Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Saturday (Dec4): Indigo Lecture w Barbara Shapiro, Asian Art Museum SF

The Magic of Indigo
 with Barbara Shapiro
for the Society of Asian Art
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

When: Saturday, December 4

Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Place: Education Studio
, Asian Art Museum
Fee: $15 members, $25 non-member


Note: Registration required

This richly illustrated lecture explores the history and importance of indigo as a dyestuff the trade of which has had widespread ramifications and has touched many aspects of life in diverse cultures. The story of indigo is a fascinating way to look at world history. Called the king of colors and the color of kings, indigo has a strong Asian connection as a commodity traded worldwide and as a revered dye with Asian artisans. We will explore cultural and contemporary applications in Asia and around the world and shed light on the mysteries of this most magical blue dye. Contact: (T) 415.581.3701 or saa@asianart.org

Barbara Shapiro is a textile artist and long standing member of the World Shibori Network. She is a Board Member of the Textile Society of America and the Textile Arts Council of SF. Her artwork has been widely exhibited and published locally and internationally. A specialist in indigo dye, her teaching venues for weaving, dyeing, and basketry techniques include San Francisco State University and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Anthropologie "Ice Wine" Shibori Clutch

National retailer Anthropologie, known for their vintage-bohemian-girly looks, is getting in on the shibori train with their "Ice Wine" clutch (described as "frozen silk grapes'). Also some ikat inspired beaded clutches on offer -- quite chic, actually.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Recap: Yoshiko's NZ teaching tour

Wow, New Zealand has a lot going on!

Yoshiko recently returned from a 1.5month teaching tour through Australia and New Zealand where she was able to reunite with many longtime textile friends and had opportunities to meet new ones. Thanks to everyone for creating a wonderful teaching itinerary and setting up such fulfilling social events.

Special thanks to Deb Donnelly for her coordination efforts in NZ and for sharing these great photos and recaps. Check out the full NZ set on flickr


Meisen Kimono Art Moderne show at Expressions Gallery
18 Sept - 18 October 2010
Curated by Yoshiko, mounted by Rebecca Pubben and Expressions Gallery


The advertised floor talk on 30 September drew in a capacity audience at Vectra Gallery to hear a detailed description of works, its provenance and ways to identify this particular design movement in silk materials and techniques not always apparent on first glance. Yoshiko fully explained the rise of a more liberated Japanese consumer with lifestyles never before experienced in Japan. Meisen were popular just prior to the decreased supply of kimono post WW 2 up to late 1950s when western clothing became more widely accepted for workers, schools, manufacturers and general consumers alike. The Meisen Kimono Art Moderne exhibition was sponsored by Whitireia NZ and its response drawn from local artisans in possum merino felt, dyes on scarves, buttons and netsuke carvings including Owen Mapp, Hanne Eriksen Mapp, Clare Smith, Deb Donnelly, Rosemary Mortimer and Barry Young who attended the floortalk. (recap by Deb Donnelly)



Visit to Stansborough Textile Weaving Mill

Famous for their textile designs for films; Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Narnia chronicles, owners Cheryl and Barry Eldridge produce Stansborough fleece of unique lustre and high tensile strength on their family sheep farm in Wairarapa near Wellington. Specially woven lengths of naturally coloured material from Stansborough sheep were supplied to students enrolled on the New Material Transformation workshop at Whitireia Polytechnic NZ from 27 Sept - 1 Oct.
The results of the cloth explorations and Yoshiko's rigorous conceptual and technical teaching is being documented by textiles tutor Deb Donnelly for future classes and industry design developments. A deeper understanding of the cloth's potential will enable NZ designers to
carry on producing unique visions of this NZ icon. (recap by Deb Donnelly)


Boro Workshop
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Joan Morris Solo Show (Oct 14- Nov 21, VT)




If you're in New England during the next couple months, do yourself a favor and make your way to Big Town Gallery in Rochester, Vermont to see the exceptional work of artist JOAN MORRIS (see that artwork cover on your "Memory on Cloth: shibori now" book? That's Joan's). "Merging Continuums," Joan's solo show featuring all new works, will open Oct 14 with a reception on Saturday (16th) and artist talk. The exhibition will be up until Nov 21. Go!

