Meeting Reminder – Austin/San Antonio

The January Circle meeting for Austin/San Antonio will be held Saturday, January 9, beginning at 10 am, at the home of Lynne Allen in Austin.  Items on the agenda include show and tell, a talk on marketing by Cynthia Holmes, the SAQA Mentorship call, and a potluck lunch.  If anyone completed the design exercise (a small piece based on the word "covert") please bring it along.  Please contact Lynne if you are coming and/or if you need directions.

Member News for January

Does anyone have news they would like to add to the blog?  Please send text, links, and photos if you have them to me

MEMBER NEWS - December

 Deborah Boschert is published in two new magazines. The Winter 2009 Art Quilting Studio includes a profile of Deborah and several pictures from her studio. She also wrote an article about improvisational embroidery for the All By Hand section called "Composing Spontaneity." The Winter 2009 issue of Sew Somerset also includes Deborah's work. She wrote a how-to article titled "Mushroom Story Scrolls." Both of these new magazines include an inspiring variety of artists, styles and techniques for art quilters and fiber artists.

San Antonio/Austin Circle - November 21, 2009

The San Antonio and Austin Circles met at Laurie Brainerd's loft in San Antonio. After a delightful potluck lunch, we quickly got down to the business at hand.

We discussed the survey results, reiterating that we all must ask for what we want of the Circle. The combined Austin and San Antonio circles are meeting on the 2nd Saturday of the month. The January and March meetings have already been scheduled in Austin and will remain unchanged. In May, it will bounce to San Antonio. The host gets to decide the time the meeting starts.

We then went on to "Tells," which were more art business related. A lively discussion ensued. One of the outcomes is a plan to incorporate formal critique sessions into the meetings. It will start when we line up a facilitator hopefully for the March meeting, but knowing that logistics will have to remain flexible.

A group challenge was made for those that like having deadlines to keep them focused. The word that was randomly picked for inspiration is "covert."

Afterwards, we had our "Shows" and then ended the meeting with a quick tour of Laurie's studio.

It was wonderful to see the group, which has been meeting for a year now, really gelling and ready to take the group up a notch with more activities and articulating individuals' needs of the Circle.

Playdate in San Antonio - Quilted Cards

Laurie Brainerd is offering is offering a 3 hour class to make Quilted Cards.

You and your inner artist are invited to make quick and whimsical miniature quilted works of art on cardstock. Warning: quilting these all-in-one cards and gifts can become addictive. You will leave with cards and materials for six mini-masterpieces.

When: Saturday, Dec 5, 2009 9- noon
Where: Villa Finale Visitor Center located at
122 Madison San Antonio 78204
210.223.9800
Cost: $30 payable in advance to Villa Finale $10 Materials fee to instructor
Registration Deadline: November 28, 2009

More info can be found at www.lauriebrainerd.com.

Form, Not Function 2010

Wish You Were Here: Postcards From the Road, by Leslie Tucker Jenison & Frances Holliday Alford, has been juried into Form, Not Function 2010 at the Carnegie Center for Art & History, 201 East Spring St. in Albany, IN.

Congratulations - Gay Young Ousley

Gay Young Ousley's, of Abilene Texas, quilt LOGGERHEAD has been selected to hang in the Florida Museum of Natural History as part of Quilting Florida Natural II.

This show runs from February 6 through April 25, 2010.

Congratulations, Gay!

Baylor Contemporary Quilt Invitational

 
  Baylor University
  Oct. 20 - Nov. 14, 2009
  Gallery II

 

Baylor Contemporary Quilt Invitational
  Liz Axford, Ann Adams, Susie Monday, Jane Dunnewold, Sue Benner,
  Connie Scheele, and Jack Brockette

D/FW-North Texas Regional meeting-DATE CHANGE

Emanda Johnson will be the hostess for the meeting which will be held on November 21st (Saturday) at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church at 1200 North Elm Street in Denton, Texas.  The meeting will be from 10:00am to 2:00pm.  Brown Bag Lunch with beverages and a dessert provided.  For more information email Emanda at emandaj@yahoo.com.

