gallery, you’ll enjoy seeing “Inner Fabric: An Exhibition of Artists Working with Fiber and Fabric.” Eight artists have incorporated fiber into contemporary creations ranging from small felted creatures to wrapped trees and mixed media paintings. The exhibit closes on Sunday, September 30th. The gallery is located downtown at 1210 2nd Avenue. Phone is (206) 628-9501. Gallery hours are Tuesdays- Saturdays 11 am to 5:30 pm, and on Sundays from 12 noon to 5 pm.

 Seattle –SAM has a current exhibit by Jenny Heishman who incorporates everyday materials (including fibers and fabric) into art objects that require a shift in our expected experiences with these materials. Her work encourages pleasure in the act of looking through visual surprises. She is the winner of the 2011 Betty Bowen Award. This exhibit closes on October 1. More information is at www.seattleartmuseum.org/exhibit

 Tacoma – Mixed media artist Marie Watt’s exhibit, “Lodge,” is available for viewing through October 7 at the Tacoma Art Museum. Her work incorporates Native American blankets, stories and the rituals implicit in everyday objects. She includes the traditions of Native Americans, modern 20th century abstractions, and the communal practices of American sewing bees and quilting circles. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, and until 8 pm on Thursdays. It’s located along the Tacoma waterfront at 1701 Pacific Avenue. Adult admission is $10 and $8 for seniors. Go to www.tacomaartmuseum.org  for further exhibit details.

 Bellevue, WA –Bellevue Arts Museum’s current exhibits include “Bold Expressions,” a collection of over 50 quilts created in the American south between 1910 and the 1970s. These pieces reflect the distinctive free patterns and stunning color combinations often associated with American folk crafts. The African American women quilters used available materials: recycling flour sacks, old blue jeans and even work clothes to produce their works of art. Museum hours are 11 am to 5 pm Tuesdays – Sundays; admission is $10 for adults and $7 for seniors. Check  www.bellevuearts.org/exhibitions/current/ for more details. The exhibit is only up through Sunday, October 7.

 La Conner – The Quilt and Textile Museum currently features “At Play – Asobi,” an exhibit of Japanese-inspired quilts. The exhibit’s title is expressed in the themes of creativity and delight involved in the entire process of design planning and creative stitchery. The museum is open Wednesdays – Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. The address is 703 Second Street in La Conner. Phone (360) 466-4288 or check the website for all details:www.laconnerquilts.com/exhibits/current Admission is $7 for non-members. This exhibit closes on Sunday, October 7.

 Also currently at the La Conner Textile Museum is an exhibit of Ainu Embroidery featuring garments made with traditional stitching techniques. Modeled on historically accurate designs, these recently made, special garments are now used primarily for ceremonial and festive occasions. “Ainu Embroidery” will be on exhibit only through October 7.

 Current Exhibits 

Seattle – SAM’s current exhibit of “Order and Border” examines how stripes decorate and structure objects, spaces and bodies. It follows the many ways that stripes are formulated and shows how they appear in a wide range of media from a multitude of cultures.  This exhibit continues through Sunday, October 21, at the SAM downtown.  More information is at www.seattleartmuseum.org

 Salem, OR – The Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University is currently featuring a remarkable exhibit of Turkish weaving. “Family Holdings: Turkish Flat Weaves from the Keith Achepohl Collection” presents superb examples of 19th and 20th Century kilims (rugs), saddle bags, storage bags and dowry pieces, all made by nomadic people of Turkey. All the details are available at http://Willamette.edu/arts/hfma or http://www.northwestweavers.org/coming-events   (ANWG website). This exhibit will be available from September 15 through December 23, 2012.    

 Gig Harbor – Tapestry Artists of Puget Sound and the Tapestry Weavers South have combined their talents in a show entitled “NWxSE” currently installed at the Harbor History Museum. In addition there will be a TAPS show running concurrently at the museum. The exhibits will be up through January 20, 2013. Several SWG members are featured artists in these exhibits; see the members section (following) for specifics.

 Open Air Exhibits: Yarn Bombing Sites in our Area! 

