Art Quilts at the Sedgwick {Blog}

DOWNLOAD the 2008 ArtQuilts PROSPECTUS

2007-04-30T12:05:00.000-04:00

In case you haven't heard, ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick (AQatS) is no more. Yes, it's true! Okay, before the rumor mill starts running, let us fill you in...

As many of you are aware, AQatS has been in search of a new venue since the close of AQatS 2004. We were fortunate to find a temporary host at the Philadelphia Art Alliance for the 2006 event. The lovely mansion proved to be a beautiful backdrop to the stunning array of quilts presented. Of course, the question remained, where will the 2008 show be held? Well, we now have an answer.

The 2008 show is being held at the Wayne Art Center in Wayne, PA. With this new venue, we also have a new name--ArtQuilt Elements. The mission is the same--only the name changed!

We'll provide a few more details regarding the recent changes in the next and final post for this blog.

ArtQuilt Elements, formerly ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick, is a biennial juried exhibition celebrating its eighth show. In April and May 2008, AQE will be presented by the Wayne Art Center.

Please download the prospectus here: ArtQuilt Elements Prospectus [PDF, 61KB]

A Light Has DimmedThe Passing of Hilary Morrow Fletcher

2006-08-11T18:38:00.000-04:00

It is with great sadness that we must report that Hilary Fletcher, Quilt National Project Director passed away early this morning.

Karey Bresenhan, Director, International Quilt Festival, presented the sad news to the Quiltart Mailing List this afternoon. She has kindly granted us permission to re-post her message here.

From: Karey Bresenhan
Date: Aug 11, 2006 1:16 PM
Subject: [Quiltart] A sad loss for the art quilt world
To: QuiltArt

It is with great sadness that I must let you know that Hilary Fletcher died this morning about 2 a.m. Hilary has been the heart and soul of Quilt National as long as I can remember. She had decided earlier this year to retire next year after the 2007 Quilt National, but life, unfortunately, had other plans for her.

The funeral will be held in Athens, Ohio on Sunday at 1 pm;
however, Hilary herself had asked that no flowers be sent.
Instead, an endowment fund for Quilt National has been started
in her name, and it was her wish that any remembrances
be sent to that fund.

The cause of death was a recurrence of a melanoma she had
originally eight years ago; it came back as an extremely
fast-growing tumor several months ago, and despite every
effort, she lost her battle. Hilary was a truly wonderful person,
completely dedicated to art quilts, the moving force behind
Quilt National, an active collector of art quilts herself,
a board member of SAQA (where I got to know her well),
a wife, mother, and grandmother. What a huge loss for her family
and for all of us who love the world of art quilts.

Once I know how to make a donation to the endowment fund
in her memory, I will post this to the list.

Karey Bresenhan

We have since learned that donations can be made by visiting
Quiltart. Please click Help Honor QN's Hilary Morrow Fletcher
to download the form.

Respectfully,

AQatS Committee

Quilters' Save Our StoriesInterview with Pam RuBert

2006-07-31T10:00:00.000-04:00

The Alliance for American Quilts
Q.S.O.S.
Tape Number: AQATS19119-032

To see a full listing, click here

Interviewee:	Pam RuBert
Interviewer:	Melva Hightower
Project Name:	Art Quilts at the Sedgwick QSOS
Location:	between Springfield, Missouri and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date:	2006-05-24

Here's a snippet of the interview:

I've always been an artist and worked in various media including paint and ceramics and illustration but have also always been interested in fabric. I made some large textile sculptures and some art furniture but when I first saw art quilts I was very surprised and excited. It took me several years to learn some techniques, experiment and build up a collection of fabric and a studio to create quilts in but I wasn't sure what I wanted to create, what I wanted to ‘say’ with art quilts. Then one day I had a revelation—I could make cartoons that I've always drawn (even when I try to draw realistically, it usually comes out cartoonish) with fabric.

Click the tape number to read the entire interview.

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAYThe Final Chapter

2006-05-17T12:12:00.000-04:00

Shawn Towey

Click the photo to view Shawn's complete biography.

More More MoreFiber 2006

2006-05-11T17:35:00.000-04:00

ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick: On the Square closes in 10 days!

If you haven't seen it yet, GO!

If you have, GO AGAIN!

