Nan Thompson's Solo Show at Great Harvest Bread Company

We'd like to invite all of you to join AK SAQA member Nan Thompson for the opening of her solo show EXPLORATIONS  at Great Harvest Bread Company this Friday evening February 6th from 4 - 6 PM.

Nancy's abstract work is a colorful feast for the eyes.

Most of Nan's work is improvisationally cut and pieced.

The work will be on display for the month of February.

If you miss the opening there is still plenty of time to enjoy Nan's work.

The Great Harvest Bread Company is located at 570 EASt Benson Boulevard, Anchorage, Alaska. They are open Monday through Saturday from seven in the morning until six pm.

If you are an Alaska SAQA member with news or events to share, please email Maria Shell at mariashell4@gmail.com

Diane Melms

Alaska SAQA member Diane Melms's work traveled the world this year. She was part of SAQA's Radical Elements exhibition at the Cafritz Foundation Arts Center in Silver Spring, Maryland from April 1- May 9, 2014.

This signature exhibition is the first to embrace SAQA's newly expanded definition of an art quilt. Each artist created a piece influenced by one of the elements from the periodic table.  Diane's piece 'Chromium' was made using 100 mini stretched canvases, painted with acrylic, chrome plated nuts, connected together with wire and mounted on a large stretched canvas.

You can see work and information about the exhibition here.

Diane had a very successful solo exhibition called VIVID INTENTIONS at the Bear Gallery Fairbanks Art Association in Fairbanks, Alaska from September 5 - 27, 2014. Crossing Paths was one of 26 pieces in the show.

Additionally, this past September, Diane’s piece Jubilo traveled to St. Marie-aux-Mines, Frances to be a part of Imagine an International Juried Exhibition in conjunction with the Carrefour Europeen du Patchwork.

You can see more of Diane's work on her website. If you are an AK SAQA member and have news to share, please contact Maria Shell at mariashell4@gmail.com We'd love to hear your news.

Z. Denise Gallup- Mandorla Show at IGCA

Girdwood based artist and AK SAQA member Z. Denise Gallup had a beautiful show in March at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art in Anchorage, Alaska. 

The show was called Mandorla: Where Two Opposites Meet to Form New Ground

Here are some images from that show along with notes from Z's artist statement. 

Mandorla is Italian for “almond nut.” The shape is found in nature, mathematics and in religious iconography, but it is also a curious psychological and metaphysical construct. 

It is the shape formed when two circles overlap.

It is the tension between two opposites.

Techniques include disperse dyes, collage, serigraphy with dye and ink, foiling, dye discharge, painting, monoprinting and of course stitching. 

All stitched wall pieces and sculptural pieces consist of various hand-dyed, hand-printed fabrics, a few commercial fabrics, all machine stitched. 

All framed works are mixed media consisting of gouache, watercolor, charcoal, pastel, hand-printed and dyed fabrics plus hand stitching.

If you are an Alaska SAQA member, we would love to share what you did in 2014 on this blog. Please contact Maria Shell mariashell4@gmail.com with photos and information.

Art Cloth North- Coffee Meet Up

Last week, the Alaska SAQA group gathered for coffee and discussion after taking down their VERY successful show at the Blue Holloman Gallery.

It was so successful, we are going to do it again next year! Submissions will most likely be due at the end of summer 2015. Complete details will be posted next year. You can read more about the show Art Cloth North by reading this blog post by AK SAQA member Maria Shell.

Our next official members meeting will be in early January--the exact time and date will be published here soon.

In the meantime, check back here to see a recap of what happened this past year. We'll be sharing images and news about what a great year 2014 was for our members.

And of course, we hope you all are enjoying the holiday season.

Members present for our coffee talk included (sitting)Diane Melms, Julie Drake, Barb Hanson, and Cat Larrea, (standing) Wendy Wood Smith, Maria Shell, Amy Meisner, and Gail Ramsey.

Maria Shell - Two Solo Exhibits Upcoming

Congratulations to the Alaska Region's Maria Shell, whose work is to be the subject of two solo shows this month.   
'Cut Stitch Press' opens at the Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer February 7 with an artist reception from 5 to 7 pm.  Maria will give a talk about her work at 6pm that evening.  The show runs through March 5.

'Boulevard' 32"x48", 2011

'Treasure Map' 29"x29", 2011

'The Way to Grace's' 25"x25", 2011

Maria's second show, 'The Art of the Grid', will be at the Wiseman Gallery of the Rogue Community College in Grants Pass, Oregon from February 5-28, 2014.

'Mark's Garden' 38"x38", 2013

'Speedy Huggins Plays the Drums' 38"x38", 2012

'Trance' 38"x38", 2013

We are planning a meeting at 7pm on Tuesday Oct 29th at Gail Ramsay's house. Email Gail for her address and directions.

Come or use "Go to Meeting" to hear/see what Diane Melms did at her recent class at "the barn" with Nancy Crow, learn about the Earth, Fire, and Fiber exhibit entrants and winners, and much more. 
Learn more about the SAQA AK Holomon Blue Gallery exhibit (scheduled for the month of November 2014) and get the scoop on Diane's new "artist cards" idea. 

Thanks, Cat Larea, for setting up "go to meeting" for us again!

EARTH, FIRE AND FIBRE XXIX - SAQA Artists Well Represented

Congratulations to the following members who have had work juried into the prestigious 'Earth, Fire and Fiber XXIX' exhibit:

Diane Melms, Anchorage - $500 Award
“Tangerine Sky,” fiber, 2013

Wendy Smith-Wood, Sutton
“Blue-Eyed Bird,” silk, 2013

Maria Shell, Anchorage
“Habanero,” textile, 2013

Ree Nancarrow, Denali Park
“Spruce Fire,” fiber, 2013

Z Denise Gallup, Girdwood
“Mt. Redoubt Sunset,” thread, 2013

SAQA Benefit Auction 2013 Begins September 9!

Please remember that the SAQA Benefit Auction begins Monday, September 9, 2013. It's just two weeks away! If you would like to help with promoting this event you could remind your friends, guilds and local quilt shops. You might also do a post on your Facebook, Pintrest, websites or blogs. There will be lots of wonderful little art quilts available for your collection. 

Gail Ramsay at Quilted Raven

SAQA Alaska artist Gail Ramsay will be the featured artist at this Friday's First Friday
event at the Quilted Raven in Anchorage. The event is from 4 - 8pm.

A sample of Gail's work