Cross Timbers Artists Guild Studio Tour

The Cross Timbers Artists Guild is a group of artists who live in the north Texas area (near Dallas and very close to the DFW Airport--primarily Flower Mound, Argyle, Copper Canyon, Double Oak and Grapevine).  Starting on Saturday morning and continuing on Sunday, you can visit any or all of the artists’ homes and see their work.  There is no fee, you just drive from home to home and visit as long as you’d like.  It’s quite a varied group, with art ranging from pottery, painting, stained glass, fine furniture, woodturning, sculpture, weaving, and, of course, quilting.  Our primary mission is to inform the community about the art that is happening right in their neighborhood, and to encourage artistic endeavors of all kinds.  We have a relationship with some of the local public schools and encourage the students to come on the tour, too.  So if you are going to be in our area, please visit us. 

Our website has a map and lots of information about our group: http://www.crosstimbersarts.com/

To start the weekend’s activities, beginning at 7:00 Friday evening, we will have a reception at our gallery, which is located in The Shops at Highland Village, northwest corner of 407 and 2499  (the gallery is next door to James Avery Jewelry).  Please come by for some refreshments and live music. 

Susan Lenz at Denton Arts Center

Blues Chapel by Susan Lenz
Denton Arts Center, Geogh Gallery
400 E Hickory, Denton
November 22 to January 6
Gallery Talk with Susan Lenz on
Saturday, November 21 at 2 pm at the Denton Arts Center

Susan's blog
http://artbysusanlenz.blogspot.com/

New SAQA Journal - Local Star

I got my new SAQA Journal today and find that Laurie Brainerd my co-rep in Texas has one of her quilts featured on one page and an article about her on another.  Congratulations!  Keep thinking those positive thoughts.

A few days ago, I took a tutorial session with Eileene Doughty about using the SAQA U site in the MEMBERS HOME area.  If you haven't taken time to explore there yet, or recently, I encourage to go look to see all the wonderful information that is available.  There are over a thousand pages in the wiki now.  And...all the SAQA journal back issues are available there in PDF format.  This resource alone is worth the price of membership.

SAQA@20 and Sense of Humor

Photos of the winning quilts at IQF and the Special Exhibits (including selections from SAQA@20 and Sense of Humor) are on the Quilt Festival @ Home site.  There are several videos available also.

Exhibit Catalog Available

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see the wonderful SAQA@20: Art & Excellence and Sense of Humor quilts in a two sided catalog available from SAQA.  SAQA@20 is on one cover and then you flip it over and Sense of Humor is on the other side.   The photos in the book are better than you could have taken if photography had been permitted and it's only $20 + S/H

Portfolio 16 is now available also.

SAQA Booth at Houston

My thanks to all of you who generously gave up your time shopping and viewing quilts to work in the booth.  I had fun visiting with everybody and the sales were great.  We couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. 

The Art & Excellence and Sense of Humor Exhibit seemed to be one of the most popular at Festival (from my eye anyway).  We can be proud of our organization and the quilters exhibited in particular.

I hope to see you again next year.

Member News

Deborah Boschert 
Visual Arts Society of Texas
"From Quilter to Fiber Artist"
Thursday, November 5 at 7 pm
Center for Visual Arts, Denton, TX
400 East Hickory
Free for VAST members, $3 for guests

I'll be sharing my journey as an art quilter and talking about the many techniques and materials I use in my work.

If any SAQA members attend, you must come say "hi" to me personally!

Volunteers Still Needed for Quilt Festival

We are still in need of more volunteers in the SAQA booth in Houston. Can you spare an hour or two? Please check your schedule and join us. It is a great time to meet members and network.

NOTE: The Gala on the Green (Saturday @ 7:30pm) replaces the SAQA/Quiltart Reception in previous years.  It is free, but enrollment required. Event #770.

We need at least two people in the booth for the other time slots. We are thin on Wednesday, Preview Night.  Times we are thin or empty are highlighted in BLUE the sidebar on the right.  Let's work together to have a great representation of members working the booth at Festival!

