Join artists from the Quinte Region and friends, with Featured Artist, ANN FALES, at Gallery 121 in Belleville for an outstanding Fibre Art Exhibition

SAQA Central Canada members with work in the Exhibition/Sale include:

HILARY RICE, JOAN REIVE, CAROL PETERSON, ANN FALES, MARY MINIGAN AND BETHANY GARNER.

Gallery 121 is a non-profit cooperative art gallery founded in 1991 by Quinte area visual artists to provide exhibition space for its members.

Gallery One-Twenty-One

Quintessential Art

48 Bridge Street East

Belleville, Ontario, Canada

K8N 1L6

613 962 4609

Gallery Hours:

10:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday to Saturday

Contact us via email: gallery121artists@yahoo.ca

Visit our Blog:  www.gallery121artists.blogspot.com

FIBREWORKS KINGSTON Weekend Workshop sponsors a CABIN FEVER weekend of play 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

Special Greetings to our readers and friends across Canada and the US......

As the snows begin to fall and the winds pick up, do focus in on your home, your studio and all of the things you love the most.

Be kind and loving to your friends and family, and helpful to those who are might be in need of your assistance at this time of year. Remember those who are less fortunate and bring the blessing of your smile to those you meet along the way. Simple gifts.
   
As we head toward the new year, please know how much your ongoing support and encouragement mean in this quest to bring new Workshops, the very best of the best Instructors your way, and the opportunity to share techniques, new design options and the just plain fun of being together with like minded artist friends old and new.


Please do plan to join me at FIBREWORKS KINGSTON Workshops in the new year. All of the news is at our Blog:    

http://www.fibreworkskingston.blogspot.ca  

Visit  the blog in the week between Christmas and New Years for the launch of our CABIN FEVER WORKSHOP WEEKEND News - scheduled for February 6-8, 2015... hope you will join us!

And Winter Term at St. Lawrence brings you "COLOUR - The Quilt Artists Way from January 15- April 2, 2015. Come Play!  details are at:   http:www.bethanygarner.blogspot.ca

Have a wonderful Christmas and a most blessed New Year!

Bethany

Kingston Fibre Artist Group member friends participate in a project to purchase a Rickshaw for a family in India....



Rickshaw purchased with the donation by KINGSTON FIBRE ARTIST GROUP friends

The magic of providing a chance for a job and a better life for a family was very exciting for our local Kingston Fibre Artists Group members who donated to a collection dedicated to purchasing a brand new rickshaw for a family man in Jaipur, India. Our donated dollars went to DANIELLE AIRD, a friend in fibre and textiles who travels to India each year to shop for supplies to bring back to Canada and sell in support of Calcutta Rescue Canada.

We love supporting Danielle and her personal projects and are thankful for her help in guiding us in our quest to participate in the Rickshaw purchase this year.

NOTE: This Rickshaw project was NOT sponsored by Calcutta Rescue, but indeed a worthy  initiative developed by Danielle Aird.

 

Here is her story....and the project is on hold by Danielle for now, but she may be able to encourage more friends to participate in the future.

Danielle is often at the Downtown Kingston Sunday Market on Market Square in the warmer months and you may contact her here: calcuttarescuecanada@gmail.com

 

The Letter below was received from Danielle on her return to Canada:

 

 

 

Dear friends who contributed to the rickshaws and blankets,

 

Attached below is a copy of the saga. I will work on a slide show to share with you soon.

 

Danielle Aird, Kingston, ON

 

The Rickshaw Story, November 2014

One morning, a few years ago, while visiting Jaipur, India, I hired a bicycle rickshaw man. Papu was such a pleasant, humble person that I hired him for the whole week. After 4 or 5 days, while he was pedalling, taking me to Johari Bazaar, I said to him: “Today, Papu, you will take me to a rickshaw maker.” He knew instantly what that meant. He turned around on his seat and touching his heart, said to me “My heart is so happy.” He took a minute to catch his breath and continued on to my destination. We ordered the rickshaw and Papu told me that he was illiterate but if I would write my name and my husband's name on a paper, he would have it painted on the back of the rickshaw. He was upset that I would not be around when it would be ready so I could be the first to ride in it. I visited his home, a room about 10 by 15 feet – one toilet in the building is shared by many many people. I met his wife and 2 of his 3 children.

Another year, my sister sponsored two rickshaws. Papu helped me find suitable recipients. One of the rickshaws was for her 5 grandsons' Christmas present. Their names were painted on the back. I met one of the families and I will never forget the smiles.

In November of this year, before leaving for India with friends Malka and Judy, I mentioned this to those of you on my emailing list and more than 10 people came forward wanting to donate rickshaws. I stopped at ten, realizing that this would be a huge task (I had expected that 2 or 3 would be interested). I contacted Laxman, a kind, compassionate friend in Jaipur and asked if he would know of any deserving persons to whom we could donate the rickshaws. He explained that in the area where he lived, there were no bicycle rickshaws but that he would ask around and try to find as many suitable persons as possible. He already knew of one person: the woman is a housecleaner in the neighbourhood and he felt she was a good woman and he enquired about her husband and found him to have an honest reputation. He wanted to make sure that no one would receive a rickshaw and turn around and sell it for drugs or such things.

 

The seven piece Rickshaw collection purchased in 2014 by Danielle and her friends

Kingston Fibre Artists Group Recipient and his wife

 

Upon arrival in Jaipur, I asked Papu if he knew anyone and he came up with two men from his neighbourhood. One problem I had not anticipated is that the men live in very different areas. I had thought they would all be in the same neighbourhood.

