"Cash Crop" Exhibit by Stephen Hayes

Greetings All,
I love this youngman's story and art and had to share it. I hope that you will feel the same.

Stephen Hayes, A Native of Durham, North Carolina has been working at some form of artistic expression his entire life. He earned a BFA from North Carolina Central University as well as an MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. His exhibition, Cash Crop, is comprised of fifteen life-size relief sculptures of former slaves that serve as a symbolic representation of the fifteen million Africans imported to the New World from 1540 to 1850

Kwanzza Celebration

Greetings All,
Kwanzaa Celebration Ife Felix in conversation with Faith Ringgold Dec 29, 2011 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Faith Ringgold's Bearden We Love You (above), 2011 Courtesy ACA Galleries, New York .

As we kick-off a series of community quilting workshops during Target Free Sundays, join quilt and fiber artist Ife Felix in conversation with Faith Ringgold as they explore the history and significance of quilting as a collaborative activity. In celebration of the Kwanzaa principal Kuumba, which means creativity, we invite you to participate in the creation of a community quilt.

In January, artist Ife Felix will lead a series of quilting workshops, during which you can contribute to the quilt. Interested in participating? Here's what to do: - Select a 5x7" fabric swatch that represents you, your family, or your community - Enclose the swatch in a Ziploc bag with an index card listing the following information: •Your name •A phone number and/or email address at which you can be reached •One or two sentences about the fabric swatch you chose, and how it represents your community. You can deliver your fabric submission in person to the Studio Museum's lobby desk Sunday-Wednesday, 10am-6pm, or Thursday-Friday 10am-9pm.

You may also mail your fabric submission to: The Studio Museum in Harlem c/o Education Department 144 W125th Street New York, New York 10027

We will be accepting submissions for the next two weeks (Monday, December 12th to Friday, December 31st, 2011), so be sure to drop off or mail your fabric swatch as soon as you can. We look forward to receiving your fabric swatches and thank you for sharing with us!

CCNY 1st Cultural Arts Arward - Faith Ringgold - 2011

Greetings All,
Faith Ringgold to Receive CCNY’s First Cultural Arts Award Artist, CCNY Alumna to be Honored October 6 with Ceremony, Quilt Exhibit Faith Ringgold, renowned artist, author and quilt maker to be honored by CCNY.

Faith Ringgold, the renowned artist, author and quilt maker has been selected to receive The City College of New York’s First Annual Cultural Arts Award. An alumna of City College, she will be honored at a ceremony Thursday, October 6, at CCNY’s Aaron Davis Hall Center for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Ms. Ringgold is the first recipient of the award, which recognizes those who have made substantial contributions to the world through the cultural arts including visual, literary, music, performance and community. It has been introduced by City College President Dr. Lisa S. Coico to strengthen the bonds between the institution and the community at large through the arts. Ms. Ringgold is a Harlem native.

“The City College is immensely proud to be honoring one of its own, an internationally acclaimed artist, writer and activist who has touched many around the world,” said President Coico. “Faith Ringgold is a uniquely talented woman in whom her Alma Mater continues to rejoice.”

A commemorative quilt exhibition “In Honor of Faith Ringgold,” in the Aaron Davis Hall Gallery is a free and open to the public. Curated by Dr. Myrah Brown Green, a master quilter who is also executive director of art and culture at CCNY, who described Ms. Ringgold as an artist of uncommon ability and an inspiration to generations of artists. “She has excelled in the various art forms that she’s pursued, earning recognition worldwide. It is our privilege here at The City College to celebrate her life and accomplishments.” Below is a slide-show of the quilts. Enjoy;-)

Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to All. I just want to say that I appreciate your stopping by my blog and checking me out. See you in the New Year and much love.
Trish Williams

Pieces of the Week (Oct/Nov/Dec).

