INSPIRATION: October 2022 by Barbara H.
Halloween is coming. The spiders quietly announce it, wrapping windows and bushes with twenty-four hour construction. My favorite “hangs out” in the dining room window just after dusk, pausing for her pre-packaged dinner, not unlike so many of us. She doesn’t need a microwave.
Online:
Studio Art Quilt Associates Textile Expressions (SAQA Virtual Gallery) “…invited artists to expand their visual vocabulary to convey positive and/or negative emotions…healing, catharsis, rage, joy, acceptance…” Participants from across the globe. https://www.saqa.com/art/online-galleries/textile-expressionism-saqa-virtual-gallery
Textile Museum of Canada the only museum north of the border dedicated to textile arts. They boast a searchable online collection of 15,000 textiles for your investigation. https://textilemuseum.ca/ A wealth of learning resources, among them Sustainable Textile Teach-In Series posted here: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8930052 Must see if you get to Ontario, Canada.
Threads of Power: Lace from the Textilmuseum St. Gallen is on loan to Bard Graduate Center in Manhattan this fall. This renowned Swiss collection traces the origins of 16th century lace, the wealthy that craved it, the women who made it, and modern innovations that have brought it into the 21st century. Best seen in person with your device and headphones to fully appreciate. https://www.bgc.bard.edu/StoryTour A limited selection of objects online. https://www.bgc.bard.edu/exhibitions/exhibitions/118/threads-of-power
Other:
Wiltwyck Quilt Guild: Quilters in the Valley October 8th-9th, 2022 at Cottekill, NY (Ulster County) http://wiltwyckquilters.org/
Korea Society Bojagi Workshop with Wonju Seo, Learn how to make a traditional Korean wrapping cloth, hands-on, miniature version. Most materials will be provided. Tuesday, October 18th at 350 Madison Ave. 24th floor (near E. 45th St.) Must reserve by October 13th. https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1616-bojagi-workshop-with-wonju-seo The Society has released the 4th and final video on their set on Hanbok https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1608-hanbok-the-celebration See website for additional links.
Manhattan Vintage show is on October 14th -15th in Manhattan. Textiles, jewelry, clothing, accessories. https://www.manhattanvintage.com for info and tickets.
Natalya Khorover (Art for Earth’s Sake) is creating an installation for ArtsWestchester’s Social Fabric exhibit as part of the Serious Fun Art Fest in mid-October. Details: https://artswestchester.org/serious-fun-arts-fest/ More about the artist and her work https://www.artbynatalya.com/
Working With Unusual Studio Spaces by Lilo Bowman. Learn more from one of our visitors, via The Quilt Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV-l_YuoHTY
A Modern Mini Challenge: I Used to Be a Shirt by the North Jersey Modern Quilt Guild. Opens Sat. Oct. 1st at the Sally D. Francisco Gallery t Peters Valley School of Craft. Closes Nov. 6th . https://petersvalley.org/exhibitions/a-modern-mini-challenge-i-used-to-be-a-shirt/
The Art of the Reveal exhibits work of NYC Metro Modern Quilt Guild at the Hudson Guild Gallery, 441 W.26th St. NYC through October 13th. Contact jfurlong@hudsonguild.org or 212 760-9837 for details.
Remember to check rules, conditions, dates and times before you visit events. All vary.
So happy the ESQ Harvest Quilt Show tradition is up and running!
Happy Fall, Barbara
INSPIRATION: September 2022 by Barbara H.
INSPIRATION FOR SEPTEMBER — LOOKING TOWARDS FALL
Road trip: The New England Quilt Museum https://www.neqm.org/on-view-index has three exhibits through the beginning of October. “Barbara Brackman’s Hospital Sketches – Applique Quilts Inspired by Civil War Healthcare Workers” caught my eye on a recent blog post. BB and followers created quilts during 2019 in response to her research on Civil War medical care. Fourteen are at NEQM. There is a better photo stream on Brackman’s “Material Culture” blog dated August 19, 2022 at http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com for those unable to hit the road. NEQM also has “Reflections of Light: Recent Works by Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry” and “Every Quilt Tells a Story: New Accessions” on their walls. Fallert-Gentry will be at the museum September 17th, registration opens Sept. 2nd. https://www.neqm.org/calendaritem6
New at FIT: Opening Sept. 1st “Shoes: Anatomy, Identity, Magic” features a mere 300 pairs of footwear, of all kinds, from the permanent collection of 5,000. Lots of visuals on the website. Delightful inspiration for a fun quilt or a friendly challenge! https://www.fitnyc.edu/museum/exhibitions/shoes-2022/featured-shoes/index.php “Dior + Balenciaga: The Kings of Couture and Their Legacies” is in full swing at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Short walk from Penn Station. Always free. Intriguing online collection. www.fitnyc.edu/museum
Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza 2022 is back at Oaks, PA (near Philly) Sept. 15-18th, 2022. https://www.quiltfest.com/upcoming-shows-and-events/pennsylvania-national-quilt-extravaganza Vendors mall. A few spaces in classes, act now. A real sign of impending fall.