The Keeper has heard tales of possible fiber withdrawals once the show closes. Fear not. The Textile Art Alliance of the Cleveland Museum of Art presents:

Focus: Fiber 2006
(click the photo to visit the TAA website)

June 11 - July 28, 2006

A biennial juried exhibition of contemporary fiber art established in 1970. This year's show features 54 works by 35 artists from 7 states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Juror: Nancy Crow, internationally renowned quilt artist.

Opening Reception

Sunday, June 11, 2006
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Artists Archives of the Western Reserve
1834 East 123rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44106

Gallery Hours

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday
12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.

Nancy Crow Lecture & Book Signing
Friday, June 9, 2006
7:00 p.m.
Donahue Auditorium at the Dolan Science Center
John Carroll University
20700 North Park Blvd.
University Heights, OH 44118

Gallery Tours

Thursday, July 6, 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 15, 1:00 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public.

Flyers (pdf versions) with complete details:

Flyer One

Flyer Two

email: taa@clevelandart.org
Phone: 216.707.2579

Image: Detail, Veiled Threat, Eliza Brewster, Honesdale, PA

AQatS In the NewsA Patchwork Solution for a Quilt Show

2006-04-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Posted on Wed, Apr. 26, 2006

A patchwork solution for a
quilt show

By Melissa Dribben

Inquirer Staff Writer

ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick, an internationally known show and one of the most
prestigious of its kind, is up for adoption.
"We're struggling to survive," says Deborah Schwartzman, one of the local quilt artists who first organized the exhibit in 1999 at the Sedgwick community art space in Mount Airy. "It's an amazing show. Someone should want us."
For the moment, with the Sedgwick in flux, the show is in artistic foster care. This year's juried exhibition of 44 quilts is running through May 21 at the Philadelphia Art Alliance.
Unlike traditional quilts, these pieces are made from almost any material you can imagine: sheer silks and thick canvas, bits of salvaged lace, old New York subway maps, and the plastic tabs from bread bags. The designs are impressionistic and stark, complex, religious, floral, poetic and political.
The quilts were chosen from 618 submissions by 260 artists from the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. Over a marble fireplace on the ground floor hangs Bob Adams' Rhythms of Summer, the show's only quilt created by a man. (One other was done with a man's collaboration.)
Adams, a middle school art teacher from Indiana, took up the medium because his wife, a traditional quilter, continually asked him for advice about color and placement. His piece in the show is appliqued and densely stitched, but with a Rothko-like simplicity. Its deep blue background is dissected by a broad streak of orange, crossed with sinuous vertical lines of pea green.
The Surface Design Association's Award of Excellence went to Judy Langille for her Torn Forms II. The quilt was made from a piece of black cotton and thickened dyes. She used strips of paper to remove pigment from the cloth and create raw-edged rust and umber patterns.
One of the most moving quilts is an oblong banner made of fluttering swatches of material printed with prayers. Kristin Hoelscher-Schacker, a fabric artist from Lake Elmo, Minn., made the piece when her sister-in-law was diagnosed with cancer.
"The model is Tibetan prayer flags that are printed with prayers and images and hung in the wind; the wind carries the prayers to heaven," Hoelscher-Schacker writes in her statement. "Eventually, I hope to install this piece in a semi-sheltered spot in my garden so the wind can do its work."
Nearly 400 people attended the opening of the ArtQuilts exhibit, which has adopted the acronym AQATS. More than 1,500 have come to view it thus far.
Although both the AQATS organizers and the Art Alliance are happy with the
arrangement, they have yet to commit to a long-term relationship. And since the Art Alliance is currently between executive directors, no decision will be made
any time soon.
"We'd like to have a dialogue about that," said Carole Shanis, president of the Alliance. "The show is being very well received."
It was a stroke of luck that allowed the show to happen this year at all, let alone in such an elegant gallery space.
As Norman Tissian, the man who made it happen, tells the story, the seed was a bit of hubris.
"I'm a Center City egotist," he says.
Tissian, a retired advertising executive, raised his family here and has invested himself in serving on boards and promoting the city's interests. He also likes quilts.
So in April 2004, he ventured to Mount Airy to see ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick. "I thought the show was spectacular," he recalls. "And when I spoke to the woman who organized it, I said, 'Why are you here and not in Center City?' "
That woman was Cindy Friedman, a quilt artist who worked with Schwartzman to develop the exhibition into the only major art-quilt show on the East Coast. Friedman explained to Tissian that the Sedgwick was beloved for its architecture and community ties, and that while she appreciated the offer, the show was happy in its current home.
He gave her his card anyway and said, "If anything changes, call me."
Well, things changed.
The Sedgwick's director retired and the center closed for an extended period. Although it has reopened, the artists could no longer count on it as a secure venue for the quilt show.
So last spring, Friedman dug out Tissian's card and called.
"It was just a fluke," Tissian says. "I'd recently become a board member of the Philadelphia Art Alliance." The Alliance, housed in a mansion right off Rittenhouse Square, had both the interest and the gallery space to accommodate the show.
"I thought it was a marriage made in heaven!" Tissian says.
Schwartzman does, too, although only a few buyers have come forward at the Alliance, whereas every year at the Sedgwick at least a dozen and as many as 22 quilts were sold during the course of the exhibition. The difference, she says, may be due in part to Mount Airy's support for the Sedgwick and the time it takes for a new audience to develop an appreciation for this kind of work.
Still, she says, "The Alliance is a magnificent space." She just hopes to find a permanent venue that is as much in love with the exhibit as its organizers.