"Everywhere, color proclaims its consonance with energy, and the effect is of textiles that refuse to hold still." - "Joan Morris: Master Dyer" by Glen Brown, American Craft Magazine, Summer 2008


Merging Continuums
- new works by Joan Morris -
14 October - 21 November 2010
Big Town Gallery
Rochester, VT
*opening reception 16 Oct @ 4-7p
www.joanmorrisartist.com

Safekeeper Vest Trunk Show (Oct 15,16 @ Berkeley)


If you're in the Bay Area next weekend Oct 15/16,
stop by Yoshiko's house and check out
The SAFEKEEPER VEST Fall Trunk Show
Beautiful, one-of-a-kind vests designed by Marion Gartler
for unencumbered traveling and everyday purse-free living

www.safekeepervest.com

October 15, 16 Fri & Sat
696 Hilldale Ave
Berkeley, CA
12-5:00p
see flyer for directions

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

intersections5: Colors_Concepts_Contours (13 Oct-Dec, San Francisco)

Lucy Matzger, "Bat Caf", used coffee filters


fiber/DIMENSIONS presents:
intersections 5 :

Colors_Concepts_Contours
Oct 13 - Dec 19
Presidio of San Francisco Officers' Club
50 Moraga Ave

*Opening Reception 17 Oct @1p*

FREE demos offered (see schedule below)
www.fiberdimensions.com

fiber/DIMENSIONS is a Bay Area art organization that has achieved international recognition. They are celebrating twenty years as a very effective and supportive arts collaborative. Their fifth biennial group show, Intersections 5, will represent over 35 of their amazing artists who bring a diversity of disciplines to their work from weaving, felting, quilting, and paper making to painting, woodworking, printing, and welding. Though many of their artists mix mediums and materials into forms that transcend definition, it is the vitality and potential of fiber that connects the group in the unique fiber/DIMENSIONS collaborative.

FREE demos & lectures
Friday @ 1:30 to 2:30, beginning October 29th. Venue: Presidio Officer’s Club. See website for details

October 29 Regula Allenspach Weill Gift Wrapping
November 5 Allegra Burke – Prodded Rag Rugs
November 12 Emily Dvorin
Coiled Basketry
November 19 Lucy Matzger
Coffee Filter Collage
December 3 Jeanette Carr
Machine Made Lace
December 10 Melissa Woodburn
Pine Needle Baskets

Friday, August 27, 2010

Lecture: Yoshiko on "Art & Design: case studies from Japan"(23 Sep, NZ)

click on image to enlarge

"Scarf" shibori exhibition (12 Sept, Paddington NSW)



Members of WSN Australia and New Zealand (WSN A/NZ) invite you to "SCARF, an exhibition of shaped resist dyed scarves and shawls held at Barometer Gallery. Opening reception is Sept 12, @4:00p. Yoshiko Wada, President of WSN, will be in attendance.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

8th ISS in HONG KONG! (Dec 2011)



We're taking it to HONG KONG!

Check out the latest on our beta site: 8iss.wordpress.com

Our 8th International Shibori Symposium is now in the planning stages. We are excited to announce our collaboration with the Institute of Textiles & Clothing of Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

If you'd like to get involved at the ground level, or you have some suggestions to give the Programming Committee, and/or you're interested in Presenting, Exhibiting, giving a Workshop, or making any proposals (venues, exhibition themes, etc)-- let's hear it. We're ready.

(photo credit: hong kong skyline, by flickr:kevinpoh. Courtesy of creative commons license)


Thursday, August 19, 2010

Buy It! Le Tissage Aux Cartons dans L'Egypte Ancienne (Cardweaving in Ancient Egypt)

If you have any interest in cardweaving, do yourself a favor and get your hands on a copy of this book.