Greetings All,
Sorry it's been a while since I posted any "Pieces of the Week", here are a couple. Last week I completed a small piece that was inspired by some fabrics that were given to me by my friend Judy Coats Perez. I love the hand-dyed nylon/cotton background fabric and the bottom part of this piece was already pieced and in the bag of goodies. So a new piece was created titled "The Shadow of a Man" and I think that a new series will be born:-)
I created a long duster type coat (below) of purples for "Purple Nancy" down in the Carolina's in October and I hope that she's enjoying it as much as I did in creating it. I know that I must create one for myself. Flow on Purple Nancy.

For November I covered an old chair and made a table topper for a friend who was creating a scared space for her participants in a project that she's volunteering in for ex-offenders and since purple represents the highest form of spirituality and I had some upholstery fabric that another friend had given me I used it in this project. Thank you Michele Hardman.

So I have been busy, but not posting and I do hope/pray that you all will have a great/safe holiday.

Fabric Artist/Art Quilter Ramona Linsdey

Greetings All,
Fabric artist/art quilter Ramona Lindsey has been very busy with her new career as a fabric artist/art quilter. Getting laid-off from Chicago Public Schools as a teacher was the best thing to jump start her life as an artist. Since September of this year, she has hosted a solo exhibit, been a semi-finalist in a national fine art competition, been selected for the SAQA IL/WI Stitches in Science exhibit, lectured & presented at the Fine Art of Fiber, and been selected to participate in Columbia College's Teaching Artist Development Studio.

The competition was sponsored by the A.R.I.S.E. Entrepreneur Program. The program required each participant to attend 7 weekly classes and complete a detailed business plan with financials and marketing plan during the same 7 week period. At the end of the 7 weeks each business was required to set-up an exhibit at a business expo with approximately 3000 attendees. Their plans and exhibits were judged by a panel.

She was the only visual artist competing out of a group of about 65 small businesses. So you know she was also the only fabric artist. People in her class knew nothing about art quilting and very little about quilting in general. Well, she's proud to announce that she was the first place winner of the A.R.I.S.E. Entrepreneur Program. She received a prize valued at over $10,000 which included cash and professional services to support her fabric art business. One goal of her business is to continue her efforts to elevate fabric art into the realm of fine art. I believe this award is the first in many steps towards achieving that goal.
I'm so very proud to know her and look forward to her advancement. For more information you can check our her website at www.ramonadlindseyartist.com

Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts

Greetings All,
Here's a video interview of Shelley Brucar at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts about the exhibits of FAC members. Thank you Shelley for doing such a great job.
Enjoy;-)

FAC at the Schaumburg Prairie Center

Greetings All,

FIBER ARTISTS COALITION presents two traveling exhibits, “Some Like It Hot” and “13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, IL. The show runs November 1 through November 27. Fiber Artists Coalition is a group of Midwestern textile artists who are also professional artist members of Studio Art Quilt Associates. These artists have joined together to promote the art quilt by bringing this exciting art form to the public through traveling art exhibits.

The works of Fiber Artists Coalition are not bed quilts, but art works created from commercial fabrics as well as many uniquely designed fabrics. Some of the techniques FAC members use are: dyeing, painting, stamping, printing, batik, shibori, discharge, embellishment, collage, and assemblage. Most of their works are hand or machine stitched, adding additional texture and design.

Fiber is organic, and fiber art is vibrant, alive, warm and inviting. You are invited to share the artists’ enthusiasm for this unique medium. For more information: Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 847-895-3600.

Chicago Artists Month-2011

Greetings All,
Please mark your calendar and join us in celebration Switching Station Artist Lofts presents 8th Annual Open House / Open Studios
Saturday & Sunday, October 15-16, 2011 12:00-6:00pm

Artists at Switching Station Artist Lofts open their doors to the public only once a year in October. Easy to find near the Garfield Park Conservatory, we are proud to be in an area that is quickly becoming a hotspot for art and artists. Join us in celebrating the uniqueness of our artists and our space, a former telephone switching station and school, redesigned by Artspace of Minneapolis. Visit open studios, exhibits, and performances in this artist live/work community, which supports painting, photography, book & paper arts, printmaking, sculpture, installation, multi-media, spoken-word, theatre, dance and music. We are a growing resource for collectors, designers, corporations and home owners. Come see what all the excitement is about. Admission is free.