Shows & Exhibits during October

“Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor”
Houston Museum of Natural Science
May 22, 2009 - October 18, 2009
The Houston Museum of Natural Science presents one of the most extraordinary archaeological finds of the 20th century, considered by many to be the Eighth Wonder of the World: terra cotta warriors from the tomb complex of China's First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Intended to protect him throughout eternity, the warriors stood guard over a vast necropolis commissioned by the Emperor when he was only 13 years old. Marvel at more than 100 amazing objects, the largest display of terra cotta figures and tomb artifacts to travel to the U.S.
Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor was named one of the top five "must see" exhibitions by Time Magazine.

“Unexpected Patterns: QUAKE!”
Peggy Sexton and Archway Gallery host a national show. September 25 through October 23, 2009
2305 Dunlavy, Houston
The exhibit entitled Unexpected Patterns: QUAKE! features Art Cloth, unique hand designed wall hangings. Work created by, Rayna Gillman, Sue Copeland Jones, Lisa Kerpoe, Judy Langille, Russ Little, Mary-Ellen Latino, Joy Nebo Lavrencik, Barbara Schneider, Wrenn Slocum, Bev Snow, Katherine Sylvan & Maggie Weiss will be on view.
Opening reception from 5:30-8 pm, September 26, 2009. Meet the artists at a Gallery Talk on Tuesday, October 20, 4 -6 PM. Please come to the opening, the gallery talk or both. At the gallery talk, many of the artists will discuss the technical and physiological processes they drew upon to produce the work.

“CELEBRATING OUR CREATIVE SPIRIT,”
The Biennial Show of the Texas Federation of Fiber Artists
October 2 to December 24
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
4848 Main St., Houston
The opening reception is 5:30-8:00pm, October 2, in conjunction with the Texas Federation of Fiber Artists Conference. The juror for this show, Tim Harding will also be the keynote speaker at the Conference.

“INTERWOVEN”


October 10 – November 2, 1009
18 Hands Gallery
249 W. 19th Street, Suite B
Houston, TX 77008
Fiber art, juried by Ginny Eckley

SAQA Auction – Phase 3

 

152 pieces have now sold, raising $32,450 to support SAQA's programs.

Part 3 of the Auction will begin Thursday at 2:00 Eastern.
Page 3a: http://www.saqa.com/newsebulletins/Squares09_5.aspx
Page 3b: http://www.saqa.com/newsebulletins/Squares09_6.aspx

SAQA Auction – Part 2

10 pieces sold yesterday at $750!

85 pieces have now sold in the Auction, raising $21,325 for SAQA's exhibitions, publications and educational outreach programs.
More artwork is available through the SAQA Store.
Price will drop to $550 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern today

The auction quilts are on the website:
http://www.saqa.com/newsebulletins/Squares09_3.aspx

Some of the artwork available for bid:

Workshop Opportunity from SAQA member Susie Monday

FROM SCRIBBLE TO SYMBOL

PERSONAL MARK-MAKING
SEPTEMBER 25-27, 2009

In this workshop, start with simple sketches and doodles and end the weekend with an arsenal of new surface design tricks and tools.

Explore doodles and scribbles as sources of uniques and personal imagery that will give your art quilts, wearable art, or mixed media work personal depth and layers of meaning.

Take a favorite symbol -- for example a heart, star, spiral, circle -- and by taking it (and yourself) through a series of creative generative exercises, you’ll make something new and different to incorporate into your design, composition and surface design. Tools and techniques explored include paper lamination on fabric, large scale “mark-making” rollers and monoprinting. There is an optional Friday night potluck and critique session.

The first four people to sign up and pay $150 before Sept. 20 for my September workshop, will receive a certificate for 1/2 price off on the next one they attend.

Hope you can make it! This is going to be a really fun weekend -- with an option to attend the Cajun Festival on Saturday night if we want to -- the gumbo is supposed to be fabulous. If the group doesn't want that adventure, we'll stay put and I'll make the gumbo!

