Registration is open for THOUSAND ISLANDS SUMMER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, 2014... Come Play!!

ST. LAWRENCE COLLEGE - Kingston Campus

THOUSAND ISLANDS SUMMER SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS 2014....Week Long Study Opportunities...  

NOTE: These courses are offered at the Kingston campus. Residence rooms available.

Surface Design and Stitch    Date(s): 7/21/2014 - 7/28/2014 This full week course in our Textile Design Program will prepare the Program or general interest student to create their own original hand coloured and stitched textile projects. The course is for anyone who has ever wanted to step out of the box, leave the familiar and perhaps traditional behind and create one of a kind quilts or embroidery while learning the foundations of design, stitch, pattern development and finishing of quilts, home décor, wearables or wall art.  Students will explore color, support their knowledge of design principles and build all new work while spending time in the classroom divided between working into a sketchbook with art and design techniques. Students will experience hands on sampling for special effects on fabrics and the planning and successful execution of original small quilts or stitched fabrics using a wide variety of new techniques. Students are encouraged to complete several small classroom projects which are stitched by hand or machine, framed/bound and ready to enjoy. A material fee of $40.00 to cover the cost of paints and dyes, some tools and fabrics/threads for small class samples is payable to the instructor on the first day.

 

Course Code: ARTS110 Section: 540 Campus: KINGSTON Instructor: Bethany Garner Fee: $299.70 Additional Notes:  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Colour The Quilt Artist's Way (in Kingston)   July 28-August 1, 2014 Embarking on your journey into the magical world of creating original cloth design and taking your quilts and fibre projects to a new dimension can be a time of questions, uncertainty and excited anticipation to learn all that is NEW!. In this course, Bethany will guide you toward listening to your own “voice” and finding the confidence to make independent decisions that will produce beautiful art, whether quilts, embroidery and wearables that are strong in colour and design. During our week together, you will dye, paint and develop pattern on cloth and colour complementary threads to create your very own compositions based study of the principles and elements of design at the start of our week together. Dyeing, painting, shibori, monoprint, Indigo play all included. Plan to emerge from this class with an exciting and original collection of projects, many ideas for future projects and confidence in your ability to design! Experience with colouring cloth is NOT required and the design study is planned as serious PLAY. Students are encouraged to complete several small classroom projects which are stitched by hand or machine, framed/bound and exhibition ready. A material fee of $40.00 to cover the cost of wax, paints and dyes, some tools and fabrics/threads for small class samples is payable to the instructor on the first day.

Colour The Quilt Artist's Way (in Kingston) Course Code: ARTS109 Section: 540 Campus: KINGSTON Instructor: Bethany Garner Date(s): 7/28/2014 - 8/1/2014 Fee: $299.70 Additional Notes

Time with a Canadian Icon, Penny Berens is an opportunity not to be missed....

PENNY BERENS

Fibre Artist/Designer/Educator

from Nova Scotia 

MAKE IT YOUR OWN WITH DISCHARGE

May 21 and 22, 2014, Odessa Fairgrounds Hall

Course Fee : $175.00

DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY WITH PENNY - just a few seats left
 

 

Penny is a cherished and renowned Canadian Textile Artist and member of the CONNECTIONS FIBRE ARTISTS Group and brings to FIBREWORKS her more than 30 years of experience.

 

Penny's workshop is certain to excite both new and experienced students. Recognized for her work in both hand and machine stitching, layered and cut collage, dye and paint work, mixed media exploration and surface design, this is one Instructor you will not want to miss.
 

Her teaching career as a studio artist bringing the best of the best courses to students across Canada and beyond is a testament to her long career and the many awards she has been granted in exhibitions both here and abroad.

The magic of discharge for fibre is a skill that many have coveted studying and Penny is a master. Making sure that her students work in a safe and well ventilated area, Penny will guide students through a number of focused techniques sessions. “It’s so important to take the time to play and not take things too seriously… allow accidents to become an opportunity.”

Students will explore discharge on Black Kona Cotton, (or colours/fabrics of your choice) using both traditional bleach and discharge pastes. Stitching options will be shared for Shibori  results. Exploration of brushed and sponged techniques will take your fabrics to a whole new dimension. Spraying the bleach, exploring the new pastes that add colour back and certainly the over-painting and special dye techniques that fibre artists love will all be a part of the adventure over these two great days with Penny.

This is an experimental workshop, and results can never be guaranteed, but FUN can.

