Notes from August SAQA Oregon Portland Parlor Meeting

Here's a report from Elizabeth Bamberger summarizing the August 15 Portland SAQA Parlor Group meeting:

 We had a good meeting of our local SAQA group on August 15th. We were a rather smaller group than usual - about 15 people attending - probably due to summer travel etc., but as usual we enjoyed some lively discussion. Many thanks to Jan Story for bringing delicious home-baked goodies, and to Mary Ann McCammon for sharing super-fresh produce from her garden.

Mary Ann McCammon also gave us an excellent presentation of the Rhythm as a Design Principle, with many varied examples and a useful list of references. Thanks, Mary Ann!

Various people had attended the current one-person show by Regina Benson at the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg, and came back full of enthusiasm for an outstanding show and lecture by the artist. If you missed it, it's still there until Sept. 29, and on Sept. 29 Regina Benson will give a talk on her work from 1 to 2 p.m (reservations required). Details at: www.chehalemculturalcenter.org.

We critiqued various pieces made by members. I for one found the critique of one of my pieces very useful; sometimes by the time I have finished a piece, I can no longer view it objectively, and a review by fresh eyes and minds trained in critique methodology can be enlightening.

Betty reminded us that our pieces for the "Referencing" challenge are due at the October meeting. This led to a discussion of possible themes for future challenges. For example, challenges considered by the Central Oregon SAQA group include Whisper quilts, and pieces inspired by photos taken on field trips to a junkyard. Various members expressed interest in exploring similar challenges. Bonnie raised the point that although challenges are popular, they can be a distraction from the more important work we do as serious fiber artists, particularly since most of us do not have unlimited time for our work. It was suggested that those interested in working on challenges might create a small group specifically to pursue this idea.

Betty announced that Trisha Hassler currently has a large one-person show of her work at the Waterstone Gallery in the Pearl. She has invited our group to visit the show and hear her speak about her work at 2 p.m. on Wednesday September 12. Since the CFG quarterly meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 midday (at the Colossae Church), this would give our group members who are interested time to have lunch and get to the gallery by 2 p.m. It's a great opportunity for us to learn more about the current work and plans of this artist. Details will soon be posted at http://saqaoregon.blogspot.com. Information about the exhibit and its location is also available at Waterstone Gallery and Trisha Hassler.

Other current or upcoming events flagged by members included:
- Oregon Women's Caucus for the Arts show at the Singer Hill Cafe, 623 7th St, in Oregon City (Chris Brown and Shirley MacGregor are involved with this). The opening reception is on Sept. 15 from 2.30 to 5.30 p.m.

- Kathy Goetz is giving a presentation on How to Print Images on Fabric using a regular computer and printer, at the Surface Design meeting on Wednesday Sept. 5th from 10 a.m. to 12 midday at the Mill End store in Beaverton.

- Helene Knott's one-person show at the Latimer Textile Center was also mentioned, but according to their website this show closed on August 2nd.

A joint exhibition in Bend in August by Jean Wells and Judy Hoiness: "When Paint and Fabric Merge". Details at www.atelier6000.org/?p=3259.

Betty and I scrambled to note down all the information you gave us about these events. Please, in future, either bring all info about events in writing to meetings, if you would like them to be included in meeting notes, or send details to Bonnie Bucknam for inclusion in the SAQA Oregon website.

Very few people sent in suggestions for future local meeting activities, so for the time being, it will be plan-as-we-go. All suggestions welcome!

Our next regular meeting will be on October 17th at 10 a.m. Details will follow later.

Lots to do and see!