SAQA Alaska

Sally Troxell Recieves Rasmusson Purchase Award

The Baranof Museum, in Kodiak, AK, has received a grant from the Rasmusson Foundation to purchase four of Sally Troxell's quilts. Please go have a look at the purchased work posted on Sally's blog. There will be a show in conjunction with the Kodiak Art Council's annual Art Walk, on August 31st, from 4-7pm at the museum. In addition to the four quilts purchased by the museum, there will be 15 of Sally's other quilts available to view and purchase. Congratulations, Sally!

Rasmuson Purchase Award for Susan Christensen

The Clausen Museum in Petersburg, Alaska has purchased two of Susan Christensen's recent textile paintings for their permanent collection. Money for the annual art acquisition program comes from the Rasmuson Foundation. This is Christensen's second Rasmuson purchase award by the small museum, who selected her art quilt 'Mathew 24' in 2005.

‘Moonlight Flight’ by Susan Christensen; textile paint on quilters cotton with machine stitching; 21"x14.5"

‘After Dark’ by Susan Christensen; Procion dye painted on cotton with acrylic paint and machine stitching; 17.5”x14.5”

Nancy Dobson' Quilt Wins Best in Show

Two of Nancy Dobson's amazing art quilts were accepted into the Infinity Gallery Fiber Arts Show 2012. Glacier Study #1: Crevasse and Fluvial Force. Fluvial Force won Best in Show. Congratulations, Nancy!

'Fluvial Force' by Nancy Dobson, winner of Best in Show

'Crevasse' by Nancy Dobson

Diane Melms - SAQA Professional Artist Membership

'Chroma Cross' by Diane Melms

SAQA has two membership levels, one for those of us who want to be part of a great network of fiber art enthusiasts, and another for those of us who are serious about approaching art as a professional. If you consider yourself a professional artist you might consider becoming a Professional Artist Member of SAQA. PAM membership is for serious artists who have built a record of activity showing a commitment to their artwork. A committee reviews membership qualifications and mentors can advise you in the preparation of your application materials.

DianeMelms recently went through this process and has now been accepted as a Professional Artist Member of SAQA. She has been working up to this for a few years now, preparing a consistent body of work, creating a website, submitting work for exhibits and publications, and applying for artist grants. SAQA mentors were a big help and she would recommend seeking their advice when you think you are ready. Check out the membership page on the SAQA website for more details and a description of benefits.

Congratulations, Diane!

Cat Larrea's Quilt in International Exhibit

'Waiting for Kaiteriteri'

'Beneath the Southern Sky' is a traveling exhibit of 30 quilts, one of which is the creative effort of our Co-chair Cat. Congratulations, Cat!

Spring Quarterly Meeting Coming Up

Our spring 2012 meeting will be an on-line only event Wednesday April 4th starting at 6pm. Email directions for joining the meeting via Go-To-Meeting are forth-coming. Agenda items will include a report on the SAQA/SDA conference Cat will just have returned from, as well as a couple of short presentations on basic Photoshop Elements tricks. We will also have time for virtual studio 'tours', so get ready to show us what's on your design wall this spring and be inspired by what others are working on as well.

Spring is here! 'See' you at the meeting.

Christensen's Work Selected

Susan Christensen's art quilt, 'After Dark' has been included in this month's on-line SAQA exhibit 'Contemplation'. Jamie Fingal is the curator of the exhibit which features the work of 19 artists including Katie Pasquini Masopus, Linda Colsh and Carol Watkins.

'After Dark' by Susan Christensen - 17.5”x14.5”; Procion and acrylic on cotton with machine stitching

Susan's article on the benefits of blogging appears in this quarter's SAQA Journal. "The year of the Dragon is starting out strong for me. I am honored to be recognized by our fabulous Guild" Christensen says with a grin.

Quarterly Meeting Report

The first quarterly meeting of 2012 was held at Cat’s home on January 11. She turned her kitchen into studio space for the group. We spent several very happy hours experimenting with textile paints and making small silk screens.

Diane, Gail and Susan

It was hard to tear ourselves away for a delicious soup and salad supper, and we actually ate our dessert back in the kitchen, brushes and squeegees in hand.