Notable Quilt Exhibit

There will be an exhibit at the Hite Art Institute on the campus of the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY, called "Capturing Women’s History: Quilts, Activism, and Storytelling." Put this exhibit on your "Must See" list if you are are interested in feminist history and the feminist art movements of the 1970s and 80s. (See the comment by Kathy Loomis.)

It features the International Honor Quilt (exhibited for the first time in its entirety). The International Honor Quilt consists of 539 individual triangular quilts produced by women and groups from around the country to celebrate individuals, women’s organizations, and women’s issues. In addition to the quilt, the Hot Flash Fan (1985) will also be on display. Initiated by Ann Stewart Anderson and Judy Chicago, the work includes the participation of 50 Kentucky artists and incorporates mixed media approaches to quilting.

The exhibition includes a rare opportunity to view historical documentation of the making of the quilts, to listen to stories about each quilt, and to learn how art can inspire social change. In 2013, the Hite Art Institute was gifted the International Honor Quilt by Through The Flower, a non-profit organization created by Judy Chicago in 1980. The Hite Art Institute in association with the University of Louisville is charged with utilizing the project to promote social engagement and inspire change.

You can view this exhibit at the Schneider Hall Galleries at the Hite Art Institute in Louisville, KY, from February 1 - March 19, 2016. The opening reception will occur on Friday, February 12, 2016, from 6pm - 8pm. If you can't make the opening reception but would like to see the exhibit, the gallery hours are Wed - Fri: 9am - 4:30pm and Sat - Sun: 1pm - 5pm. You can find a map here if you are interested in seeing this exhibit.

Some of the information for this blog post came from the Hite Art Institute show flyer.

 

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Retreat--Day 3

Today is the last day of the retreat for me. (Insert sad face here.) I have had a wonderful time and have met some very nice people.

I finally have something to show; I finished another pin today. The photo on the left is the piece before it is cut out and before the black outline stitching has been done. The finished pin is on the right.

I did get a row sewn together for my hexagon quilt.

Look at the cute, tiny scissors I bought. They are made by Bohin and are great for my embroidery and hexie work. My friend, Robin S, made me a REALLY cute scissors case for them (since one didn't come with them). Check it out.

Speaking of Robin S, look what her dog did to a spool of her silk thread. The dog now lives with the neighbors!

There were even more quilts shown today. These two quilts are two of five quilts made for Quilts of Valor at the retreat. Some of the ladies pieced these and others volunteered to quilt and/or bind them. If you'd like to check out the Quilts of Valor program, click here.

These were some more quilt tops finished today.

It has been a really fun three days. I sure hate for it to be over. Thanks Jean Shaw for putting on such a nice retreat.

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Retreat--Day 2

I am in day 2 of this quilting retreat. You really find out some interesting things at a retreat. One of the quilters shared this YouTube video. You have heard the line, "you can quilt that out," well this video address that in a REALLY funny way. Check it out here. I've also learned how to make a very simple very nice cover for my scissors. I'm going to test it out on a new pair of tiny scissors I just got. I'll share as soon as I get time.

I had been told that the food at this quilting retreat was REALLY good, but I had NO idea how good (or how much). They serve a fabulous breakfast followed by snacks in the afternoon and desserts later in the evening. Here is a little sample.

After we eat, there IS some work that gets done.

I know those of you that do piecing are already impressed with how beautiful this block is. You'll be even MORE impressed when I tell you the block measures only 12" finished.

I sure wouldn't mind getting this quilt for Valentine's Day.

This little paper-pieced quilt is a stunner.

Have you noticed you haven't seen anything of mine in these pics? Well, it is because I didn't even bring a sewing machine with me. I'm doing handwork on some "extreme embroidery" pins, my "forever" hexagon quilt, my larger "extreme embroidery" piece, and another project. It is SLOW going. I haven't made enough progress to make for any interesting pictures. Of course, visiting, eating, and checking out everyone's projects does take some time. (Insert smiley face here!)

 

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Retreat Time!

I am fortunate enough to get to go to a lot of retreats. Nothing stops me and my quilting friends from getting there. Not even...

The snow DID clear up, but it is COLD!!!

Tonight was Show & Tell. The room was small, so I didn't get the best pictures; but I wanted to share some of it with you.

We are at the Cornerstone Inn Bed and Breakfast in Nashville, Indiana. The food is fabulous and the place is REALLY nice. I have met some really nice people and am having a great time. Now, the goal is to actually get some work done!

I hope to have more posts about this retreat. Stay tuned.

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I'm Baaaaaaack

I have ALL kinds of excuses for not having posted for awhile--traveling (to see my little granddaughter; see picture below), working on getting a couple pieces done for a deadline, working on some blog posts for And Then We Set It On Fire, Christmas company, and quilt retreats to name a few.