Cardweaving in Ancient Egypt is the English translation of the 1916 publication Le Tissage Aux Cartons dans L'Egypte Ancienne. This English edition, translated by Barbara Shapiro - a TSA Board member and longtime WSN member - is available in handsome book form and includes helpful illustrations and color images to accompany a very comprehensive text.

ABOUT. Le Tissage Aux Cartons by Arnold van Gennep and Gustave Jequier was originally published in 1916. S
ome of its conclusions—including those about the Ramses sash—created considerable controversy. The book describes and categorizes many decorative motifs from Egyptian tombs, statues, and paintings; considers whether the patterns represent cardwoven bands; and provides instructions for creating many of the designs with cardweaving.

Cardweaving in Ancient Egypt. Illustrated with 6 color plates of cardwoven bands, 6 black and white plates, and 135 line drawings. Includes translation of entire original text, including extensive footnotes and notes on plates. 160 pages. $29.95. Available for purchase here

A serial translation of Le Tissage Aux Cartons originally appeared in the TWIST Journal in 2001–2003. Newly revised, the translation is now available as this book.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Masako Takahashi in "Illiterature" (Aug 24, Chico, CA)


Our friend, Masako, wrote in to tell us about her upcoming show:

I will have new work included in the exhibition "ILLITERATURE," at the Cal State University Chico Art Museum beginning August 24th. There will be a reception Thursday August 26 from 5-8pm. The curator, Mark Carter and I plus other artists will be there to speak briefly about the work. I welcome people to come see the show, and please introduce yourselves, I'd love to meet you. www.MasakoTakahashi.com


ILLITERATURE
August 24-Sept 19, 2010
*Opening Reception Aug 26 @5-8p

Curated by Mark Carter
University Art Gallery
Chico State University, Chico


Festival of Quilts (Aug 19-22, UK)






Festival of Quilts kicks off tomorrow!

From Twisted Thread's website:

Organised by Twisted Thread with the support of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles, FoQ has earned a reputation over the past seven years as the largest, most inspiring quilting event in Europe - with good reason! The Festival of Quilts boasts a host of gallery exhibitions from leading international artists and groups; the list for 2010 is outstanding as always and can be seen on our Features page. Over 250 companies will be selling all those hard-to-find patchwork and quilting supplies, so bring your shopping bags! We also offer The Quilt Academy with a stunning programme of nearly 100 masterclasses, workshops and lectures, and the Quick & Easy workshops provide another 166 sessions aimed at beginners.

Check out more details on Twisted Thread's website.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Ode â l’Oubli. Textile Books of the late Louise Bourgeois (NYT article)

I am always interested in connecting the textile world to the larger world of Art. And I've been thinking quite a bit about Louise lately as I write about contemporary art for my upcoming BORO book. If you have a moment, I think it's worth your time to read both the NY Times Art & Design article (link below) and a background piece by Lark Crafts on Louise Bourgeois' textile books.
-- Yoshiko


Louise Bourgeois, the famous French-born American artist, passed away this year in late May at the age of 98. Known most for her abstract, psychologically charged sculptures in bronze, marble, resin, and wood, she also worked extensively in fabric during her later years. Her relationship with her mother, a weaver, deeply influenced her work (to wit: her bronze spider sculptures). For an artist whose primary sources of inspiration were childhood memories, this return to textiles seems fitting as much of her youth was spent in the family’s tapestry restoration business.

One of these textile works of art (and the word syntax is chosen deliberately - foremost a work of art, one that happens to be made of textiles) is "Ode â l'Oubli" (2004), or "Ode to Forgetfulness," described as an "extraordinary and poignant object" in an excellent review by the New York Times. "Ode â l'Oubli" is a tactile diary composed of 36 fabric-on-fabric pages -- pieces snipped from Louise's clothes, some kept away in a storage closet, some dating as far back as 1920s. She cut, pinned or basted the pieces, which were then sewn into the final work by Mercedes Katz, a seamstress who has long worked with the artist.

More photos available in the Lark Creek article.