Switching Station Artist Lofts is a proud participant in the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s special event, openhousechicago.

SSAL 8th Annual Open House / Open Studios is part of Chicago Artists Month 2011, the sixteenth annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture.

For more information, visit www.openhousechicago.org and http://www.chicagoartistsmonth.org/.

******************* East Garfield Park Art Walk*******************

We participate in the East Garfield Park Art Walk, which offers the public access to artists’ private home studios, repurposed industrial buildings and avenues of art. Start at Switching Station Artist Lofts for a self-guided tour. Admission is free!

Switching Station Artist Lofts 15 S. Homan (Homan at Madison)
Albany Carroll Open Studios 319 N. Albany
West Carroll Open Studios 3200 W. Carroll
Andrea Jablonski 3310 W. Carroll
3311 Carroll Artist Building 3311 W. Carroll
Art on the Boulevards Franklin Blvd. from Sacramento to Central Park
Gold Dome, Garfield Park 100 S. Central Park [sculpture on the lawn]
Plus numerous community murals and installations throughout the area.

Sheldon - Ties Than Bind: Art Quilts - Video

Greetings All,
Here is a video of the exhibit at the Sheldon and I hope that you enjoy it and if you are in the area do go see the exhibit. Enjoy:-)

Sheldon The Ties That Bind: Art Quilts from Dickson Beall on Vimeo.

1st Cultural Arts Awards Ceremony honoring Faith Ringgold

The Keeper of the City.

Greetings All,
My piece (The Keeper of the City-above) Will be a part of an exhibit at The City College of New York Office of Government and Community Affairs Presents the 1st Annual Cultural Arts Awards Ceremony honoring Faith Ringgold, author, fine artist, quilt maker and CCNY Alumna on Thursday October 6, 2011 at Aaron Davis Hall Center for the Performing and Visual Arts West 135th Street at Convent Avenue, New York, NY

A commemorative quilt exhibition curated by Dr. Myrah Brown Green
featuring quilters from across North America opens with a reception at 5:00 pm in the Aaron Davis Hall Gallery. Award ceremony immediately follows at 6:30 pm in the Marian Anderson Theatre. Quilt show closes December 1, 2011. Special presentation of bronze sculpture designed by master sculptor Otto Neals in honor of Ms. Ringgold.
Music by “Rafik and Friends” featuring CCNY student, Charnae Betton.

Featured Quilt Artists:
Gwen Aqui
Carol Beck
Sherry Boram
Bisa Butler
Marion Coleman
Carolyn Crump
Adrienne Cruz
Ife Felix
L’Merchie Frazier
Marjorie Freeman
Carole Harris
Laura Gadson
Sylvia Hernandez
Peggie Hartwell
Sonji Hunt
Shani Jamila
Jacqueline Johnson
Arlene Kweli Jones
Viola Burley Leak
Cynthia Lockhart
Carolyn L. Mazloomi
Dindga McCannon
Sherry Whetstone McCall
Pixil Ladies Deb Cashatt & Kris Sazaki
Susan Sato
Latifah Shakir
Carole Staples
Rita Strickland
Valerie White
Trish Williams
Sauda Zahra

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Myrah Brown Green
mbgreen@ccny.cuny.edu
P: 212-650-5361 F: 212-650-6415
FREE Event

The Lynch Quilts Project

Greetings All,
Help heal America's racial past and its contemporary effects, join with individuals of all backgrounds from across the country (international too!) and sew with The Lynch Quilts Project. The Lynch Quilts Project, is a community-based art work which explores the history and ramifications of racial violence, specifically lynching in the United States, through the textile tradition of quilting. At the core of this project, is a healing ritual, which DEPENDS UPON the hands of the community to help reclaim and heal this history. As such, the Project must be realized through the efforts of many hands and many hearts. So please, help us fight old hidden intolerance and heal these historical and contemporary wounds in America's side. For more information on how to participate, please visit www.TheLynchQuiltsProject.com

LaShawnda Crowe Storm

Moving On Update.