Yes – we’ve mentioned this activity at our guild meetings. Now you can catch up on some of the latest creations by checking these websites…

 http://www.pecklife.com/blog/2012/04/05/artificial-light.html

 http://www.seattlemag.com/article/yarn-bomb-hits-redmond

 http://streetcolor.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/yarnbombing-and-the-seattle-mariners-glove/ 

 http://westseattlebog.com/2012/03/west-seattle-scene-junction-stump-gets-yarn-bombed

 http://seattle.curbed.com/archives/2012/09/capitol-hills-new-home-for-yarn-bombing-pros.php

 http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2012/03/27/chs-pics-yarn-bombed-19th-ave-e 

  Exhibits Opening Soon 

Bellevue –Bellevue Arts Museum’s “BAM Biennial 2012: High Fiber Diet” will be opening on October 25th. Two SWG members, Polly Adams Sutton and Patti King, have works chosen for the exhibit from the almost 300 proposals submitted. This exhibit will be available through February 24, 2013.

 Plan Ahead – Special Programs and Events

How will you celebrate Spinning and Weaving Week this year? It’s October 1 – 7. Consider promoting your favorite fiber interests and abilities with other friends. Share your enthusiasm and skills and help our crafts flourish!

Seattle – Northwest designer Craftsmen have an interesting lecture scheduled for Wednesday, October 10. Lanny Bergner, a fiber, sculpture and installation artist, will describe the development of his work and some of his site-specific installations. The focus will be primarily on his metal mesh works. The hour-long program is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Center in Seattle, 6532 Phinney Avenue North, starting at 7 pm.

Bellingham – The Whatcom Weavers Guild annual Fibers and Beyond Show and Sale is scheduled for Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13. It will be held at Fox Hall in Bellingham, which is located behind the Hampton Inn at I-5 Exit 258 (go west on Bennett Drive). A special addition to this year’s event will be arts and crafts created by the spouses who are more widely known as the loyal and hard-working support crews. Hours are 5 to 9 pm on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Vancouver, BC – The Greater Vancouver Weavers and Spinners Guild cordially invites guests to a special program on Thursday, October 18th. Jo Anne Ryeburn from their guild will present “My Weaving Adventures” in an afternoon program (1:30 to 3 pm). The meeting will take place at Aberthau, West Point Grey Community Centre, 2nd Ave at Trimble in Vancouver. More details are at www.gvwsg.com

SWG Members’ Exhibit Activities

Several SWG members have works featured in the current exhibits at the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor. Jennie Jeffries, Julie Rapinoe, Margaret Turner, Ellen Ramsey and Pamela Done are the talented artists. Congratulations to each of you!

 Upcoming SWG Anniversary Exhibit

 Seattle – SWG is sponsoring a show at the Art/Not Terminal Gallery during the month of November. This non-juried fiber arts show (with three cash awards) is entitled “Putting the Art in Fiber Arts – Proud Past, Dynamic Future,” and focuses on woven, felted, surface-designed and multimedia art works created by our SWG members. Check the SWG website for all the details.

 Textiles in Oaxaca, Mexico

SWG member Jane Emerson is offering to share images and blog posts on the textiles of Oaxaca which her family has enjoyed in recent years. Try these links for a delightful virtual visit to this colorful world:

http://oaxaca-chapulines.blogspot.com/2012/09/threads-of-cloud-people-communal.html

http://oaxaca-chapulines.blogspot.com/2011/01/museo-textil-de-oaxaca.html

http://oaxaca-chapulines.blogspot.com/2011/02/san-bartolo-coyotepec.html

Other Exhibit Opportunities to Enjoy

 American Tapestry Alliance – The ATA has an “eKUDOS” website/”newsletter” with detailed information and links to current tapestry exhibits around the world. Those interested can sign up to receive these monthly listings. Go to www.americantapestryalliance.org to connect with this great resource.

Seattle – The Henry Art Gallery at the UW has recently re-opened their Study Center. This classroom space within the museum allows their permanent collection of costumes and textiles to be pulled from storage for research and teaching purposes. (Special arrangements are necessary for visits.) The 18,000 plus pieces, dating from 1500 BCE to the present, are worldwide in origin. Representative items from the collection are accessible on line at http://dig.henryart.org/textiles or at http://henryartcollections.org/advsearch.php?module=objects 

 HGA’s Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot

The Winter 2012 issue of SS&D features articles about HGA’s Convergence 2012 in Long Beach, CA. Check this out, as well as lots of other interesting articles and suggestions about exhibits of interest for textile and fiber artists. Highlights of these and other activities are available by signing up for the free HGA eNewsletter at www.weavespindye.org under the “What’s New” tab at the top of the screen.

 Calls for Artists – Shows to Enter

(Some Deadlines are Imminent!!)

(in chronological order by deadlines)

Garments for the SWG Fashion Show (presented during the November-December guild meeting) are due at the guild meeting on September 27th.  Refer to the SWG website for the details and necessary forms. Models and helpers are still needed as well. Contact the Fashion Show Coordinator, Cyndi White (cyndiCon@aol.com) to offer your help.

