Holding Space/Moving Energy with Amber Friedman, BC and Erin Hamilton, NB. Join us May 04, 2013 at the yurts for the “Meet the Artists” opening reception – 2 to 4 p.m.  Exhibition continues thru to June 16. Thank you to ARTSNB and Craft Council of Canada.

Greetings All!

We’ve been waiting for this since summer of 2011 when Elin presented her first series of dye workshops at FibreWorks. We are delighted to announce her return and have attached the information for the two workshops that Elin will present at FibreWorks at the end of September and beginning of October. We are very pleased to advise that Elin will also have an exhibition at FibreWorks following the workshops – and she will be here for the opening of her exhibition.

If you are interested in working with Elin in either of these sessions, please contact me as soon as possible – there are limited spaces in each session.

Yvonne

It’s Spring – and at FibreWorks we’re celebrating with the opening of our 6th season with the work of Jennifer Love – “Cuttings.”

This exhibition opens Saturday, March 30 and you have an opportunity to meet the artist from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The exhibition continues through to April 28th.

We’re busy with workshop scheduling, including the Els van Baarle batik masterclass. Mary Bentley`s 4-shaft weaving classes have space available in the second session (May 11 & 12) and in the September 8-shaft weaving session.  Click here for more information.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the yurts this season – we will be open Wednesday thru Sunday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment.

Today and tomorrow – Wednesday and Thursday – the decks at FibreWorks are “Singing the Blues” with indigo dye vats. Ros Aylmer is creating the blue magic in two large vats – one a ferrous indigo vat – and students are bringing skeins of yarns or pieces of cloth (or small articles of clothing) to experience the colour changes. There are a few spaces left in the Thursday session – beginning at 10:00 a.m. $60 plus HST.

Yvonne and Julie are finishing their exhibition pieces and planning the installation opening “Bloom Where You Are Planted” on Saturday, September 15th – with artists reception beginning at 2:00 p.m. The artists have designed and created pieces inspired by their physical environment – rural and urban. The exhibition of colour and texture continues through to November 11th.

See you at the yurts!

This past weekend, Hattie Olsen’s pine needle class once again created a new group of basketmakers. It is always fascinating so see how each piece is unique, so matter the same instructions. Next pine needle basketry class is Sept 22 & 23 – see upcoming workshops for details.

Edna Cers exhibition of batik opened August 11th and the reception provided an opportunity to meet the artist from Sweden.

The exhibition continues through to September 09 – see details on current exhibition.

Summer always brings dyeing opportunities to the deck at FibreWorks and the dye pots and brushes have been busy.

Watch for workshop announcement for indigo dyeing with Ros Aylmer early September.

Exhibition:

“Drop by Drop” – the work of Catherine Nicholls and Elizabeth Harris Nichols concludes today. (www.harrisnichols.com; www.ravensthread.com)

Approximately 1100 gallery visitors enjoyed the “water” exhibition and many went home with Elizabeth’s jugs, bowls and personal tidal pools.

“Me and My Shadow” – Edna Cers – Sweden – an exhibition of batik opens Saturday, August 11 – 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Come and meet the artist and enjoy Edna’s batik works on paper and textiles. Edna’s work has been exhibited in Sweden, Iceland and Chile – this is her first exhibition in North America.

Upcoming Exhibits:

September 15 to November 11 – “Bloom Where You’re Planted” – Julie Pongrac/Yvonne Stowell, (BC)

November 16 to January 06, 2013 – Seasonal Exhibition Made by Hand 2012– unique gifts for the season created by local, national and international fibre artists

Workshops:

Hattie Olsen, BC Pine Needle Baskets August 18 & 19

Hattie Olsen, BC Pine Needle Baskets September 22 & 23

Learn the traditional art of basket making with pine needles and waxed linen thread with basketmaker and storyteller, Hattie Olsen.

In the studio:

Weaver’s Circle with Mary Bentley continues every Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – drop in fee – a great opportunity to weave at your own pace and learn from a master weaver.

Spin-In – last Thursday of every month – Sunshine Coast Spinners & Weavers Guild gather in the studio to spin and share information – open to the public and non-Guild members are welcome. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Yvonne is concentrating on handspun yarns for knitting and weaving, so her stash of commercial yarns is slowly making its way to the sale table and the freebee basket – there is something for everyone! For more information, please contact  Yvonne Stowell and “like” us on facebook (fibreworksstudioandgallery).

See you at the yurts!

As we continue our 5th anniversary celebrations, we are in the last week of “Indaba” exhibition by James Powell, Kerrie Anne Riles, Barbara Johnston, Lois Roberts – to date, 375 visitors have enjoyed their art.