My friend Laxman (with the help of his brother Suresh) managed to find a total of 5 men. But Laxman works in a tourist shop 7 days a week from 10 am to 9 pm so it was not possible for him to do any legwork. Suresh, who works in more or less the same conditions, was fortunate to have a co-worker who would take his load on while Suresh drove me about side-saddle, without helmet, in the thick of traffic from one rickshaw man's house to another. It was wonderful but the whole time, I was aware that I must be imposing on this very kind man. Whenever I tried to apologize for causing such trouble, he would reply that this was his duty and that since I was coming to help some people, it was the least he could do.

They say the devil is in the details. That is true: to complicate matters, I was not feeling well at the beginning of the visit to Jaipur; then, Judy was sick... then, when we visited the first candidates, my camera's battery died (it is not the kind that is easy to replace) so Judy took some photos; Malka took some photos. Later, I was able to find a charger and to take photos myself. Meanwhile, I tried to keep details straight: names, some information when possible, who would get rickshaw #1, #2 and so forth... , there might be some mistakes with names and ages but I did my very best...

Laxman made numerous calls on his cellphone to coordinate the building of the rickshaws, asking all the right questions, making sure the frame would be such and such, the tires such and such, the rim such and such, that the price would include the painting of names on the back, tax... that they would be ready for delivery while I was still in India. He helped me get the best rate of exchange for the Canadian dollars. (They did end up costing $285. each but I am happy to pay the difference.) Then, he made sure each rickshaw man received a note attesting to ownership. He was invaluable. I could not have done it without him or his brother Suresh. I also could not have done it without Malka and Judy's incredible patience. They definitely have been plunged into the bowels of India during this trip.

Laxman informed us that there was a huge need for blankets and sleeping pads for destitute people. Three of the kingston families who had each donated funds for rickshaws agreed to have their funds allocated to this. Malka and I had fun (while poor Judy was recovering at the hotel) going to the factory depot into the innards or the bazaar to purchase the blankets and pads which we distributed mostly to leprosy patients. We sat in our motor rickshaw crushed under the huge mounds of blankets and drove off into the distance where we brought many smiles to beautiful faces. It was absolutely heart-warming to meet such cheerful people; they have fingers and toes missing; some are disfugured, and yet, they are the most joyful bunch of people; no self-pity there.

 

I had planned on having some really nice pictures with smart compositions, good lighting, etc... but time was of the essence and since I did not want to impose on Suresh, the photos are what they are !

I could go on; suffice to say that this was a wonderful experience and Malka, Judy and I have all of you to thank for it. I will work on a slide show and hopefully, I can share it with you soon.

Thank you all!

 

Danielle Aird

www.calcuttarescuecanada.ca

www.calcuttarescue.org

 

 

THIS IS A BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT for the Kingston Fibre Artists Group friends who shared in the donation to Danielle and her project for a rickshaw purchase ...all best wishes to Danielle and to Judy, Malka, Laxman, Papu and all of her friends worldwide. And especially to our Rickshaw Recipient and his family!

Please join me at St. Lawrence College in January 2015 for 12 fun-filled weeks of colour play and design work - quilt focused!

COLOUR THE QUILT ARTISTS WAY...

Bethany Garner Instructor,  January 15- April 2, 2015

REFUGE, Bethany Garner, hand painted with Procion dyes, thickened, mono-printed and free form drip dyed

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: ARTS109	Section: 860
Campus: KINGSTON	Instructor: Bethany Garner
Date(s): 1/15/2015 - 4/2/2015. Days of Week: Thursday evenings.   Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fee: $246.24	Additional 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 an intense study of the MODERN QUILT movement including design and assembly techniques... with a goal toward 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 an 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

May this month be filled with the joy of making and really looking into and loving the art forms you choose as your own...

from Joann Sharpe's free form Lettering, as posted by Cherie Haas,
Online Editor to Cloth Paper Scissors Today Nov. 7, 2014
 



Just a reminder as you go into this slower and more stitch focused season of shorter days and LONG evenings for stitching and paint/dye/print 'making' to take your thoughts, talents and joy each day to the place in your life where you develop new ideas and take the studio focused action that all new, original work requires.

 

For me... it's taking weaving lessons and learning to bring the new "Fanny" floor loom (actually 14 years old) in my studio become a useful and enjoyable tool for all new art cloth.

 

Make ART be the focus ... visit exhibitions, shops, sales and meetings of your favourite groups/Guilds - all abundant in this month of November. Take time to visit websites/blogs of the artist friends you love and include them in your lives. Take a friend along on a day trip to see art, and be sure to say THANK YOU to someone who has been an inspiration to you or helped you out along the way.

Bethany

CONNECTIONS Fibre Artists "18 - SQUARE" Exhibition at The Grange Gallery (Heritage Mississauga) - on now through January 25, 2015

 

18-SQUARE 

 Nov. 4th, 2015 to Jan. 23rd 2015.

"The Grange" Gallery Heritage Mississauga

1921 Dundas St. W.

Mississauga, ON  L5K 1R2

 

All new work from the Connection Fibre Artists

 

 

Show Information:

Gallery Telephone: 905-828-8411

Please note: The driveway and parking lot access is off of a side street - Sir John’s Homestead.

The gallery is located inside a heritage home, "The Grange"- situated on the north side of Dundas St W., between Mississauga Road and Erin Mills Parkway.

 

 

 

Gallery Hours:

Monday to Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Closed Saturday & Sunday 

(open until 8:30 pm on select Tuesday evenings, but please call in advance to confirm)

 

Hoping you will visit the Gallery between now and January 25th.