June Beth

I was asked to be a guest blogger for the And Then We Set It On Fire blog. I was a resident artist on the blog when it first started. I had to stop that when I took my Independent Study Workshop with Jane Dunnewold so I could work on my own artwork. Anyway, I was asked to bring them up to date on what I am currently doing, so I have six posts coming up at the end of January. The posts start on January 18 and continue through January 29th. They will be posted on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for two weeks. The last two posts contain a project you could do if you are interested. The project is an "extreme embroidery" pin. I will give you a supply list and show you how I did this pin.

I'd love it if you would stop by the Fire blog and check it out.

I have been doing a bit of "traditional" piecing; I've missed it. I find that it allows me to rest the creative part of my brain. (It needs a rest every now and then.) I'm doing the 365 Challenge--just VERY basic piecing. Here are the blocks I got finished at my last retreat. These are all supposed to use dark/dark, dark, or medium dark fabrics. If you check out the 365 Challenge sampler, you will see that these dark blocks will be used for an inner border.

I also made a checkerboard for the first part of a quilt along called "Play with Me." This quilt along is a wonderful skill builder that features a variety of game boards. It is set up so that each month a different technique (with step-by-step instructions) is featured.

In this quilt along, you have to finish the pattern for the current month to get the next month's pattern free. I find this to be a good incentive for me to actually get each month's pattern finished. (If you hurry, you can still get it finished in time to get the second "block" pattern for free.) I'm making the travel version of each game board. I figure they will get a lot of use with all the grandchildren.

The finished checkerboard will be quilted and will contain a zippered pocket to store the game pieces. This clever design rolls up for travel. I had to ask a few questions about getting the PDF and linking up to the website, and Alida could not have been more helpful. She got right back to me with just what I needed.

I also finished two pieces for the upcoming SAQA Indiana Marie Webster exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one or both are juried into the show. You'll get a look at those later. Wish me luck.

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Healing the Earth

At my last retreat, my friend Joanne Weis told me about a solo exhibition that was coming up for her. I REALLY admire her work and think EVERYONE should see it if they get a chance, so I asked her to send me all the information she could think of about the exhibit. Here is what you need to know.

Joanne's exhibit will be held January 5 to February 28, 2016, at the St. Meinrad (Indiana) Archabbey Gallery.

Joanne is a mixed media textile artist in Louisville, Kentucky, whose work can be found in numerous private collections around the country. Her recent work has focused on the links between the earth’s environment and the spiritual, leading to the 2016 show at the St. Meinrad Archabbey, "Healing the Earth".

Working in hand dyed, printed and embroidered hemp, this series of textile pieces focuses on activities and locations where people with a passion, generally in partnership with private foundations and/or the government, are exerting significant effort to repair and restore the soil, water, flora and fauna destroyed or threatened by humans. In planning this series, Joanne put out a request to artist friends around the country, asking if they were aware of locations in their vicinity where environmental restoration efforts were having some success. The response was overwhelming leading to nine pieces honoring restoration and reclamation processes that offer hope for a repaired and healed earth.

The picture above is an image of a piece depicting the "Copper Basin" , 32,000 acres in Polk County Tennessee and Fannin County Georgia near the state border with North Carolina. A cluster of low hills surrounded by mountains created a geologic formation that resulted in nine distinct copper deposits and was totally destroyed by 19th century mining practices. (Those five rectangles on the left of the piece are actual pieces of copper. Now do you see why I love her work? You've GOT to see this piece (and all the pieces) in person.)

The Gallery is located in the library at St Meinrad Archabbey, 200 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, Indiana 47577; 65 miles west of Louisville, Kentucky, and 55 miles east of Evansville, Indiana. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Those wishing to view the exhibit may want to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time. You might also need to know that St. Meinrad is on Central time. Please check out this exhibit if you get a chance. Let me know how much you love it! Here is the information you will need to plan your trip.

"Healing the Earth" at the St/Meinrad Archabbey Library Gallery - January 5 to February 28, 2016.

Regular Hours

(September 1 - December 10, 2015; January 27- May 12, 2016)

Monday

8 a.m.-noon, 1-4:50 p.m., 6-10 p.m.

Tuesday

8 a.m.-noon, 1-4:50 p.m., 6:45-10 p.m.

Wednesday - Friday

8 a.m.-noon, 1-4:50 p.m., 6-10 p.m.

Saturday

9-11 a.m., 1-3:50 p.m., 6-10 p.m.

Sunday

1-4:50 p.m., 7:30-10 p.m.

Late December and January Hours (Please check below for special hours.)

(December 11, 2015 - January 26, 2016)

Monday-Thursday

8 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m.

Friday

8 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m.

Saturday

1-5 p.m.

Sunday

1-5 p.m.

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