You will have a wonderful two days with Penny as she guides you through her favourite processes and as you take steps away from the fear of using standard home based as well as all new supplies to create dynamic designs on your fabrics. Your classroom samples will be the foundation for hand and machine stitching in future projects. 

A detailed supplies list is shared with registrants in plenty of time to gather supplies needed. The facility will allow both indoor and out of doors space for great ventilation and exploration of many diverse experiments with discharge.  Do know that we are committed to the colouration of fabric  in a safe and comfortable environment at this fun filled workshop. Bring a friend and Come Play!!!

Register early as only 18 lucky students will have this time with Penny.

Visit Penny's TANGLEWOOD THREADS blog for all of the inspiration one body could possibly stand! Her archive of blog posts and photos is so very inspirational.

http://tanglewoodthreads.blogspot.ca/

Alice Vander Vennen offers 2014 Workshops Series in Toronto and her Coburg Studio

 

I cannot tell you when I have been more inspired or taken on such as successful journey with design than when I spent a weekend with the skilled and student focused artist ALICE VANDER VENNEN at a recent Fibreworks Kingston Weekend Workshop. Alice is devoted to excellence in her art, and the beauty yet simplicity of the textile works combined with the found objects Alice uses so successfully in her compositions is inspired.

 

Below is a note from Alice about upcoming workshop opportunities for 2014. My advice is to seriously consider making time to be a participant in one of her workshops this year... I will.

Bethany Garner
Fibreworks Coordinator

An Invitation:

With Spring truly just around the corner, we can look forward to new life emerging. What better way to honour that emergence than to create! Seeking to capture that creative spirit, I am pleased to announce three textile art workshops that I have lined up for 2014. As you will see from the attached brochure, one of them is already scheduled for the end of March, in the Distillery District in Toronto. Two more are scheduled for the Fall. I encourage you to book early, as they have filled up quickly in the past.

Here is a brief summary:

"Assembling the Narrative": March 28-30, Toronto

"Assembling Textiles with Found Objects": October 3-4, Cobourg

"The Colour Story": October 31-Nov. 2, Toronto

See the attached brochure for details, and feel free to register here:

http://www.alicevandervennen.ca/prod/workshops.asp

Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Yours, Alice

VERNISSAGE April 4, 2014, 7-9 pm as the Connections Fibre Artists Open "CELEBRATE THE SEVEN"

 

‘Celebrate The Seven’ 

by

Connections Fibre Artists

April 5-June 9, 2014

 

OPENING RECEPTION, Friday, April 4, 2014

7-9 pm

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.

 

WELLINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

Wellington Road 18 between Fergus and Elora, ON

Information:

1-800-663-0750

www.wellington.ca/museum

 

 

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.

 

http://www.connectionsfibreartists.blogspot.ca/

Need a Break...

AS WINTER DOLDRUMS SET IN - COME PLAY...

FIBRE ARTS RETREAT

 February 21-23, 2014

Join friends at  a three day FIBRE ARTS RETREAT February 21- 23^rd, 2014 for those interested in play time during the Cabin Fever days of late February.  This workshop is sponsored by FIBREWORKS KINGSTON and is open to everyone... come for all three days, or choose one or two of the days that are of most interest to you. The workshop weekend will only be cancelled and re-scheduled with fees carried forward to the new date if a blizzard sets in and travel locally would be dangerous. Car pooling with friends is a great idea... so gather a couple of friends and come play!

 

The Retreat Weekend offers 9:30-5 pm each day instruction and will be held at the Odessa Fairgrounds Hall. Students joining Bethany will have a chance to either “do their own thing” with their own projects and guidance/assistance from Bethany, a seasoned fibre artist and Instructor in the Textile Design Program at St. Lawrence College…. OR take part in the three separate “play day” activities Beth has planned…

 

Friday, Feb. 21^st is “INDIGO: an Introduction, (with opportunity to add to the Indigo vats on Saturday and Sunday but no instruction) spending time with this magical dye solution that will forever endear your love of BLUE! There will be three active vats and lots of time to share in the magic of the indigo adventure. Come prepared with stitched and wrapped fabrics, silk, line, cotton.. your choice.

Saturday, February 22^nd is “FLAT DYEING" - a great way to dye fabric and YES it can be done very safely and with terrific results indoors with some care to manage your work site and carry wet fabrics home in a large container for rinsing at a later date. You can dye 1, 2 or 12 metres of fabric in this one day - just bring your pre-washed fabric, ready for Soda Ash soak and PLAY!