Greetings All,

I'm moving on uo to the east-side of Garfield Park and I've been busy packing, throwing away and giving away. It has been a long haul, but I lost my home to foreclosure, and I'm moving to the "Switching Station Artist Lofts". My new space is all about arts, actors, dancers, musician, painters, writers, etc. Creativity flows throughout and I'm excited about the possibilities of where this part of the my journey called life is going to take me.

In 1999, the City of Chicago invited Artspace to determine the merits of a potential live/work project in the Garfield Park neighborhood on the city's West Side. The focus of the investigation was the Roentgen School, built in 1906 as a telephone switching station. With its high ceilings, large windows, and central courtyard, the Roentgen was an ideal candidate for Artspace's first Chicago project.

Four years and $5.3 million later, the Roentgen School reopened as the Switching Station Artist Lofts. The building wraps entirely around its paved courtyard, which serves residents as a private gathering place and a safe play area for children. Other amenities include off-street parking, a fenced-in play area on the building's sunny south side, and a lower level suitable for meetings and other events. Apartments on the building's upper floors afford fine views of Garfield Park to the north and the downtown Chicago skyline to the east.

Innovation in Textiles - 9

Greetings All,
Here's an update on coming exhibits. Save Darfur (below left) and Where Dancers Go (right) are a part of an exhibit that will be at the Sheldon Gallery in St. Louis, MO as a part of The Ties that Bind: Art Quilts by Members of the Fiber Artists Coalition
September 16 – December 3, 2011.


This exhibition presents a selection of quilted works by members of the Fiber Artists Coalition, in conjunction with the citywide biennial Innovations in Textiles celebration, now in its 9th year.

Included in the exhibition are works by Pat Bishop, Kathie Briggs, Jennifer Conrad, Clairan Ferrono, Linda Witte Henke, Kasia, Peg Keeney, Pat Kroth, Edna Patterson-Petty, Casey Puetz, Gwyned Trefethen, Laura Wasilowski, Maggie Weiss and yours truely Trish Williams.

Innovations in Textiles is a citywide, collaborative event in St. Louis, MO, that investigates the state of contemporary textile arts.

Hot Jazz update

Greetings All,
Here's number 3 in the Hot Jazz series from my resent play-date. I love silhouettes and I can't say that enough. I love the simplicity of these pieces and the colors and I hope that you do too. Now I'm off to make quilt sandwiches so that when time will permit I will be ready to complete the process as I listen to some cool/hot jazz while working.

Updates.

Greetings All,
Today I had a play-date with members of the "Sew What Art Quilters" (suburban chapter) and we met in Naperville, IL for fun/lunch. We had so much fun that I forgot to take pictures.

However I do have photos of the work that I did. I over painted some fabrics that I had dyed a while back using freezer paper to create the silhouettes and I got this idea from another fabulous Yasmin Sabur. I used freezer paper the last time that we met, but in a diffrent way and there is one more piece in this series and then we shall move on. Enjoy;-)

Lunch was served on the deck overlooking a beautiful garden and I didn't take any pictures of it either. But the food was good and there was a wonderful zucchini bread for dessert and I didn't take any pictures of that as well. I was not in a good picture mode, but I had a great time.

Piece of the Week - Bronze Beauty

Greetings All,

Here's the other jacket in this trio and titled "The Bronze Beauty". It was washed to create a more distress/raveled look and I like it so much, I washed the other two. I love raw-edged applique, fraying, and the softness that washing adds these garments or quilts. Plus you don't have to iron it if you don't want to, just wash, dry, and wear.

I have enough red chiffon to create another, but this first group are on their way down state to see how they are receive.