Tuesday, August 3, 2010

"To Dye For" Exhibition, De Young Museum, SF (July 31-Jan 9'11, CA)

Bravo to the De Young, whose recently opened epic exhibition, "To Dye For: A World Saturated in Color," has been scooped by some major fashion rags. “This is a textile-lovers exhibit,” said curator Jill D’Alessandro. De Young's press release here.

Click to see what WWD, Elle, Refinery 29 and Haute Living had to say.

ikat trench, Oscar de la Renta, c.2005
courtesy photo


From WWD:
“To Dye For: A World Saturated in Color” examines how cultures in Asia, Africa, South America and elsewhere over centuries have decorated fabrics by using tie-dye methods like knotting, bunching, stitching, stenciling, clamping, waxing or otherwise selectively blocking the absorption of color in fabric.

"Among other contemporary tie-dye examples is a synthetic fiber panel decorated using heat instead of dye by Japanese fabric artist Jun-ichi Arai, whose collaborations have included projects with Issey Miyake and Comme des Garçons. The Japanese tie-dye technique of shibori and its offshoots, which have thrived in the San Francisco Bay Area since the Sixties, are also featured, including works by Yoshiko I. Wada, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Judith Content and Angelina DeAntonis."

A summary excerpt, reposted from Refinery29:
Besides the Met in NY, we love the de Young Museum in San Francisco for its retrospectives on fashion. In the past, they've featured retrospectives on Yves Saint Laurent, Vivienne Westwood, and a showcase of socialite Nan Kempner's closet. Well, the institution isn't disappointing with it's latest epic exhibition. Including over 50 costumes, the show will feature tie-dyed garments spanning the world, from tunics created in pre-Hispanic Peru in A.D. 500 and Mongolian rugs from the 15th century to gowns featured in Rodarte's spring '10 collection. The exhibition opens on July 31.

"To Dye For: A World Saturated in Color”
The de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Dates running: July 31, 2010-January 9, 2011

Monday, August 2, 2010

Book signing: Liza Dalby (8/5, Orinda CA)


Liza Dalby -- author of the classic best-seller, Geisha, and the only non-Japanese ever to have trained as a geisha -- will introduce her newest book, HIDDEN BUDDHAS, a contemporary novel with a heroine who is a fabric artist and designer in modern Japan. A love of fabrics is woven throughout this imaginative work.

Liza will be speaking about her career writing about Japan, including her work on Hidden Buddhas, at Orinda Books this Thursday. Hope you can check it out.


Liza Dalby Appearance Orinda Books
Thursday, August 5 @ 4:30p
more info

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Lecture Series: "understanding Textiles & Technology in Research", Massey U (Aug-Oct, NZ)


Massey University, NZ is organizing a lecture series Aug 5- Oct 12, 2010. Check out the calendar for "understanding Textiles and Technology in Research" (uTTR) above.

Yoshiko will be lecturing Sept 24, "new texture, new materials"

Yoshiko in Australia and NZ (Aug-Sept)

Check out Yoshiko's long line up lectures, seminars, and workshops in Australia and New Zealand this August and September. Most of these engagements are open to the public. Some of the workshops are sold out but a few still have room. If you're a part of our OZ/NZ community, stop by and say hi! Yoshiko's Calendar here

Enjoy the last week of July everybody! It's lousy, grey weather over here in the San Francisco/East Bay area (ok, just San Francisco, really). Hoping to see summer sun as the days move into August and September. And to those heading to SPIN in Santa Fe, let us know how it goes. We'll report about it here on the blog for others to experience.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Selina Narov (now-July 30, Boston)


For those of you in the Boston area, take some time to head down to South End. Artist Selina Narov is having a solo exhibition in this arts district, held at the Boston Public Library
from now through July 30. Selina is known for an original process she developed, Lynx-Stone, which is a technique combining monoprinting with painting on fabric. The show will include wall hangings and installations, paintings on silk and rice paper, and collage on fabric. We're sorry to have missed the opening yesterday but Im sure it was wonderful. If you do pop by, send us pics! We'll post them here.

