Flora & Fauna: Local Color 6

Flora & Fauna: Local Color 6

SAQA Connecticut Region of the Studio Art Quilt Associates

Exhibition Dates: September 21 – 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 21 – 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!)

Events:

Artist Panel & Discussion

DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 28th | 10-12 noon
LOCATION: Windsor Art Center 40 Mechanic St. Windsor, CT 06095
PRICE: FREE

Listen to five members from SAQA-CT share their insight in how they developed and made their piece for Flora & Fauna: Local Color 6. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. Featuring artists: Christina Blais, Jill Blanchette, Liz Davis, Karen Kebinger, and Carol Vincik.

Quilt Share

DATE/TIME: Sunday, October 27th | 2pm
LOCATION: Windsor Art Center 40 Mechanic St. Windsor, CT 06095
PRICE: FREE

As a part of Flora & Fauna: Local Color 6, join us on October 27 at 2:00 to share the story behind a handmade quilt that you hold near and dear to your heart, and listen to the stories of others and their quilts. You do not have to be a quilter to participate, you can bring a meaningful family quilt! This event is free and open to the public, no prior registration required.

Workshops:

Fabric Flower Brooches Workshop

DATE/TIME: Saturday, October 5th 1-3pm
LOCATION: Windsor Art Center 40 Mechanic St. Windsor, CT 06095
PRICE: $20/pp, all supplies will be provided.

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.

“Happy Mail” Mixed Media Postcards

DATE/TIME: Sunday, October 6th 11:30 – 1:30pm
LOCATION: Windsor Art Center 40 Mechanic St. Windsor, CT 06095
PRICE: $20/pp, all supplies will be provided.

Catherine Lavoie, a Connecticut fiber artist and Gina Frank, SAQA Connecticut Representative and a fiber artist will provide participants with resources and techniques in making their own happy mail cards. You will be able to walk out with a few completed cards and techniques for more ways to make future happy cards for your loved ones.

“The Big Stitch”: Sewing and Quilting Workshop

DATE/TIME: Saturday, October 26th | 10 – 12pm
LOCATION: Windsor Art Center 40 Mechanic St. Windsor, CT 06095
PRICE: $20/pp, all supplies will be provided.

Karen Kebinger, a Connecticut fiber artist, will teach participants about decorative stitching with Perle cotton thread. You will create your own sample. All supplies will be provided.