Flora & Fauna: Local Color 6

Flora & Fauna: Local Color 6

SAQA Connecticut Region of the Studio Art Quilt Associates

Exhibition Dates: September 16 – November 2, 2024

Opening Reception: Saturday, September 21, 2024   2pm – 5pm

Exhibition Hours: Thurs. 6 – 8 PM Sat. 10 AM – 4 PM Sun. 11 AM – 4 PM

Flora & Fauna, a new exhibit of art quilts, comes to Windsor Art Center.  The show can be viewed at The Windsor Art Center September 15 – November 2, 2024; there will be a reception to meet the artists on Saturday, September 21 from 2 until 5pm.

The exhibit consists of thirty-two pieces of fiber art created by twenty-six members of the Connecticut Region of the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA). The pieces on display range from realistic to abstract and depict real and imagined plants and animals. Some use plants to create the images; others are created by piecing fabrics together as a form of collage or through more traditional methods, and some use dyes, paints, and/or stitching to create or enhance the image.  

Each work was selected, or juried into the exhibit, by Owen Sea Luckey, a Branford artist and entrepreneur with a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design. The artists range from internationally known fiber artists to first-time exhibitors and include works from Aurelle Locke of West Granby, CT; Carol J. Vinick of West Hartford, CT; and Karen Kebinger of New Britain, CT.  

SAQA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote art quilts – “creative visual works that are layered and stitched or that reference this form of stitched layered structure”.   SAQA has over 4000 members – artists, curators, collectors and art professionals – from all over the world; 127 of them consider Connecticut one of their artistic homes.  To learn more about SAQA go to saqa.com. 

A catalog of the Flora & Fauna exhibit can be purchased on Amazon. (Information coming soon!)

Artist Panel & Discussion: 

Come listen to the different techniques used by each artist in developing and making their final piece for this exhibit. Five members from SAQA-CT will share their insight in how they developed and made their piece which is the current exhibit at WAC. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. (Artists: Christina Blais, Jill Blanchette, Liz Davis, Karen Kebinger, and Carol Vincik)

Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024, 10-12 noon

Cost: FREE

Class size: 5 min, unlimited max.

Workshop: Fabric Flower Brooches Workshop

Anna Tufankjian, a Connecticut fiber artist, will guide participants to create one or more flower inspired fabric brooches , Choice of 3 styles (bobbin Flower, zipper flower, fabric rosette). Brooches  can  potentially be  worn on an outfit , used as an embellishment for an art piece, worn as a hair accessory or decorate a tote bag. Skill level: simple hand sewing, basting, and tacking.

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024, 1-3 pm

Cost: $20 all materials included, per person

Class size: 5 min, 15 max

Presentation & Discussion: Demeter and Persephone: Storytelling with Quilts

Catherine Lavoie, a Connecticut fiber artist, uses her artwork to tell the story of Demeter and Persephone. This Ancient Greek myth of a mother and daughter coping with violent abduction, massive transformation and ultimate reunion is dramatic and powerful. Attendee’s are invited to share reactions and insights during discussion. Learn more about Catherine at www.catherinelavoieartist.com

Date: Sunday, October 6, 2024 11:30 -12:30 pm

Cost: $15 per person

Class size: 5 min, 20 max

Workshop: Big Stitch Sewing & Quilting

In this session you will learn about decorative stitching with Perle cotton thread. You will create your own sample. All supplies will be provided. This class will be taught by Karen Kebinger, a Connecticut fiber artist.

Date: October 26, 2024, 10 am – 12 noon

Cost: $20 per person

Class size: 5 min, 15 max