Fraying around the edges

Do you go out to openings, do you have an informed opinion, and do you Blog? Do you thing you have something to say that might be of interest to others. Through the summer and over the next two months over a dozen textile exhibitions have opened or will open in Toronto and around Ontario. Here in the Toronto area many of these events coincide with the up coming Textile Society of America’s Symposium. This is the first time this biennial event happens outside of the United States.

There is a problem with this bloging thing, openings happen in clusters, Fray open at the Textile Museum of Canada and the Koffler Gallery on the same night with a bus provided between locations. That was the plan, however there was a minor disaster at the Koffler (loss of power due to heavy rains which happens often) It was a very crowded event and impossible to get a good look at the work. Taking pictures of the personalities there (artist, curators, directors and generous Benefactors of the Museum and the show) for a gossipy sort of rendering of the evening was impossible. By all accounts it was the event of the summer. Then life got in the way and seeing the other half of the show at the Koffler Gallery was delayed until the other day so the opportunity to write seriously about the show has just occurred, but you’ll have to wait for the next issue of Selvedge Magazine to read my review.

In the interim Fibreworks 2006 opened at the Cambridge Galleries on September 9^th in Cambridge Ontario, the fall line up of shows at Harbourfront in Toronto kicked of on September 15^th , the Queen West Art Crawl also in Toronto ( this event along with Scotiabank Nuit Blanche September 30, 7:00 pm - 7:00 am, Sunday October 1 seems to have replaced “Art Week” in Toronto) and FREAKOUT (TEMPORAL BODIES): new work by Luanne Martineau opened at JESSICA BRADLEY ART + PROJECTS the next day. (Luanne Martineau can also be seen in Fray at the TMC)

I did manage to get to all of these and in Cambridge managed to take a few photo’s with a borrowed camera which went off with is owner to Calgary before I could download the images (which turned out pretty bad, but they are here for filler and something to look at) and if you look below you’ll see what is happening in October… so I ask again do you Blog? fibreQuaterly needs reporters and reviews. Go to the Site Information page at www.velvethighway.com for more information about getting involed as a writer.

for more information bout these shows and Links to the galleries go to the events listings at http://www.velvethighway.com/FibreQuaterly/events_listings.html

to find out more about Selvedge Magazine click here

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Fiberworks 2006, Cambridge Galleries

Fibreworks 2006, at the Cambridge Galleries’ is a biannual juried exhibition featuring artist from across the country. This year’s jury consisting of Aggie Beynon, Heidi Overhill and Vessna Perunovich had 439 images from over 200 artists from which to choose from. They say in there statement “the works in this exhibition spoke to us in multiple ways, each one in a different voice… spiritually, intellectually and formally” they also say ‘each artist has treated materials with respect, using them skilfully in the service of meaning, whether the meaning lay on a personal or universal level.” There are 35 artists in this show and the jurors have picked work that they think reflect the importance of humour in difficult times.

On the whole this collection of work is representative of the diverse approaches to working with fibre based material and most successfully, there are some weak spots. Each time this show is mounted the work is consider for purchase for the galleries permanent collection. This year’s selection is as follows:

Susan Bidinosti, London on. Leave (the nest) 2006, Machine stitched and hand embroidered paper

j Lynn Campbell, Toronto, ON., Model No,8 {Extension(s) No.1.}, 2004, Dressmaker’s Form, Steel, fabric, braided horsehair, wrapped wire, copper wire, artificial sinew, 150X35cm,

( I apologise for this bad photo, but I am not a photographer)

Shape Shifters

J. Lynn Campbell and Anne O'Callaghan

The Red Head Gallery
401 Richmond Street, Toronto.

October 11 - November 4, 2006

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 14

Suzanne Carlsen, Toronto, Alternative Transportation, 2006, Cotton, thread, silver, hand embroidery, 3.5 X 1cm. each

Sheila McMath, Cambridge, ON Tissues & Trimmings series #2, 2005, fabric, pins, fur 45 x 22 x 10 cm,

Robin Muller Bedford, NS, Sand Scroll, 2006, Computer Jacquard tapestry mill Weave, box making techniques, Boxed: 59 x l 13 cm Extended: 54x250cm

Gordaon Olujic-Dosic, toronto, Strawberry Season, 2005,Cotton and hemp thread, tulle, 80 x 100 cm,

**Kathryn Ruppert- Dazai, The Mother, 2006, Goat Hair, acrylic, angora, plastic, wool, lace, and mohair )

Angela Silver Calgary AB, Red Thread Book, 2004 Paper back novella, red thread, 20 x 21.5 x 20 cm.

Lily Yung, Toronto, ON, Blue Boa, 2006, Neckpiece - 100% wool felt, die cut, hand assembled 10 x 10 x 80 cm purchased for the permanent collection

Honourable mentions also went to the following;

Karina Bergmans, Ottawa On, Flower Garden 2005, Wood stretcher, fabric, embroidery, plastic, wire string foliage flowers, 45 X 47.5 X 6.25 cm

Lyn Carter, Toronto, Voice Over, 2005, Fabric and found objects, 142,5 X 210 X 5 cm

Emilie O’Brien Vancouver BC, Blanket Theory 2006, DVD, 1 minute 12 seconds looped)

Lois Schklar Toronto, ON, Mapping time #3: Drawing Excerpt # 2006, Mixed media, string, papier mache, graphite, etc. 161x l05 x 6.25 cm.

