Bonnie Bucknam Awarded Best of Show at Quilt National 2011

Crater by Bonnie M. Bucknam (81" w x 60" h)

Photos by Mark Frey

Bonnie Bucknam's quilt Crater was named Best of Show at the May 27th opening of Quilt National 2011 in Athens, Ohio.  The exhibition is at the Dairy Barn Arts Center through September 5, 2011.  It will then tour the country for approximately two years.  You can see some photos of the installation at the Dairy Barn's Facebook page.  You can order a catalog of the shop from the Dairy Barn Shop or Amazon.

Betty Colburn's Work in Three Exhibits

Biblical Origins of Racism by Betty Colburn

Betty Colburn's Biblical Origins of Racism is included in the exhibit, "The Unspoken Truth About Color: A Dialogue in Art Quilts About Racism." The exhibit opened April 29, 2011 at the ARC Gallery, Chicago, Illinois,  and will continue through May 22, 2011. "The Unspoken Truth" examines one of the most complex and seldom discussed issues in our culture today: racism. In this exhibit, members of Fiber Artist for Hope have created pieces based on their personal experiences. This exhibit will travel with the Mancuso quilt shows this year.

Obama Drafted for NBA by Betty Colburn

Betty's quilt Obama Drafted for NBA is included in Carolyn Mazloomi's exhibition and book "Journey of Hope: Quilts Inspired by President Barack Obama". The exhibit opened on May 5, 2011 at the Du Sable Museum of African American History, Chicago, Illinois. The exhibit was previously shown in Ohio and will travel to Atlanta and Boston.

Unlimited Sky Power by Betty Colburn

 Unlimited Sky Power, also by Betty, is currently included in the Quilts Inc. exhibit "The Sky is the Limit".

Oregon: State of Diversity Finishes Successful Run at Heritage Station Museum in Pendleton

SAQA member and volunteer Nancy Kibbey was kind enough to deliver and pick up our exhibit in Pendleton, where it had a highly successful run at the Heritage Station Museum. Nancy gave a presentation about art quilts on the last day of the run. After she returned home, she sent us the following information, which she has agreed we might share with you all.

Quilt by Catherine Beard

"I was impressed by the efficiency of the staff and volunteers who took the show down. Several people matched quilt bags to the hanging pieces so the bag and the quilt went together to the tables where others were rolling them up and "packaging" them. I heard remarks from the volunteers about how helpful the pictures on the outside of the bags were. Usually when I'm involved with the take-down of a show, the volunteers are quilters, but that wasn't the case here, and I could see the process through new eyes. I have a couple of suggestions that will make our shows in the future more "professional:"

Bags of one color - white or off-white muslin. No prints, and NO plastic bags; see-through or opaque. A plastic zip-lock bag can be sewn to the outside of the bag (not where it will be scrunched when the bag is cinched shut) with a picture of the quilt on it.

Bags should match the size of the rolled up quilt, completely covering its full length. Not too wide; not too tight --- just right!

Velcro or ties to secure the top of the bag, but NO long dangling ties or long dangling tags.

The name of the quilter PROMINENTLY displayed on the bag, where it will not be obscured when the bag is cinched shut. The name of the quilt PROMINENTLY displayed on the hanging rod, the roll (pool noodles are good), on any "extra" parts that accompany the quilt. If you tie the quilt inside the bag, mark the ties, too. (Better yet; make a bag that fits properly, and you don't have to tie the quilt.)"

Laura and I want to thank Nancy for taking the time to write this up. We would like to add that your quilt bag is probably not the best place for you to express your creativity. Please keep in mind the purpose of the bag and those volunteers (quilters or not) who put in the time putting up and taking down our exhibits. I have used prints for bags; Nancy pointed out to me that it makes it that much harder to see the photo. I have learned from this; thanks, Nancy. We WELCOME your comments.......

Sandra Sider Critiques

On April 17th-18th the President of SAQA, Dr. Sandra Sider, held three critique sessions in Portland. Each participant (28 total, as some had to cancel) brought one piece; unfinished or not, to be critiqued and analyzed. Throughout the sessions, Sandra stressed the elements of art and design when working on our art quilts. She gave everyone a handout and told us to consciously count how many elements were well-represented in our work. This was eye-opening. She began each critique by hearing what the artist had in mind and/or hoped to accomplish with the work. She then pointed out the successful elements of the piece, and then opened a dialogue with the artist: what part was their favorite? where had they had the most trouble? what was their biggest question about the piece? and so on. She pointed out what she felt might have been handled differently to strengthen the piece, often referring back to those basic art and design principles to reinforce her comments. Finally, she opened the discussion to the group as a whole, and everyone had a chance to comment on the piece. We heard nothing but positive comments after each session, and many said they learned just by watching the critique of other pieces. Some of the changes suggested for the works were truly jaw-dropping in their effectiveness.


The good news is that Sandra wants to return to hold more sessions in the fall of 2012, and we will work with incoming reps Jean Wells Keenan and Betty Daggett to make that happen. We hope that those who were unable to participate this time will have the chance to do so next year, and we're also pretty certain that some people will sign up to repeat their positive experience.

Our thanks to Sandra, to SAQA member Gerrie Congdon who graciously hosted her, and to Geri Grasvik, owner of The Pine Needle in Lake Oswego, for hosting the sessions. And to all who brought their work and put it up at the front of the room!