Workshop Opportunity

Independent Art Quilt Workshop

February 28 - March 4, 2016 

(Sunday - Friday)

with Sandra Sider

This workshop is based on the principles of art and design developed in Sandra’s critique workshops and written about in the volumes of her Studio Quilt monograph series. Limited to a maximum of twelve participants, the workshop will allow Sandra to spend considerable amounts of time each day working one-on-one with participants, evaluating their work and suggesting possible directions for developing each quilt. The final day will consist of critiques, with participants sharing and discussing their works in progress.

Quilters should bring a work in progress or materials to begin a new quilt, their sewing supplies and tools, a sewing machine and an iron.  Class is suitable for all levels of quilters, but excellent sewing skills and expertise with one's sewing machine is a must.

For more than ten years Sandra Sider has been known for her critique workshops benefitting quilt artists. She has also taught studio classes in contemporary quilt art, most recently at the Peters Valley School of Craft, and has been a quilt artist and critic since the late 1970s, with works in several public collections.

Sandra is Curator, Texas Quilt Museum, past president of Studio Art Quilt Association, and author of the blog "Textile News," the recently published "1000 Quilt Inspirations: Colorful and Creative Designs for Traditional, Modern, and Art Quilts" as well as articles in many quilt publications. 

Check in is 3-5pm Sunday, February 28, 2016. Dinner is served from 6-7pm, and then we will begin the evening program.  The class ends with lunch on Friday, and you are welcome to enjoy the premises through the afternoon.  

The class will be held in the beautiful new Art Space at Stony Point Center, located about an hour north of New York City: http://stonypointcenter.org

Tuition for the week is $500.   Total cost is dependent on the lodging selected, from $450 to $775.  It does include all meals. To register: www.stonypointcenter.org/quilting

Exhibition by Elizabeth Sylvan

Sumac Summer

Quilted Landscapes: Shades of Summer

By Elizabeth Sylvan

November 2 to December 29

As the year winds down and the air turns chill, fill up on sunlight, warmth, and color. Immerse yourself in the rich vibrant hues of wild meadows, bright gardens, and twilight mountains depicted in Elizabeth's quilted landscape collages.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife 

Regional Office & Gallery

300 Westgate Center Drive

(Behind Staples)

Hadley, MA

Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Saturday/Sunday/Holidays CLOSED

Artist's Reception

Wednesday, November 18

4:30 to 6:00 pm

For more information about Elizabeth's artwork go to, www.SylvanQuilts.com

Member Profile: Michele Leavitt

At the first SAQA meeting I attended I met Michele Leavitt very briefly. I remember thinking after the meeting how I was looking forward to meeting her again and talking more about her work. Although we have yet to meet in person again I feel fortunate to share her answers to a few of my questions with all of you. Please check out her website too: micheleleavitt.com.

When did you start making art quilts?
I started piecing quilt tops as a child of 6 or 7 years. Quilt making is a tradition in my Mom's family for many generations going back.

What is your work like? What styles or techniques do you use?
Experimenting with materials is what I do - so my works contain a variety of construction techniques. However, if is fair to say that a majority of the landscape textile pieces are created with small bits of fabric top stitched to a backing.

Woods Cool

How did you learn the techniques you use? 
Invention is the thing for me - other than how to use a sewing machine and how to construct a basic quilt, I make most of my techniques up to meet a particular need.

Are you working on a particular theme or series now?
After a long series of textile quilt landscapes (12 larger ones in addition to ten 3 X 5's) I have wanted to get back to the more political quilts I made in the past. I am working on a piece that has targets all over, right now.

How do you work? What is your design process?
Oh that's is a tough one. I am not making art works to be recognized or to make sales. I make stuff because I enjoy it challenging myself to expression of a certain concept, a question, and/or a thing of beauty. So I generally start with an idea which can be anything - like a group of interesting colors, or the question can I 'paint' with textiles, I have also dreamt quilt ideas. I believe that the idea is the main thing and everything used to make a piece - techniques, colors, textures and so on - must support the idea. Studio time seems to be primarily spent on construction of the piece. When it is a quilt, I start in the middle and work my way out.

What are your sources of inspiration?
Saunderstown RI where I live is a delightfully beautiful little village along the western coast of Narragansett Bay that 'posed' continuously. Additionally news events inspire me to communicate my responses, and sometime I am just playing. And at times I work to meet a challenge which also brings new ideas and techniques.

Manhasset Bay

What is your studio like and when do you like to work?
My studio is big and bright and fairly messy and I like to work when I can't resist the temptation!

What are your goals or aspirations for your art?
To make everything I create be the best I can do or it doesn't leave the studio.

Solo Exhibition - Wen Redmond

Beyond the Edge: Wen Redmond has opened September 18 and runs through November 15, 2015 at Emporium Framing and Gallery in South Berwick, ME. In this exhibit Redmond explores her chosen medium fabric to see what it can do and to stretch its perception as an art medium. An unusual use of fiber combines painting and digital media.

Wen Redmond exhibits extensively, has received a list of awards, has been included in multiple collections, taught workshops and has been involved with multiple books, TV and video projects. She has been included in the following exhibits: 2015 Quilt National, Ohio; Westbeth Center for Art, NYC; SAQA Celebrating Silver; Fiberart for a Cause; and Gallery Seven, MA. Her work has been included in the following collections: Leaping Point, Purchased by Marvin Fletcher, Quilt National; Elliot at Rivers Edge, Elliot Hospital, Manchester, NH; Delaware Neuroscience Specialists, Delaware.

Leaving Home, Digital Fiber- A nest, one of a kind multi-layered fiber photographs printed on an under collage. Images are printed onto treated natural textiles and other surfaces, combining painting and digital media into a one of a kind art piece.

Emporium Framing and Gallery, LLC
261 Main Street
South Berwick, ME 03908
Phone 207-384-5963
Gallery hours - Mon - Sat, 10 - 6