Let me know as soon as possible if you are interested since this is only open to the first 4 people who respond.

Susie Monday

Angels, Saints and Sinners from El Cielo Studio
3532 Timbercreek Rd.
Pipe Creek, TX 78063
210.643.2128
BLOG http://susiemonday.squarespace.com/
WEBSITE http://www.susiemonday.com
NEW EMAIL: susiemonday@gmail.com

New Exhibition Committee

Ellie Kreneck has volunteered to head a new Texas Exhibition Committee. She intends to have an official SAQA exhibition at several locations across Texas. This is a big undertaking and she has recruited several volunteers to help with project: Gail Dentler, Sue Benner, Barbara Oliver Hartman, Mary Ruth Smith, and Mariet Nieskens.

Thank you to all volunteers to bringing this opportunity to our state!

Auction Begins Thursday

If you haven't already, check out the great artwork up for bid:
http://www.saqa.com/newsebulletins/Squares09_1.aspx

Your purchase will provide important support for SAQA's exhibitions,
publications, and outreach programs. For instance:

• This year we are traveling 10 exhibits, which will visit 17 venues
and be seen by well over 100,000 visitors.
• We are producing two print catalogs ("Transformations 09:
Reflections" and a joint catalog for "SAQA@20" and "A Sense of
Humor"), as well as a CD catalog for "Points of View." The catalogs
will be sent to participating artists, as well as to our collectors
and museums lists.
• We are publishing 4,000 copies of Portfolio 16 and mailing it to
collectors, galleries, museums, art consultants, and interior
designers, as well as selling it through Amazon and through quilt
stores.
• We hosted the "Art & Excellence" conference in conjunction with the
Opening for Quilt National. DVD's of the keynote speakers and panel
presentations (including the 2009 Quilt National Jurors panel) are now
available.
• We will publish four information-

packed issues of the SAQA Journal,
which are mailed to members and to our list of BFA/MFA textile programs.

I hope you'll bid early and often -- this is a chance to buy some
great artwork at a great price!

Martha Sielman
Executive Director
Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc.
CHECK OUT SAQA's Online Auction - http://www.saqa.com/newsebulletins/Squares09_1.aspx
Auction starts September 10th at 2:00 Eastern

Member News – September 2009

Salli McQuaid has just published two of her early quilts , “Nine-eleven” (#4, 2006) and “USNA Reunion” (#7, 2006), in the following book:

Judy Howard: Thanking Our Troops: God Bless America Touring Quilts, Dorcas Publishing, Oklahoma City, OK: 2010, pp. 59 & 60. $19.95.

This is a lovely book literally thanking our troops and containing color images of over 80 patriotic quilts. Each quilt is accompanied by an encouraging quote from the Bible and a statement about the quilt. At the back, there are even patterns to create your own military quilt. The book would make an excellent gift for a service person or a friend interested in quilts.

All profits from the sale of this book go toward providing quilts to the wounded. At our last meeting, a Guild member explained how much our service people appreciate receiving a simple card from people they don’t even know, thanking them for their efforts. They live and work under dreadful conditions, with temperatures reaching 140 degrees. Just imagine how much this book or a hand-created quilt especially made for a wounded person would mean to them.

She will have copies of the book available for $25, including postage and handling. Just let me know by email that you want one.

Ginny Eckley says..Stop by my booth and say “Hi”. I will be both at Quilt Market and Quilt Festival in the same location: Booth 1250. My main products are silk dye and silkscreens- Look forward to visiting the other SAQA artists

Barb Forrister as two pieces in West Coast Wonders II which opened in Long Beach, California. Emerald Treasures was featured in the show catalogue (please see attachment) and also on the IQF site as both a live vidcast http://www.quilts.com/lbqf09/enVivo/vidcasts.html and also under Quilt Festival at Home, Selected Exhibits http://www.quilts.com/lbqf09/enVivo/vidcasts.html This piece has a very special story. It was nearly destroyed in transit on it's way home from An American Legacy Show in Georgia where it had placed second in the Art Quilt category. Upon receiving it, I took it to an appraiser who deemed it irreparable. When I got news that it had been accepted into West Coast Wonders II, I knew I had to fix it somehow. I replaced the mother's head and began rebuilding her shell. The six holes that extended from the front through all three layers were patched with Misty Fuse. Finally, she was ready to travel once more. I am thrilled that the repairs were successful and that she is being received well.