Pieces of the Weeks

Greetings All,
The Rhapsody in Blues jacket (below) was the piece of this week and it was created along with others as a challenge to myself. Some one asked me if I ever made lighter weight jacket and my reply was no. I saw that as a call to create and I love strip piecing, so off I went to my stash to see what I could see. The fabrics included are my hand dyed cotton, gifted fabrics and purchased yard goods.

Below my "Crimsons Tide" jacket was created last week and it is the first in this series. Yes I do know that I there are other colors involved, but the overall color dictated the names. The jackets are foundation piece onto chiffon and this point I can't conceive of pockets, but I'm working on it. The jackets are created in the kimono style because I wanted them to flow as the wearer moves.

.

13 Ways to View a Blackbird

Greetings All,
The Northville Art House is pleased to present “13 Ways to View a Blackbird" an art quilt show featuring of work by artists from across the midwest that are members of the Fiber Artist Coalition. Inspired by the Wallace Stevens’ poem with the same name, the exhibit “13 Ways to View a Blackbird” is a vibrant and thought provoking collection by the Fiber Artists Coalition, a group of professional artists from the upper midwestern United States.

Opening reception at the Northville Art House is Friday - August, 2011 from 6 - 9 pm.

215 W. Cady Street, Northville, MI 48167

Exhibition runs through August 27, 2011. The gallery hours are 1:00 - 5:00 pm Wednesday - Saturday.

Remarkable Women Show - Peltz Gallery

Greetings All,
You are invited to the Peltz Gallery 21st Annual “Remarkable Women Show” 2011
Paintings, collage, original prints, quilts & small sculpture by more than 40 women artists.

Amy Arntson, Suzanne Caporael, Squeak Carnwath, Allison B. Cooke, Joeann Daley, Lesley Dill, Lee Ann Garrison, Chrystal Denise Gillon, Michele Gutierrez, Sharon Kerry-Harlan, Martha Hayden, Peregrine Honig, Sonji Hunt, Jayne Reid Jackson, Anne Kingsbury, Kay Knight, Karen Kunc, Diane Levesque, Hung Liu, Barbara Manger, Jiha Moon, Frances Myers, Amy Newell, Gladys Nilsson, Judy Pfaff, Linda Plotkin, JoAnna Poehlmann, Marilyn Propp, Glenda Puhek, Carol S. Pylant, Kathleen Raash, Alison Saar, Stephanie C. Selle, Hollis Sigler, Cheryl Olson-Sklar, Jeanette Pasin Sloan, Barbara Kohl Spiro, Christine Style, Evelyn Patricia Terry,Leslie Vansen, Kara Walker, Della Wells, Trish Williams and more!

Peltz Gallery is locate 1119 E. Knapp Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202
Reception & Opening Friday, July 29th 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 30th Gallery’s 22nd Birthday Celebration 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Artists’ Memories
For more information you may call 414-223-4278 or email: peltzgallery@sbcglobal.net My piece The Other Side of the Creek (above) will be a part of this exhibit.

ELCA Gathering 2011

Greetings All,

For 4 days I was in Spokane Washington with a group of 2100 women of the ELCA (the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and I worked in the in-kind venue where we made quilts for Lutheran World Relief and we created 80 twin size quilts for this effort during the gathering and many more have/will be sent in from congregations across the country. Here's a slide-show of some of what happened.

This wonderful person below stayed all day to learn how to put together one of the quilts. She's a 58 year old women who had never quilted before and was so excited by the process. She will be taking this knowledge back to her community too share with them and we were glad to be a part of her learning how to create her first, but not her last quilt.

The women also created an art quilt exhibit that focus on the theme of the convention, Renew, Respond, and Rejoice! Enjoy;-)

Tiny Treasures

Greetings All,

Well the final piece in this group of "Tiny Treasure" changed it's theme. I had no control over what it became. It started out being a totally different piece, but ended up being a black/white composition. The shadow-box that it will be housed in is white and this morning the black/whites started pulling themselves together. The title is "In The Valley", it's constructed of cottons, satin, and paper.

Update on the Tiny Treasures.