SELINA NAROV
July 15-30
Boston Public Library, South End branch
685 Tremont St.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Sue Cavanaugh, A Muse Gallery (6 Aug, New Mexico)

Here's something to look forward to this summer:

Sue Cavanaugh's work will be featured this August at A Muse Gallery in Taos, New Mexico. For those of you in Santa Fe that week for the SPIN (Silk Painters International) Conference, a perfect excuse for a detour to beautiful Taos! www.suecavanaughart.com

SUE CAVANAUGH

A Muse Gallery
110 Paseo del Pueblo
Norte, Taos, NM
Opening reception Friday, August 6, 6-9p



Thursday, July 1, 2010

SFS Arimatsu photos!

It's been really lovely hearing from some of our SFS Arimatsu '10 friends, who have since been home a few weeks now. All your celebratory and appreciative emails to Yoshiko and to one another are a pleasure to read. By all accounts, it sounds as if the SFS Arimatsu Tour was a great success!

Yoshiko's still abroad (finishing up in Italy w/ Michel Garcia for SFS Puglia) but the testimonials and photos have already started coming in. For those of you who had the luck of being on this tour AND to those who are thinking of joining one in the future, I bring you these peeks...

"The knowledge, history, people and places you shared with us made my experience of Japan and her textiles invaluable. I expect it will deeply influence my art and teaching." — Julie T.

"The [tour] was magical. I not only visited artist’s studios and exhibitions, learned resist techniques, ate fabulous food, ... but also made a wonderful group of new friends. We told our stories, shared adventures and laughed a lot. This the most special trip of my life. I am already saving for 2012." – Judith K.
Click to read more SFS testimonials


Junichi Arai & Yoshiko, at his home


Friends, new & old. Priya & Francesca


Fabric sample book

Click for ongoing SFS Photo Diary set on Flickr

YOSHIKO sends warm greetings to all her SFS Arimatsu friends, new and old, and thanks each of you for appreciating what this tour - this entire program - is truly all about. She hopes you stay in touch with one other and integrate what you've seen and learn into your creative lives and beyond.

PHOTOS: (top) Courtesy of Judith Krone; (middle) Courtesy of Judith Krone; (bottom) Courtesy of Masako Takahashi

Friday, June 25, 2010

Testing Time Symposium (July 1, Manchester UK)

Here's one for our friends in England:

Manchester Institute for Reasearch and Innovation in Art & Design (MIRIAD) of the Manchester Metropolitan University would like to invite you to their symposium organised by the students and staff of their Masters in Textile program. This event will focus on the diverse creative practices of Jill Townlsey, Philippa Prinsloo, Tabitha Kyoko Moses, Rozanne Hawksley.

"Testing Time" Symposium
July 1, 2010 - Thursday
Manchester Metropolitan University
free & open to public
map & directions




Friday, June 18, 2010

DIY Shibori at 45rpm in NYC (June 19,20,26,27-NYC)

r by 45rpm—a clothing shop in NY’s Soho district (169 Mercer St. btwn Houston & Prince)—is having a D.I.Y. shibori-tying event each weekend in June (19, 20, 26, 27)! Have you seen this store? Or their catalogs? AWESOME. You should check it out if you're in Manhattan.




From the website:
"Our Shibori Tie-Dye event last month was a great success, and we are excited to extend the event throughout the month of June! Shibori tie-dyed items are one of our core styles, and this event will also feature our signature Natural Ai Indigo. We utilize multiple farms across Japan to conjure a unique plant derived blue that is signature to us, and now you! Once tied up, all of your pieces will be sent to Japan to be hand dyed and then redelivered back to NYC. " *A copy of Yoshiko Wada's "Shibori: The Inventive Art of Japanese Shaped Resist Dyeing" is at the store for visual reference.

Two sessions offered each day: Saturdays 1-4pm or 4-7pm and Sundays 12-3pm or 3-6pm. Select from four cotton items purchased from the store, tied by you*, then sent to Japan, dyed in natural indigo and returned about 6-8 weeks later. Advanced reservations necessary 917-237-0045 or email: info@rby45rpm.