Last chance: Met Museum Costume Institute’s “In America; an Anthology of Fashion” ends Sept. 5th. www.metmuseum.orgseum.org “Czech Contemporary Quilt” ends Sept. 1st. https://new-york.czechcentres.cz/en/program/soucasny-cesky-quilt There will be an international exhibit in Brno, Czech Republic April 2023 https://www.bvv.cz/en/ppmbrno/
New York Textile Month has more at https://textilemonth.nyc
Please check websites for schedules and rules for any institution you might visit.
A 911 story: After the attack the senior art teacher in my school invited me to co-chair a school-wide project of engagement to help heal post 9/11. Everyone took time to mourn losses, document struggles, and reaffirm our resolve to move forward together while creating a large quilt. Our magnificent memorial quilt held place of honor in our building, and was exhibited at services, educational meetings, and quilt shows around the region. Our goal to provide a permanent place of honor was finally accomplished this summer. My colleague delivered the quilt to the September 11th National Memorial Museum to become a permanent part of their collection. She dreamt of this for years, and due to her persistence, our communal labor of love is now in a forever home. Thank you, 911 Museum!
Happy Labor Day weekend! Barbara
INSPIRATION: August 2022 by Barbara H.
Stay cool at a museum or gallery:
Met Museum exhibits: “Kimono Style: The John C. Weber Collection” traces the evolution of kimono, 1600s to the 1900s. Through February 2023. For lovers of color “Chroma: Ancient Sculpture in Color” will upend your mental images of Greek and Roman sculpture. Through March 2023. And “Embracing Color: Enamel in Chinese Decorative Arts” ongoing. “In America, A Lexicon of Fashion” continues through Sept. 5. https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions
Museum of Art and Design works “Seeing and Believing” a stained glass installation by Judith Schaechter, seems to reference the work of a famous quilter, whose pieces were inspired by another use of glass. https://madmuseum.org/exhibition/seeing-believing “Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art” remains until August 14th. https://madmuseum.org/exhibition/garmenting-costume-contemporary-art Take a look at the El Anatsui work “Solemne” on their learning page for socially aware art. What materials did he use to create this fluid fiber that tells his story? https://madmuseum.org/learn/soleme-2008 Intrigued? See his “Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works” at the Brooklyn Museum. https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/exhibitions/3275
Vacationing:
Cindy Grisdela has work in several shows in the Washington, D.C. area. See https://cindygrisdela.com for details. Some of her quilts are online at https://mdfedart.com The Textile Museum in D.C. is another worthwhile stop. https://venues.gwu.edu/textile-museum And then there’s the Smithsonian campus…
Ongoing:
Members who signed up for “The Light Challenge” led by Liz Dragone are hard at work. https://www.eveningstarquilters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Project-Light.pdf
Maureen Mitchell has issued a “President’s Challenge” for the guild show, details here: https://www.eveningstarquilters.org/presidents-challenge/
Reuse, mend, and make do! How many of us have Depression grandparents or parents for whom this was a way of life? “Costs of Fast Fashion Fuel a Rise in Thrift Shopping” via experience of Gen Z. https://www.pbs.org/video/thrifting-1658690366/
Have you ever made a quilt for a Queen? “KTUL: Tulsa Quilt Maker Receives Letter from Buckingham Palace” https://ktul.com/news/local/tulsa-quilt-maker-receives-letter-from-buckingham-palace
Czech Center will be showing “Contemporary Quilt” through Sept. 2. Worth the trip! https://new-york.czechcentres.cz/en/program/soucasny-cesky-quilt
Looking forward:
New York Textile Month VII is on the horizon. Happy to see this annual event deepen and widen. The archaeology of textiles and a designer interview both caught my imagination, more to come. While aimed at professionals, I always learn something from artists, museums, educators, or manufacturers who participate. Stay posted for September 2022. Sign up at https://www.textilemonth.nyc/
Fall holidays are always a stimulus for cozy quilts in the colors of the season and, of course, the fun of Halloween. Seems to be tons of scary/cute fabric this year that has actually arrived before the fall. I’m following Kimberley at Fat Quarter Shop constructing the “Boo Crew Mystery Quilt” online. Fabric from Me and My Sister is a favorite that makes me smile on the darkest of days. https://blog.fatquartershop.com/boo-crew-mystery-quilt-and-stitch-along/
The Hyde Collection in Glen Falls NY will host the “Wall Power” exhibit from the American Folk Art Museum beginning October 8th. https://www.hydecollection.org/exhibition/wall-power-spectacular-quilt-from-the-american-folk-art-museum/ Leaf peeping, anyone?
For those of you looking/working way ahead, Brita Nelson https://questioningquilter.com/ just dropped a perfect Christmas pattern, aptly named “Christmas in July…” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VXM1n1-Mfo Subtle outdoorsy prints or snow fabrics might be fun. What would you try?
Remember to check on schedules and health rules at each site. Some galleries are requesting online reservations. Have a relaxing August! Barbara