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Guild Programs for 2012 - 2013
The guild meets from 9:30 am-12:00 pm on the second Wednesday of the month, September through June [no meeting in December]. We gather at the First Baptist Church, 175 Allen’s Creek Rd. in Pittsford, NY. The church social hall opens at 9:00 a.m. for fellowship and access to the library. The programs listed below follow the business meeting.
Guild Meeting May 8, 2013
"A Felting Journey" with Andrea Graham
www.andrea-graham.com
Andrea Graham is a feltmaker and educator residing in rural Ontario with her husband and three sons. She is the Canadian coordinator for the International Feltmakers Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Crafts Council.
"Using both traditional nomadic and modern feltmaking techniques, wool fibre is magically transformed. Felted wool is traditionally created with wool fibre, soap and water. Alternately, a single barbed needle borrowed from industrial felting machines can be used as a sculpting tool, entangling the scales on the wool fibres creating felted fibre. These techniques together allow for endless possibilities.
In my current work, ambiguous sculptures express the paradox of living organisms: strength and fragility, persistence and surrender, liberation and containment. Open wounds and haphazard sutures serve as metaphor for the victimization of our environment as a result of our consumer culture.
In the cycle of growth and decay, resilience is silently expressed. Curious sculptural form awakens a sense of wonder in the potential of the smallest seed and organism for either success or failure. It is this precarious state and the need to nurture and protect that I wish the viewer to explore as they consider revisiting their consumer practices. The use of wool and the alchemy of feltmaking in the execution of my art allow me to use a sustainable material which is both consistent with my message and the organic nature of my work."
Guild Workshop May 8-10, 2013:
"3-D Exploration in Felting" with Andrea Graham
Andrea is passionate about sharing the complexities of handmade felt through her teaching. In this workshop, members will build their felting skills! Participants will learn to make vessels and add 3-D elements and surface design--as samples or works of art. For experienced felters and a few enthusiastic beginners.
Earlier programs during our year:
Guild Meeting September 12, 2012
Jappie King Black
“A Career Retrospective”
www.kingblack.com
Jappie is a sculptor and installation artist who uses natural materials [some from her own woods] in her work. She will talk about her current work, and how her work has evolved.
"The sources of ritual art in so-called ‘primitive’ cultures have always interested me. Some of my work is about storytelling, legends and mythology. I have great respect for ancient artifacts. The spiritual power in the objects themselves fascinates me.
The trees in the woods behind my house are being taken over by the wild grapevines like kudzu in the deep South. I collect vine and bark, harvesting it all year, to use in my sculptures and installations.
Like most artists, the concepts behind my work are personal. However, I expect my work to speak about nature, metamorphosis, time, loss and the handmade object.” JKB
Guild Meeting October 10, 2012
“Costuming for Production”
Amanda Dougherty is manager of the GeVa Theater costume shop. She [or her alternate: Tom White] will talk about costuming for the theater. She will share with us how costumes are developed for a GeVa production.
Road Trip and Mill Tour: October 17, 2012
“A Tour by Rabbit Goody of Thistle Hill Weavers”
Rabbit Goody spoke to the Guild in September 2011. We will take a bus to Pleasant Valley to tour her mill. She'll provide a guided tour of how her mill makes historically accurate fabrics for period homes, museums and Hollywood movies. www.thistlehillweavers.com
Guild Meeting November 14, 2012
“Surviving as a Rug Weaver” by Jason Collingwood
www.rugweaver.co.uk
With over 24 years experience as a professional rug weaver, Jason has produced 1000's of rugs for corporate and individual clients the world over. He will share insights into his profession.
In addition to weaving custom made rugs jason offers a comprehensive range of rug weaving classes, either at his workshop in the UK, or in numerous worldwide locations.
Workshop November 14 - 17, 2012
“Three-End Block Weave” Workshop with Jason Collingwood.
Starting with simple two colour designs and moving on to designing within the blocks and the introduction of a third colour.
Techniques such as clasped wefts and dovetailing will be looked at to further increase the design scope of this structure.
2 / 1 double faced twill will also be covered in this class.
Special emphasis will be placed on Shaft Switching, every one being able to adapt their looms in class to try out this exciting technique.
Guild Meeting January 9, 2013
“The Art of Dollmaking” with Deborah Pope
deborahcpope.typepad.com
A fiber artist from Williamson, NY specializing in feltmaking and a member NIADA since 2008.
Deborah has had a life-long interest in art and a fascination with fabric. Educated at RIT in painting, photographic processes & printmaking, she has also traveled extensively. From learning to knit she became curious about true felt and began a journey in feltmaking with a unique mastery of technique, color and design. Her imaginative felted fantasy creatures, art dolls, wearables and accessories have been featured in books, conferences, festivals and exhibits. She freely shares her extensive knowledge, teaching in the U.S. and Canada.
Guild Meeting February 13, 2013
"Historic Japanese Kimono" presented by Leslie Mendelson
Guild member Leslie Mendelson lived in Japan for several years and acquired a notable collection of Japanese kimono. This will be the last presentation of the collection before it is given to a museum. Join Leslie to learn about the culture of kimono and enjoy a hands on view of these exquisite garments.
Guild Meeting March 13, 2013
"Fiber Vessels" with Raphaela McCormack
www.raphaelamccormack.com
"I was born in the West of Ireland and I lived there until my late twenties. This land is always in me and my work is inspired by it.
The vast ocean, the barren land with it’s bent trees, the wind, sending clouds racing across the big skies, the brown bogs, stretching as far as the eye can see, gray stone walls surrounding a field, a landscape in a gap between two stones, the ancient mountains, cloaked in sweet smelling gorse, live in my bones.
Initially, my soul is touched by a moment in my current life. As I reflect on this, Ireland’s textures, colours, materials and forms provide the language to capture the meaning of this experience. I then create my vessels in accordance with this root language. I use pulp, fibre, rope, cord, driftwood, stones, seed pods and other detritus. I create colours of lichen, the sky and the earth.
Vessels are my major form. I am compelled by the meaning I observe in the relationships of the world. The vessel provides an ideal vehicle to explore these relationships, particularly between the inner and the outer worlds. This choice allows me to embark on a journey with each idea. For me, this is a dance between creator and created. When the vessel transcends my initial idea, my journey is complete and the vessel is ready to continue it’s journey beyond me."
Guild Meeting April 10, 2013
"Contemporary Works" by Anne Fisher
www.annemfischer.com
Anne first learned to sew when she was 12 years old. As a teen, she made most of her own clothes. She has always been fascinated with the colors and textures of fabric and yarns. Over the years, her creative adventures have taken her from art quilting back to her early passion of creating clothing that is unique and fun to wear. All of her designs are meant to be easy to wear and easy to care for (No dry cleaning required!)
Anne lives in the Finger Lakes surrounded by forests. Her work with fiber captures the colors and textures she observes during her daily walks in the woods. She uses hand dyed fabrics, wool, and thread to capture the graceful lines, subtle colors and textures that she observes in nature. Many of Anne’s pieces have a nature theme and a very organic character. Her art, whether wearable or a quilt, is characterized by the harmonious use of earth tones and rich texture.
In addition to clothing and art quilts, she makes functional pieces including fabric jewelry, purses, and scarves.
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