About: 45rpm's signature blue jeans are made from proprietary fabrics in Japan and the store specializes in denim and indigo-dyed products. www.rby45rpm.com

(Thanks to Carol for the tip!)

Monday, May 24, 2010

World Science Festival: Color, Science, Art History (June 6, The Met, NYC)

Some really great textile-art-science related lectures happening on JUNE 6 at the Met in NYC . Even better? They're FREE with museum admission. So what are you waiting for?

Explore the topic of color through science, art history, and the Met's collection. These events highlighted below are held in conjunction with the World Science Festival (JUNE 2-6) that takes place in New York City.

June 6, 2010

3:00p
Cochineal Red: The Art History of a Color
Elena Phipps, textile historian
The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
Free with Museum admission


3:40p
Renaissance Venetian Colore: A Material Thing
Barbara Berrie, Senior Conservation Scientist, Conservation Division, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
Free with Museum admission

4:20p
Indigo: From Mummies to Blue Jeans—A Universal Story
Jenny Balfour-Paul, Honorary Research Fellow, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter; Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society; partner in Silk Road Connect
The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
Free with Museum admission

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Follow-up: Kinor Jiang, Metallic Textiles, UC Davis

Some pics to share from Kinor Jiang's recent exhibition, "Experimental Textiles," at the Design Museum, UC Davis. You can read about the event in a previous post here. Thanks to Liza Dalby for sharing her pictures.









All pictures taken with an iphone (!), courtesy of Liza Dalby

Yoshiko at SPIN Conference (8/1-6, Santa Fe)

Yoshiko will be teaching & lecturing this August at SPIN in Santa Fe, NM. See her schedule below. Registration is now open so hurry and sign up!

Silk Painters International Festival
August 1-6 2010
Santa Fe, NM - USA
www.silkinsantafe.com


Workshop: "Exploring Silk and Textures" [AUG 3-4 @ 9-4p]
Lecture: "The Meisen Kimono: Kitsch to Art Moderne " [AUG 5 @ 9a]
To learn more about the workshop, visit Yoshiko's Calendar

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Event: India Flint "Travels with a Dye Pot" (6/30 Toronto CAN)




Textile Talk by INDIA FLINT
Not All Those Wo Wander Are Lost - Travels With A Dye Pot

Presented by The Contemporary Textile Studio Co-Op
@ The Textile Museum of Canada
55 Centre Ave, Toronto ON

June 30 2010, 6:30pm
Tickets $11.00

India will give a lecture outlining her unique approach to bioregional dyeing, as well as her practical research into innovative natural dye techniques. She will show images of her dye process and textiles, as well as providing samples for viewing and discussion. India will also lead a hands-on workshop entitled, "Mapping Country". www.textilestudio.ca

Monday, May 10, 2010

Classes: Summer Shibori w/ Ana Lisa Hedstrom

Looking forward to summer? Wondering what you're going to do? How about exercising your imagination and expanding your technical vocabulary by enrolling in one of these classes led by Ana Lisa Hedstrom?

JUNE 12,13: "Shibori & Natural Dyes" @ San Francisco Sewing Workshop www.thesewingworkshop.com

JULY 12-16: "Shibori using a variety of fabrics and surface applications" @ Pacific Northwest Art School, Whidbey Island, WA www.pacificnorthwestartschool.com

AUGUST 20-24: "Shibori" @ Peters Valley Craft Center, NJ www.petersvalley.org

***
if you want to share your teaching or exhibition schedule for this summer, email us: news [at] shibori.org

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Recap: Style 2010 Show & Sale (via SF Chronicle)



Check out the SF Chronicle article (read it here) recapping the recent event, STYLE 2010, Palo Alto Art Center's wearable art show & sale. The article features images from various artists including Gabriel Russo, our friend & WSN web member whose insightful and hilarious SCHMATTA STORIES (nyc garment district in 1960s) we've mentioned on this blog once before.