Greetings All,

Here's an update on my "Tiny Treasures" commission. I'm loved creating these little gems and must find more of these small shadow boxes.

"Wade In The Water" (I and II) are my latest creations and I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I did in creating them. Now I'm off to complete the final piece in this project (Walking In The Light). Strange that sometimes I get the title before I create the

work;-}

More Tiny Treasures-Piece of the Week

Greetings All,

I have been working on small art quilts/wall hangings that I've been framing in small shadow-boxes (4 by 6). Well yesterday I got a commission for 9 of them and I only have 6 so here they are and I'm off to Michael for more boxes and here are the latest of the Tiny Treasures. Grace-II (left), Butterflies Are Free (center), and Grace-III (right)

Pieces of the week.

Greetings All,

I'm sorry that I'm in posting my latest "Piece of the Week. Here it is and it's titled "The Keeper of the City". I created in honor of one of America greatest artist and hope that you can guess who that is?

My second piece of the week is another in my series of tiny treasures and this one is called "Grace-I". These are small 4 by 6 inch pieces that are framed in shadow boxes.

Marion Coleman - Kaunas, Lithuania

Greetings All,

Sister/quilter Marion Coleman is working her way toward Kaunas, Lithuania and Kaunas Textile Biennial'11.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Love quilts? Love stories? My project Separate Worlds combines the best of both in a 6 part narrative quilt series headed to Lithuania this fall as part of the Kaunas Textile Biennial '11. I want to join my quilts, share more stories, network with artists selected to exhibit and collaborate with local artists about their lives and communities so I can create more quilts. You can help me get there and explore a new and different part of the world and its people. The end result will be a memorable cultural exchange that will lead to a new series of quilts about the trip. For more information check out her link at Kickstarter and you can make a donation. Congratulations Marion, we are so proud of you.

Lake Meadows Art Fair - update

Greetings All,

Well I survived another "Lake Meadows Art Fair" and had a great time. The art was fabulous, great music (Dee Alexander, Maggie Brown, and Ari Brown), crowd wonderful, and the weather was delightful. I'm so very glad to have participated in this year's venue.

This was the second year that I spent next to artist Quinton Foreman (below far right) and his family. Quinton was supported by his wife and four children since this was "Father's Day" weekend and they were very gracious to me as well. Thank you Quinton/family. See you next year;-)
Lowell Thompson (below) was front and center, and I always look forward to what he's doing and where he's showing. Great work as always Lowell.

Nora Musu (below) art I found just fascinating. It's a mix-media style that I just love and she was so very kind. This was her first time showing in Chicago and I hope that she comes again. For more info about her and her work check out her website.

Jeanne Chaney (below center), current president of Needles and Threads Quilters Guild took home with her Regina-I (right) and Rum Raisin (left) went to the far south side. Both are small beaded works that were created during a play-date with the Sew What Art Quilters back in the day:-)

Below are Cynthia Bowman (left-collector), Juarez Hawkins (center left-artist/instructor), and Nelson/Alice Scott (right-collectors). Alice/Nelson are the only people that I know that own some of jazz great Miles Davis painting. I am so very impress with their collection and look forward to seeing it again. All of the below are members of Diaspora Rhythms.

Gerald Sanders (left) and Robert Carr (right) are two of my favorite artists/people. I'm currently taking art classes with Gerald and Robert is one of his students/friends. I've know them both for years and admired their work. Robert and I know each from before we had children and gray hair:-)

Regina-III ( below-left) has found a new collection to hang out in and that is the talented artist Arlene Turner Crawford. I'm in love with Arty's work and have several of her pieces in my collection and that dose me proud that she loves my work. Check out her link and you will know why I'm in love with her work.

Above you shall see Trish Williams (left), Patric McCoy (center) who is the co-founder of Diaspora Rhythms, and Sylvia Cook (right). Sylvia introduced me to Patric and we've all become great friends and our art collections have grown in the processes. I truly had a great time as always and thank you so very much Helen West for carrying on the torch.