 Bellingham – Bellingham Allied Arts is seeking artist applicants for its 2013 gallery shows. Any media from emerging or established artists is welcomed for consideration in their nine juried shows of three to six artists each. The deadline is Friday, September 28. Go to www.alliedarts.org/content/Gallery/2013_juried_art.asp to get the detailed information.

 Mercer Island – The Mercer Island Arts Council is soliciting applications for its 2013 exhibit schedule. These are seven weeklong shows held seven times a year. Deadline for applying is September 28. Details are atwww.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=1994. The link is at the bottom of the page.

 Seattle – University Unitarian Church has scheduled a day to screen artworks for consideration in their gallery exhibit program. Accepted art pieces will be scheduled for six week shows between January 2013 and December 2015. Hang-able art, with secular or spiritual themes, should be delivered to the church by 8:30 am on Saturday, Sept. 29 and will be ready for pick up at 1 pm that day. The church is located at 6556 35th Ave. NE. Contact Pam Belcher (belcherpe@comcast.net) or Beth Halfacre (ehalfacre48@comcast.net) for further information.

 NW Designer Craftsmen – This organization is inviting all northwest resident artists to consider applying for juried membership in their group. Membership provides opportunities for exhibiting in a wide regional area, networking with other artists, and promoting public education for the fine arts. Deadline for applications is October 1. If accepted, members have annual dues of $50. Go to www.nwdc-online.org for all the details.

 Tacoma – The Proctor Art Gallery has an opening for a local artist doing contemporary visual works. Deadline is October 8, 2012. Contact Carolyn Burt : burt-cd@comcast.net to get all the details.

 Seattle – The Phinney Ridge 2013 gallery schedule is currently being planned. The group is especially supportive of local, emerging visual artists. Both groups and individuals are encouraged to apply. Deadline is Monday, October 8 at10 pm. Go to www.phinneycenter.org/arts for all the details.

 Shoreline – Their Arts Council is seeking artists to submit visual artworks for their two exhibition locations: The Gallery at Town Center and the Shoreline City Hall Gallery. Deadline for these applications is Wednesday, October 31. Check out details at http://shorelinearts.net/Opportunities/opportunities.html

 Burien – The Burien Arts Association is organizing a Fiber Arts Show for February 2013 and welcomes applications from SWG members. Specific details are not yet available; try contacting them via their website if you are interested:http://www.burienarts.org

 Tacoma – The prospectus for the 2013 RAGS Wearable Art show and sale is now available. All the details and the application can be downloaded from the website at www.ragswearableart.org  (under “Call for Entries’). The show and sale are scheduled for March 8-11, 2013, and all applications must be postmarked prior to December 14, 2012.

 DO YOUR PART

HELP TO KEEP THIS INTERESTING!

Send in any suggestions and activity notices anytime to

SWG Museums and Galleries rep – Nancy van Roessel    ncvr@comcast.net

Updates will be published regularly just prior to monthly guild meetings

or more often if activity notices warrant quick attention

Twists and Turns and Stitches: Explorations in Coiling

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July 28, 2012 10AM – 4PM
Sweetwater Creek Farm Studio
Whidbey Island, WA
(Studio is located 10 minutes from the Clinton Ferry)
Instructor: Marilyn Moore
All weaving levels: The variations used in coiling are endless. This workshop explores many of them including wrapping and turning the coil to produce interesting shaping effects. In this class students will also learn three coiling stitches, the figure 8 stitch, the lazy stitch and mariposa stitch. Using at least three colors of waxed linen, and polished hemp for the core, the beauty and secrets of coiled shaping are delved into. The cost is $85. plus a $55. materials fee. To register for this workshop, please  email us at: sandymwhitng@gmail.com
(contributed by Heather Pope)

Nordic Heritage Museum offers Seattle Weavers Guild exhibit

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"Transparencies" -- Pamela Done

The Nordic Heritage Museum presents Weaving in the Northwest: an exhibit honoring the weaving heritage of Margaret Bergman in conjunction with weavings of Seattle Weavers Guild members, reflecting their Scandinavian textile heritage.   The SWG exhibit is part of a public presence celebrating the 75th anniversary of the guild’s founding and will be on exhibit until May 6th at the museum.  The Nordic Heritage Museum, located in the colorful Ballard community, is a gem of immigration history, which encompasses a depth of textile work throughout the rich Scandinavian heritage.  For specifics of where/when/ how much, go to   www.nordicmuseum.org     Treat yourself to a great NW experience.