Shame we didn't hear about this sooner (it just passed this weekend, Apr 24). The roster of participating artists included several of our shibori friends: Angelina DeAntonis, Ellen Hauptli, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Carol Shanks.
Excerpt:
"Designer Gabriel Russo... salvages the rustic Japanese fabric known as boro and creates pockets from the lining of old kimonos, for patchwork-style vests. He also "excavates" tailoring details from vintage men's blazers to attach to wool gabardine shirts."

"It has to have a certain texture for me, and I love it if it's damaged and restitched. That's where the beauty of it is for me, where I can apply my aesthetics to balance it," Russo said.

photos courtesy G. Russo

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Events: Art Changes Lives (SF,CA & MN)

Two upcoming events I thought I'd sandwich in this single post because they both celebrate the same worthy message: Art changes lives.

In San Francisco: The wonderful organization Creativity Explored is holding its annual fundraiser. This year's theme, "ART CHANGES LIVES 2010: COLOR," takes its title from CE’s positive impact on the lives of artists with developmental disabilities working in their studios, and the community of people connected to the organization. This eccentric, diverse, spirited, must-attend fundraising event attracts 400 guests annually and is hosted this year at the beautiful Foreign Cinema restaurant in San Francisco's Mission district. Enjoy great food, wine, stunning atmosphere, and over 80 videos of Creativity Explored artists working in the studios. Chromatic attire encouraged since the theme is “Celebrating Color.”

Thursday, May 6, 2010
6:30pm–10pm
$125
Foreign Cinema

***

In MN: Textile Center opens ART: Healing Lives on April 28 at Textile Center's Joan Mondale Gallery. ART: Healing Lives is an international, juried exhibition part of Arts and Health Community Celebration hosted by the Midwest Arts in Healthcare Network (MAIHN). This compelling exhibition showcases mixed-media fiber works from artists who have transcended health related hardships through the healing powers of art. Laborious and often painful, yet meditative and ultimately regenerating, the work of these twenty-six artists serves as a spirit of hope to those traveling a similar road.

Opening Reception
Friday, April 30
6pm-8pm
Joan Mondale Gallery
Free, open to the public

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Event: "Experimental Textiles" Lecture & Reception (May 13, UC Davis)





On May 13, UC Davis will present:
"The Art of Fashion: Experimental Textiles"

experimental works by Kinor Jiang, professor of textiles at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in collaboration with talented designers drawing on and paying homage to their cultural and artistic heritage. Focusing on applications of fashion design and abstract aesthetic forms, this archive of experimental textiles includes metallized and etched metallic fabrics created from technologies of physical and chemical treatments.

Lecture & Reception, May 13, 2010 (Thur)
@ Design Museum of UC Davis
5:45-6:00 Reception opens (light refreshments provided)
6:00-7:00 Artist Talk
7:00-7:30 Mingling and museum walk with the artist/s

If you are interested in carpooling from the Bay Area to Davis, get in touch with Yoshiko at yiw [at] yoshikowada.com

Monday, April 5, 2010

Class: Stitch Resist, Sue Cavanaugh (Jun6-10, Ohio)



There's still time to register for Sue Cavanaugh's spring workshop on stitch resist shibori. Hurry!

"Stitch Resist Shibori with a Twist" Workshop by Sue Cavanaugh
June 6-10, 2010
Quilt Surface Design Symposium
Columbus, Ohio
*Preregistration is required*

Learn the basics of mokume, ori-nui, and maki-nui, and see how Sue combines and tweaks these stitches to produce award-winning art quilts. Students will use fiber reactive dyes and paint on these dyes to various effects. Students will go home with several small studies.

For a gallery of Sue's work, go here on shibori.org or visit www.suecavanaughart.com

Exhib: Ethicus Collection (Apr 5-6, Coimbatore IND)

If you happen to be in India right now soaking up the beautiful textiles & craft traditions there, perchance you'll be lucky enough to find yourself in Coimbatore where you can see ETHICUS, the ethical fashion collection of our friends and Slow Fiber Studio soulmates, Mani Chinnaswamy & Vijayalakshmi Malani Nachiar, of Appachi Cotton.