“Drop by Drop” – the work of Catherine Nicholls and Elizabeth Harris Nichols opens Saturday, June 16th with an artist reception from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Catherine and Elizabeth have joined forces to create a body of work that celebrates the water that is, that has been and will always be. Working in contemporary media these two artists respond to the natural world and the watery West Coast that is home. (www.harrisnichols.com; www.ravensthread.com)

Join the artists for refreshments and enjoy the opportunity to discuss their art.

Artist-In Residence:

Kerrie Anne Riles from New South Wales continues her quilt art in the Workshop yurt – thru to Sunday, June 10th. Visit her during our regular hours – Wednesday thru Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Kerrie Anne’s passion for birds is becoming very evident on her story board! You can check out Kerrie Anne’s work at www.studiobythelake.com.au

Workshops:

Hattie Olsen, BC Pine Needle Baskets (2 Workshops!)
June 09 & 10 (this class is full)
July 28 & 29

Learn the traditional art of basket making with pine needles and waxed linen thread with basketmaker and storyteller, Hattie Olsen.

Elizabeth Harris Nichols, BC – Painting in One Day
Working with a Still Life from Nature – June 22
Plein Air – July 15

The theory of the Painting in One Day workshop is to simplify the processes for novices to learn the fundamentals and for the advanced students to learn to develop freedom in their style. We will explore the concepts of constructing still life in a workshop that has been especially formulated for FibreWorks Gallery to consider these methods and concepts with other media.

The Painting in One Day workshop takes the artist through the steps of developing the underpainting, the mid-painting and the finished painting in relatively quick succession. Not only will the student understand the fundamental development and basic principles of the structure of painting, but also the basics of colour theory, composition, articulation of subject, value systems, editing chaos and depth/perspective concepts.

Catherine Nicholls, BC – Exploring the Natural World
June 25 to 28

A 4-day workshop with Catherine Nicholls – using the natural world as our source of inspiration, we will experiment on fabric to recreate and interpret nature’s wide range of textures and colours. For the first 2 days we will explore the use of ink, paint, crayon and discharge in a variety of techniques creating samples and generating ideas. Students will then be guided through the process of developing their own original composition, pattern and fibre art masterpiece.

Jill Denton, UK Fundamental Felt
June 29 & 30

A 2-day workshop covering a range of wet-feltmaking techniques. The emphasis will be on good practice and developing an understanding of the behaviour and properties of different wools and fibres during the magical process of feltmaking. We will start by working on samples, moving on to create a personal project in flat felt. This workshop is suitable for beginners, or those with some experience. Feltmaking is a unique and fascinating textile technique and each student will be encouraged to find and work at her own pace. Above all, feltmaking is fun!!

Jill Denton, UK Nuno Felt – Taking a Step Further
July 3 to 5

Nuno felt is a fine lightweight felt created by fusing a thin layer of wool onto a base of loosely woven fine fabric such as silk chiffon, thus producing a strong, drapable fabric, suitable for garments and accessories.

This 3-day workshop will introduce you to this fascinating technique and allow you to develop a sound understanding of the process. After working through several samples, you move on to your personal project(s), which could be a simple sleeveless garment (tunic or vest), or 2 simpler items such as a scarf, wrap, shrug or cowl. Instruction and advice will also be given on garment design/pattern construction, finishing and aftercare.

This class is for the more advanced student, so only suitable for those with prior feltmaking experience, or students that have completed the “Fundamental Felt” workshop on June 29/30.

Day 1 You will begin by working through various samples to learn and develop an understanding of the Nuno technique. You will then move on to make your own pattern for a sleeveless garment or other nuno project. Day 2 &3 will be spent creating your garment.

Catherine Nicholls, BC – Imagination
July 11 to 14

It’s time to find those images you have tucked away – you know the ones! The beautiful images of an inspiring subject and you have always wanted to do “something” with them – well, now’s the time! This 4-day workshop will show you how to develop your own designs from images or sources of information. Each day will begin with creativity exercises to get those ideas flowing!

In the studio:

Weaver’s Circle with Mary Bentley continues every Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – drop in fee – a great opportunity to weave at your own pace and learn from a master weaver.

Notice to all weavers – the studio is full of wonderful 2/20 mercerized cottons; rayon chenilles and rayon slubs from the studio of Lucy Slykerman – a great way to build your stash!

Spin-In – last Thursday of every month – Sunshine Coast Spinners & Weavers Guild gather in the studio to spin and share information – open to the public and non-Guild members are welcome. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Yvonne is concentrating on handspun yarns for knitting and weaving, so her stash of commercial yarns is slowly making its way to the sale table and the freebee basket – there is something for everyone!

See you at the yurts!

Click here to visit Kerrie-Anne’s website.