OUR REDESIGNED FIBER FOLIO
With funding from Maine Arts Commission, our dear supporters and our members, we have redesigned our Fiber Folio website in time for Summer traveling. Our “folio”—or digital magazine—hosts stories, photos, news, and events occurring throughout Maine’s fiber community. New addition this time: “stories” from guest writers sharing techniques, ideas, and processes.
Chris Antonak shares the making of her hooked footstools. Textile artists Allegra Kuhn and Peter Walls open their studio and pop-up gallery in Stockton Springs. Photo journeys to Eastport, Rhinebeck, and Boston show the fiber scene far and wide.
Learn more about our new Art Presentation Services and online Art Shop. Many good things! Visit Fiber Folio and contact us with an idea YOU would like to write up.
|
|
NEW ONLINE ART SHOP
Members who sent small items to display in our glass cases over the winter months—our By Hand Collection—now have work included in our new online Art Shop. Photos and descriptions of unique, limited edition objects of art and craft can be found alongside Maine Fiberarts' publications and membership renewals. Featured also are items from our current exhibition Hooked on Spring. We are excited to reach a wider audience. Shipping and handling charges range from $10.00-$20.00 and will be calculated and billed once the item is ready for shipping. See the work and give yourself a gift! Beautiful items by Maine artists.
Featured above: Artist Stephanie Levy shows off her new quilt available through the Art Shop.
|
|
NEW ART PRESENTATION SERVICES
Carol Jones and Christine Macchi are offering personalized, professional photography and graphic design for artists, craftspeople, business owners and farm producers through a new fee-based program of Maine Fiberarts—Art Presentation Services. Imagine a beautifully-designed new business card, postcard, or flyer showcasing your work. Christine created a Portfolio Book of printed images of Arlene Morris’ handmade artist book covers. When you think you are ready, you can either make a deposit in our online Art Shop to get in the queue, or call us to discuss your project. Read more about it. Present your work in the best light.
Pictured above: Felted, embroidered cuff by Kristi Sandoy photographed by Christine Macchi.
|
|
IN OUR GALLERY RIGHT NOW
Our current show, Hooked on Spring 2019 is on view April 1 - June 15, 2019 at Maine Fiberarts in Topsham. Thirty-five hooked items include the work of Roslyn Logsdon, Kathleen Perkins Bird, C. Susan Ferraro, Arlene Morris, Mary Ann McKellar, Janet Conner, Sue Perless, Paula Benne, Paul Hollingsworth. This is a fun show to see because of the originality, the craftsmanship, and the variety of work. Several are hooked with fabric; others, with yarn.
Also on view are works from our “By Hand Collection”—scarves, photo cards, handmade paper journals, knitwear, and small paintings—by Margaret Leonard, Natasha Kempers-Cullen, Carolyn Wollen, Stephanie Levy, Richard Lee, Emi Ito and Chris Antonak. Work is priced from $8 to $2200. Think of us when you need a gift this Spring! We’re here: Wednesday-Friday, 11-4; Saturdays, 11-2. See a preview on our website.
Above: Detail of a hooked rug by artist Paula Benne offered for sale for $350 on our online Art Shop and in our gallery. Come see! Proceeds from the sale of this piece will benefit Maine Fiberarts.
|
|
CONNECTIONS
Just a few recent connections we’ve made for members:
- Referrals of artists to Sandi Cirillo, co-curator for a second fiber show at University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast this Fall.
- Knitter/sculptor Katharine Cobey gifted her 33-foot hand knit and spruce-carved “Boat with Four Figures” to the Ogunquit Art Museum. Their curator had seen the piece years ago at our ’99 Fabric & Fiber Festival at Portland Museum of Art.
- Several people called to ask for knowledgeable weavers who could get their looms up and running in their homes and offer lessons.
- Member Christine Farrell received a large commission after demonstrating punch needle hooking in our gallery.
- Member Arlene Morris sold three major handmade artist books at the Book Arts Bazaar after we talked her into taking a display of her books.
There are many, many more examples. I’ll start writing them down.
Pictured above: "Boat with Four Figures" by Katharine Cobey on view now at the Ogunquit Art Museum.
|
|
WHEN YOU SEND IMAGES
Members should send up to 10 high quality, very high resolution jpeg images of new work for our files. Images are shown to visitors and to curators and are kept in mind for shows at Maine Fiberarts. You must be a dues-paid member to show work in our gallery or in our online Art Shop. Email Christine for more information
Above: A spool of handspun shifu, or paper thread; artist unknown. A donation which we treasure.
|
|
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS COMING UP
Membership renewals are due in June of 2019. Renew any time now through June and see your membership extended through June of 2020. These newsletters go out to our email audience of 2,204, but many have yet to actually become members. We hope you will become a dues-paying member to support our gallery exhibits, studio tours, publications, artist talks and workshops. Remember: every dollar will be MATCHED this year by a benefactor who believes in our mission and who wishes to encourage your support. Thank you!
Above: Members of Barb Taylor's sewing group check out a clothing designer online. Great seamstresses all!
|
|
FROM A SPECIAL BENEFACTOR
“Carolyn has been telling me about possible future activities at MFA. I hope this contribution helps them along—particularly the use of your photographic skills. As a friend who sees much of the fiber work from afar, on a computer screen, I must congratulate you on the design, content and visual beauty of the website. It gets better every day!”
|
|
|
Remember to check out our Fiber Bulletin often. There are ongoing updates, usually every week. Scroll down the page for topics.
|
|
|
|
|