ETHICUS Collection
April 5th & 6th, 9a-8p
Sarvaa Hall, Hotel Rathna Regent
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu


Come by and see beautiful designs in 100% organic cotton handloom & ahimsa silk, crafted by skilled artisans on traditional jacquard handlooms, using natural and eco friendly dyed yarns.

See more information on their facebook page

Thursday, April 1, 2010

A Greener Indigo - workshop by Barbara Shapiro (Aug 28-30, No. Calif)

For you indigo lovers and practitioners, what better time than now to to learn a more ecologically friendly (and fume-free!) method of dyeing? Well, count your lucky stars. Barbara Shapiro will be teaching a 3-day workshop this fall in the idyllic northern California town of Mendocino. Read more about Barbara here or see previous posts about her workshops & lectures here

"A Greener Indigo"
Mendocino Art Center
August 28 -30, 2010
registration required


Discover the magic of indigo, one of the oldest and most influential dyes. Unravel the mystique and chemistry of traditional practices. Using an effective ecological formula revived from an 18th century vat, we will dye multiple samples in various fibers using shibori techniques and create a personal project. This fume-free formula enables contemporary artists to use natural or synthetic indigo in a safe, ecological studio environment.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Event: Spring Craft Wknd (Apr 23-25, Wash DC)

Come celebrate American Contemporary Craft Art at the James Renwick Alliance Annual Gala Weekend in Washington, DC:

2010 Spring Craft Weekend

April 23-25, 2010
Thurs - Sun
Washington, DC

The weekend will include visits to private craft collections, dinner catered by a major chef, live and silent craft auctions, visits to galleries, craft symposium, artist open studios, and the Smithsonian Craft Show, featuring artists from emerging to masters. A special free events is the annual Saturday morning symposium sponsored by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the James Renwick Alliance. Special guests will be Mark Sfirri, Randy Johnston and Yoshiko Wada, who will receive the JRA's Distinguished Educator award, and the topic is How Craft Makes its Way into the World.

All events are open to the public with ticket and offer fun, excitement and interest for those new to studio crafts as well as experienced collectors. Click here for more info

Quilt competition by Selvedge & Liberty

Make a Liberty Quilt and earn a chance to win £500 at Liberty

BlockquoteRepost from LIBERTY and SELVEDGE blogs:
For this season of "Quilty Pleasures," Liberty and Selvedge magazine* have teamed up to host a “Make a Liberty Quilt” competition. Create the most exquisite, most intricate, most amazing quilt you have ever made using Liberty fabrics. The winner earns £500 to spend at Liberty. An experienced panel will select the best entry. But that's not all! The prized piece also will be displayed in our hallowed halls. Winner will be announced online on the 10th of May.

Needles at the ready, boys and girls!

For full submission guidelines, see here



* I do love Selvedge. Such a great publication, in case you aren't familiar.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Exhibition: REinvention (Mar-Apr, San Francisco)


Join us in San Francisco for the exhibition, "Reinvention: Selected Works from California Textile Artists" held in conjunction with the RE-Invention conference at SF State University. Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Jean Cacicedo, Yoshiko, and many more fellow fiber friends will have work in the show. Come by!

REINVENTION
Exhibition March 18 − April 22, 2010 || Hours M-F 10a-6p
Reception: Friday, March 19 @ 5-8p
CONFERENCE March 19-24
see website for details

From the website:

LIFE IN THE ARTS is a constant process of invention and reinvention. Techniques change, new materials emerge, inspiration evolves along with the world in which we work. Artists reinvent themselves as they mature or change creative paths. It’s an exciting time to be a creative individual and change is in the air. "Reinvention: Selected Works from California Textile Artists" features textiles and fiber based artwork from the speakers, presenters and workshop leaders of the Reinvention Conference taking place at San Francisco State University March 19 − 24. The artists of Reinvention embody the range of modern textiles, utilizing techniques both traditional and innovative to provide a forum for issues relevant to today's society. This exhibition was curated in collaboration with Victor De La Rosa, Assistant Professor of Textiles / New Practices and co-sponsored by the Surface Design Association, Studio Arts Quilts Associates and the San Francisco State University Art Department − Textiles.