Fibreworks 2006 September 2 - October 15

Cambridge Galleries, Queen's Square, 1 North Square, Cambridge, Ontario

Gallery Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30 am-8:30 pm; Fri & Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm; Sun 1 - 5 pm

Info: 519.621.0460 or www.cambridgegalleries.ca

the Hespeler Public Library Expansion Project

Winner of the Textile Design Competition

for the Hespeler Public Library Expansion Project in Cambridge Ontario Announced

The proposal made by Lesley Armstrong and Anke Fox has been selected from among other proposals made by short listed artists, Kristen Peterson, Toronto; Nancy Price, East Dover Nova Scotia; and Deborah Wang and William Ellsworthy, Toronto, by jurors, architect, Alar Kongats, Sarah Quinton , Chief Curator, Textile Museum of Canada and Greg Hayton, CEO Cambridge Libraries & Galleries.

Both Lesley Armstrong and Anke Fox have long and impressive backgrounds as artists, designers, educators and together, as Armstrong Fox Textiles, based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia they have gained international recognition for their innovative textile designs. They have over forty years of textile design and production expertise between them and have been creating and making fabrics in a variety of textile techniques that have been used in fashion, home furnishing and textile based art.

Their proposal for the drapery will be installed in the large, featured window walls surrounding the expansion of the Hespeler Public Library in Cambridge Ontario, designed by architect, Alar Kongats. The Hespeler Library construction is expected to be complete by late November with the drapery commission forming an important element in the overall project.

Cambridge Galleries' textile based permanent collection policy as well as our history of commissioning works of art for major construction projects provided the impetus for this competition.

Cambridge Galleries, Queen's Square, 1 North Square, Cambridge, Ontario

Gallery Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30 am-8:30 pm; Fri & Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm; Sun 1 - 5 pm

Info: 519.621.0460 or www.cambridgegalleries.ca

Contemporary Textile Studio Co-op

Contemporary Textile Studio Co-op Information Meeting - An Invitation

You are invited to attend our second Information Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 pm. 401 Richmond St. W (at Spadina), Studio 111 (first floor right next door to our new space at 401!). See below for more details about the studio and our membership drive - an associate application form is also attached. Please come and learn more about our vision!

Contact
For further information on becoming involved, please contact:

Rachel MacHenry: machenry@interlog.com 416-539-9157
Cathy Lang: clang@web.net 416-588-7129

Contemporary Textile Studio Co-op

Vision
The Contemporary Textile Studio co-operative addresses an ongoing problem for textile artists and craftspersons in Toronto - access to affordable and properly equipped studio space from which we can work, teach, interact and innovate with other designers and artists, and the community.

The development of our co-operative enables full members to access equipped studio space, offer support and mentoring to each other, explore joint projects, teach and participate in workshops, take part in exhibitions and community or school partnership programs.

A fundamental aspect of our vision is a commitment to the evolution and ongoing exploration of clean, safe environmental and fair trade practice in relation to textiles. Current co-operative members envision partnering with environmental, fair trade, and social enterprises to develop new textiles, source supplies, and showcase innovative practices in the textile field.

The studio will be offered for rent to other textile artists (studio associates, see attached form) on a temporary basis, booked for educational sessions, or expanded to accommodate additional members as those possibilities arise. In the long term, we dream of expanding our space to include a gallery or retail space, and to establish ourselves as a centre for innovation and activity in the textiles field. We are moving into prime space at 401 Richmond St., situated in Toronto's cultural hub and surrounded by other artist-run centres.

Short Term Goals
… Expansion of founding members to 10 - September 2006
… Establish an equipped textile studio space (401 Richmond, Studio 109) - October 2006
… Minimize environmental impacts of studio as much as possible
… Establish Rentals - October/November 2006
… Launch Teaching - Fall 2006
… Launch Website
… Inaugural Event - December 2006

Long Term Goals
… Become formally recognized and funded as an artist run center for textiles
… Increase specialized equipment
… Create a "green" waste disposal system for water and air cleaning
… Continue exploration and education in reducing toxic impact of dye and print materials and waste
… Broaden scope of teaching to include national and international artists and community projects
… Increase joint and group ventures (joint ordering of supplies, exhibitions, joint projects and product lines, promotional launches.)
… Partner with other cultural, social and educational enterprises and institutions
… Establish a gallery or retail space
… Introduce a variety of possible services

Seeking Members
We are currently looking for additional full members who would like to be part of this dynamic and vital new addition to Toronto's cultural scene.

We are seeking individuals who:
… Are interested in working within a co-operative studio setting
… Will be actively involved in, and contribute to, our community
… Seek access to affordable studio space and specialized equipment
… Are interested in sharing their knowledge and skills through teaching
… Want to explore joint ventures (ordering, exhibitions, etc.)
… Embrace an environmental approach to studio production
… Are ready to commit a one-time membership fee of $50.00 and a monthly fee for rental and access to equipment (approx. $250 per month)
… Will contribute to co-op activities such as promotion, fund-raising, business development and maintenance

Models
Models for artist run, co-operative centers in a variety of media will inform the work and development of the co-operative:
… Open Studio, Toronto
… The Wood Studio, Toronto
… LIFT, Toronto
… The London Printworks Trust, UK ( www.londonprintworks.com)
… Designer Courses UK (designercourses.co.uk)

Information Meeting
You are invited to attend our Information Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 pm. 401 Richmond St, W (at Spadina), Studio 111 (first floor). Please come and learn more about our vision.

Contact
For further information on becoming involved, please contact:
Rachel MacHenry: machenry@interlog.com 416-539-9157
Cathy Lang: clang@web.net 416-588-7129