Also, the Austin Fiber Artists have a show at The Austin Bergstrom International Airport which will be up through November 3rd in the Airside West Gallery for visitors travelling to and from Austin. Little Boy Blue is the featured quilt on their website http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/nr_fabric_909.htm

WORKSHOP - “Secrets of Smashing Color” – Maggie Maggio

Fiber Artists of San Antonio (FASA) has a terrific workshop scheduled for September! A couple of spaces just opened unexpectedly, and it’s not late to sign up. The workshop is appropriate for artists working in any medium, so feel free to forward the information.

The two-day workshop is titled “Secrets of Smashing Color.” It will be led by Maggie Maggio (www.maggiemaggio.com). This fast-paced workshop explains the difference between what color is and what color appears to be, teaches you how to troubleshoot to get gorgeous color combinations and encourages you to customize your color choices.

You will explore new ideas with collages, dyes and paint swatches while filling in your personal color workbook. The workshop includes collaborative hands-on exercises and the creation of customized color charts and project palettes.

The workshop will be held on Friday 11 September and Saturday 12 September, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will be in Kirtley Fellowship Hall at Alamo Heights Christian Church (the same place where FASA meets every month). The cost is $160.00 plus a small kit fee. If you have questions or want to sign up, contact Allison Brown-Cestero at abrowncestero@satx.rr.com or by phone at 210-259-8710.

Throw out the books, forget the rules, and come play with color!

Iraqi Bundles of Love (IBOL)

Major Art LaFlamme (his wife is SAQA member Kristin),  if collecting bundles of quilting/sewing fabric, notions, tools to distribute to individuals or shops in Iraq who have a shortage of these types of supplies.

It’s very easy.  Fill a large, flat-rate FFO/APO box and mail it for just $11.95.  Check your stash and see if you have some supplies you could donate.  For more details, including how to package your Bundle of Love, go to Major LaFlamme's website for all the details about this project:

http://ibol.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/iraqi-bundles-of-love-the-intro/

You can email him requesting the address.  He wants to deliver these during the Muslin month of Ramadan, which ends mid September.  DEADLINE for being IN THE MAIL is September 8, next Tuesday.

This is an excellent chance to spread the good will of American quilters.

Technorati Tags: Iraqi,Iraqi Bundles of Love

Free Artists' Salon Program Offered by Allyson B. Stanfield

Allyson B. Stanfield, the keynote speaker at the Conference, has an Artists' Salon program that you might want to explore either for yourselves or for your regional members. It's a free, step-by-step process that helps members to improve their marketing and professionalism.

Information about Salons is on Allyson's website: http://artbizconnection.com/. It is a fairly intense group that meets every two weeks and is focused on marketing and selling. Allyson provides the format, once registered, free of charge.

If you are interested in leading or being a part of a group, email Laurie Brainerd, who will let the interested participants know who each other is and faciliate grouping by geography if needed. This doesn't have to be limited to SAQA members. This program is intended for artists of any medium.

Call for Entry - Craft Texas 2010

CraftTexas 2010
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
September 25, 2010 – January 9, 2011
Entries September 1,2009 - March 1, 2010

CraftTexas 2010 is the sixth in a series of juried exhibitions showcasing the best in Texas-made contemporary craft. The exhibition is open to all artists currently residing in Texas and working in clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and in found/recycled materials. For more information visit http://crafthouston.org .