Sunday, February 23^rd   is NOTE CHANGE: HAND STITCHING DAY... MARK MAKING using your favourite threads and a fabric of your choice, you will spend a fun day exploring the art of the handmade stitch. Bethany will share some inspiration, and you can just relax among friends creating small pieces of THREAD ART! A relaxing way to spend a Sunday never hurts and we would love to see you.

Take advantage of all three days Feb. 21-23^rd for $120.00 or choose one or even two days. Each single day is $50.00  if you can only do one.  Dyes will be provided.  Supplies list with paid registration.  Please plan to bring Brown Bag lunch. Coffee, tea and break snacks provided.   

Contact Bethany at fibreworkskingston@gmail.com for a pdf descriptive and registration form or visit see the FIBREWORKS KINGSTON Blog for all of the details.

Bethany Garner, FW Coordinator and Registrar

January 15th - AQS Fundraiser launches - hope you will join in the race to RESEARCH.

Dust off your virtual running shoes for the Fiber 5K to Fight Cancer!

A Fundraiser for the American Cancer SocietyOpens January 15, 2014.
Drawings for fiber-related prizes will be held throughout the event
including when the 1K ($1000), 2K ($2000), etc. marks are reached as well as
a Grand Prize drawing when the Finish Line ($5000) is reached.
Details about the Fiber 5K to Fight Cancer:http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/Fiber5K2014.html

A Message from Bethany:

 

I know may of you have ties to family members and friends in the United States, and many more have benefitted from the research services of the American Cancer Society and the breakthroughs in cancer services that have or will be a part of your lives now or in the future. As someone who has had a recent battle with cancer, albeit a less serious form than many of my friends and family, I do support ACS annually in memory of my parents, quilting award winning Grandmother and my older sister, a Breast Cancer victim.

 

Have a peek at the website for Virginia Speigel's FIBRE 5K... you will recognize many big name quilters and fibre artists who have contributed to the prizes in the annual AQS fundraiser. If you feel that you can participate,  just make a minimum donation of $20, but any size up to $25 will be entered in all eligible drawings one time. 

 

If you are able to donate at least $25, you will be entered in all drawings after your donation twice. Donate at least $50 and be entered three times, $75 = 4 entries, and so on in increments of $25. There are also special challenges to encourage you to donate a bit more if it is possible.

 

I love the new line of fabrics from Jamie Fingal that will be a part of the draw offerings from sponsors, a new line from Hoffman Fabrics. Below are the two pieces that Jamie has donated. Those of you who follow the Quiltart.com online list of friends with lots of fibre related advice for us each day will recognize Jamie and her award winning work. So many more opportunities to share your love for fibre and textile art are here for you as you share a little bit with those in need of the very special care only cancer research can ensure.

 

Thanks so much for considering support for the FIBRE 5K fundraiser....

Bethany

Don't you love the colours...at least eight fat quarters in the bundle.




Jamie is famous for her cute quilts that have travel trailers - and this one, "Road Trip,  is made completely with her new line of fabrics.

Come Join on the fun... it is not too late!

DESIGN FOR TEXTILES begins Tuesday evening, 

January 14th at St. Lawrence College, Room 00060, 6 pm-9pm

The winter winds and the ice rain are still in the mix for the month of January, but as we move into this new year, what could be better than an evening out once a week with like-minded friends who love to create new work in studio and on the run using FIBRE as their medium? 

Teaching at St. Lawrence College since 1996, where I began sharing dyeing and fibre collage courses at the Brockville Campus, and moving through the process of proposing a full credit Textile Design program at the Kingston Campus which was accepted with huge support in 2005, the years with my hundreds of fibre friends have been great. Students who have worked through all of the ten required courses in the diploma program and graduated have moved on to create their own small businesses, become members of prestigious arts organizations and display their work in exhibitions locally, across Canada and internationally. Some have become renowned Studio Artists and teach classes widely. They have received recognition for their work from some of the best shows in the industry.

The fun of meeting with friends to expand your knowledge base and try new techniques, and sure, use up some of the stash of fabrics and threads languishing in your closets is just good fun. It is not to late to join us, so contact Student Services at www.SL.on.ca and register for ARTS 43 - Design for Textiles. We start Tuesday, January 14th and I will catch you up if you are late in registering. 12 weeks of fun and new art are promised... all you have to do is join us!