Entries at www.callforentry.org

Foto Fiber Fabulous

Opening Reception September 3, 2009 6-9 pm

Fiber Artspace
(Blue Star Arts Complex)
1414 S. Alamo St. No. 103
San Antonio, TX 78210
210.633.6959
www.fiberartspace.com

Foto Fiber Fabulous is a fotoseptiembre exhibit featuring fiber artists from across the continent. Art quilts, fiber art, and conceptual art that combine photography & fiber together are for sale.

The exhibit will be open September 3 - September 26, 2009 Thursday - Saturday.

Exhibiting artists include Maureen Brown, Marilyn Castro, Geraldine Congdon, JoAnna Commandaros, Linda Filby-Fisher, Linda Frost, Sabrina Hughes, Gay Jensen, Beth Kennedy & Donna Bearden, Daryl Lancaster, Regina Marzlin, Jane Moore, Jane Ogren, Karen Still Osborn, Patti Pitts, Letitia Rogers, Connie Rose, Kari Scott, Virginia Spiegel, Naomi Wanjiku, Sara Goldenberg White, and Charlotte Ziebarth

Call for Entry - Materials Hard & Soft - Denton Arts Council

February 6 - April 1, 2010
Entries due September 11, 2009

This annual competition and exhibition of contemporary crafts was started in 1987 and is now in its 22nd year. Recognized nationally, Materials: Hard & Soft attracts hundreds of entries from every state in the union. Nationally recognized jurors select the show from slides and then award $5,000 in prize money. The juror has always selected the winning pieces on-site. A catalog is printed. Many of the artists seen in the Materials exhibitions have been featured in national publications such as American Crafts. Prospectus is available at the Greater Denton Arts Council website.

How the SAQA Benefit Auction Works

There are 234 Benefit Auction quilts donated by our members. The SAQA 2009 Benefit Auction - Part 1 will begin Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at 2:00 Eastern. Last year's Benefit Auction raised $41,775. The funds raised through the Auction are critical to supporting SAQA's exhibitions, catalogs and outreach programs.

The wonderful Benefit Auction quilts can be seen on the SAQA website at http://www.saqa.com/newsebulletins/Squares09_1.aspx . There are so many wonderful ones there I want them all. There are several ways to view the quilts – by artist name, etc.

How the Auction works:

The Auction is run in three sections (Section 1 - Pages 1a and 1b; Section 2 - Pages 2a and 2b; Section 3 - Pages 3a and 3b).

On the first day of each section's auction, the price for all pieces in that section is $750. The next day (at 2:00 Eastern), the price drops to $550. The third day, it drops to $350, then $250, then $150, and finally $75.

The first section will begin September 10th at 2:00 Eastern.
The second section will begin September 17th at 2:00 Eastern.
The third section will begin September 24th at 2:00 Eastern.

Prices by day:
Section 1 - September 10th at 2:00 Eastern - $750
Section 1 - September 11th at 2:00 Eastern - $550
Section 1 - September 12th at 2:00 Eastern - $350
Section 1 - September 13th at 2:00 Eastern - $250
Section 1 - September 14th at 2:00 Eastern - $150
Section 1 - September 15th at 2:00 Eastern - $75
Section 2 - September 17th at 2:00 Eastern - $750
Section 2 - September 18th at 2:00 Eastern - $550
Section 2 - September 19th at 2:00 Eastern - $350
Section 2 - September 20th at 2:00 Eastern - $250
Section 2 - September 21st at 2:00 Eastern - $150
Section 2 - September 22nd at 2:00 Eastern - $75
Section 3 - September 24th at 2:00 Eastern - $750
Section 3 - September 25th at 2:00 Eastern - $550
Section 3 - September 26th at 2:00 Eastern - $350
Section 3 - September 27th at 2:00 Eastern - $250
Section 3 - September 28th at 2:00 Eastern - $150
Section 3 - September 29th at 2:00 Eastern - $75

You bid by filling out the online bid form. You can bid on up to 7 pieces at a time. First bid on each piece wins. We will then ship the artwork to the winning bidder by insured USPS Priority Mail.

Unsold pieces will be for sale at $75 in the SAQA Store through the end of October. If they are still unsold at that time, they will be returned to the artist.

PREVIEW: SAQA's 2009 Benefit Auction

PREVIEW: SAQA's 2009 Benefit Auction

The Benefit Auction quilts donated by our members have been arriving - over 235 have been received. The SAQA 2009 Benefit Auction will begin Thursday,
September 10th, 2009 at 2:00 Eastern.

Once again, it will be a reverse auction. Bids will be accepted at: $750, $550, $350, $250, $150 and $75. More information will be posted closer to the date. Last year's Benefit Auction raised $41,775.

The funds raised through the Auction are critical to supporting SAQA's exhibitions, catalogs and outreach programs.

San Antonio Circle Meeting - July 18

The San Antonio Circle Meeting in July was enjoyed by Laurie Brainerd, Susan Mayfield, Lynne Allen, Allison Brown-Cestero and Vou Best, hostess. Laurie led a discussion of conference activities. Vou shared fabric books of designer samples. Everyone brought Show & Tell. Lunch of ham croissants and the tasty salads each brought. The meal was ended with a cool grapefruit ice Lynne provided. After lunch everyone dipped into the pool enjoying the water, sun and sharing of more ideas. An informal, inspiring time for all on a hot summer day.

--Vou Best

Austin Circle Launched

Last Saturday, Austin area SAQA members gathered at Mandi Ballard's home to launch Austin's first SAQA circle. We had a show-n-tell, networked, planned the dates of future meetings, and had a round-table discussion about how we get ideas from our heads out into the world. Ruthie Powers shared her experience of the SDA Conference with us. In addition, we had a lovely potluck lunch and got to see Mandi's spectacular studio!

Future meetings will be on the 1st Saturday of the month, unless it is a holiday weekend. Then, it will be pushed to the 2nd Saturday.

Dates and hosts (so far) are as follows:
September 12, 2009 hosted by Diane Sandlin
November 7, 2009
January 9, 2010 hosted by Lynne Allen
March 6, 2010 hosted by by Dee Merrell
May 1, 2010
July 10, 2010

I thought we had a couple of presenters identified at the meeting, but didn't get names onto the regional page. If you volunteered or would like to volunteer to do a small presentation, please contact Laurie Brainerd at lauriebrainerd@gmail.com.

If you can host a meeting in Nov, May, or July, please contact Laurie Brainerd at lauriebrainerd@gmail.com.

Online Portfolio Review for Quilt Artists

At the SAQA Conference in Athens last May, I attended one of Sandra Sider’s critique sessions. You may join a session as a silent subscriber if you wish to learn more.

Sandra writes: QuiltCritique.com is now offering ONLINE PORTFOLIO REVIEWS for quilt artists -- up to eight quilts for $200, one hour exclusively for each artist. This fee involves research about the artist's work on my part, including a close study of any web sites. As far as we know, this is the first time that quilt portfolio critiques have been offered online by a professional service. Sessions should be reserved two weeks in advance, with images and any other information emailed to me at least ten days before the session. All sessions will be recorded for our archives, and silent subscribers to QuiltCritique.com will be able to observe the portfolio reviews.

This interactive service requires a high-speed Internet connection.
Our fee covers the webinar access for participants.

Please email Sandra with any questions you might have

Sandra Sider -- Artist, Critic, Curator
www.sandrasider.com

WELCOME to the SAQA-Texas Blog

Welcome to the the blog for Texas Region of SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates). Through this blog, we will be sharing information about SAQA meetings and other art quilt related events throughout the Texas.

Laurie Brainerd and Mary Ann Littlejohn are the administrators of the blog. Any news or information item you would like to have posted, should be sent by email to the address in the sidebar.

All of your websites/blogs we have knowledge of have been listed in the sidebar. You can check out what your favorite or new artists are doing. If you have any additions or changes, please email one of us.

This blog will be as interesting or exciting as the information you provide for us to post. We welcome your comments on messages also.

You will notice in the upper right there is a link to subscribe to email notification when new content is published. We hope you will come back often to see what's new.