Contact staff writer Melissa Dribben at 215-854-2590 or mdribben@phillynews.com.

"ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick" continues at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251
S. 18th St., through May 21. Admission is free. Information: 215-545-4302 or http://www.philartalliance.org/.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/14428087.htm

AQatS In the News Don Polec's World

2006-04-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

Don Polec's World" airs Monday on Action News at 6:00 and Friday and Sunday on Action News at 11:00. Here is some additional information about recent stories Don has covered.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=features&id=3298042
Note: Streaming video not yet available.

QUILTS
04.21.06

If, when you think of quilts, you think of the rural reaches of Lancaster County and a grandmotherly group of women busily crafting a quaint bedcover, you're probably in for a surprise...if you visit the Philadelphia art alliance for the next month, and see offerings on exhibit at the 7th Annual Artquilts at the Sedgwick Show.

"They're irregularly pieced, they're not blocks at all. These are not intended for the bed, these are very much intended for a wall."

They're nothing like the quilts you imagine snuggling up with next to a warm fire on a winter's night. And in many cases, you wouldn't want to.

Since the cuddle quotient of materials like recycled pressboard, or cut up New York City subway maps does leave something to be desired but are all part of a presentation that compels visitors to radically re-think the conventional idea of a quilt.

Deborah Schwartzman/ArtQuilts Philadelphia: "They are created as art the artist has chosen the medium of fiber not paint. It's definitely not a new idea."

Cindy Friedman/ArtQuilts Philadelphia: "During the Victorian era they were using velvets and other materials. They were never meant to be actually used."

Like the inspired creations of the 44 innovative artists represented here.

She combines doilies and pieces of lace with upholstery fabric and she makes this art. It starts out as a photo, it gets transferred to fabric, it gets cut up and it gets reassembled."

Works whose artistic impact that cannot help but have a special resonance with those who view it.

"Everybody has this gut reaction to fiber. When you're born, you're wrapped in fiber, when you die, you're wrapped in fiber. You're exposed to fiber every day of your life."

And for every day of the next month, visitors will be exposed to it in ways&your grandmother could never have imagined.

On view through May 21 at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St. Rittenhouse Sq. Phila. PA. For info you can call 215-545-4302 or visit www.aqats.com. Or ArtQuilts can be reached at the Sedgwick, P.O. Box 42, Merion, PA 19066.

Center City Gallery Night

2006-04-20T12:29:00.000-04:00

Friday, April 21, 2006

Think Arty. Act Party.
Creativity.
Hors D'oeuvres.
Cocktails.
All Free.

Here's your chance to visit the ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick: On the Square exhibition in the first and third floor galleries of the Philadelphia Art Alliance and enjoy a complimentary cocktail reception 5:30-8:30 pm. Also on view in the second floor galleries, A Delicate Constitution: Reconsidering the Decorative Aesthetic.

The exhibition presents works that range from flower wreaths, to porcelain sculpture, to screenprints—all questioning the idea of the decorative object and its place in contemporary art. This exhibition includes the work of four women artists from the region: Linda Cordell, Carson Fox, Colleen Toledano, and Eva Wylie.

Download the Gallery Night map [467K PDF] and spend your evening exploring Center City's galleries in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

AQatS 2006 CD Catalog Available

2006-04-19T13:30:00.000-04:00

The 2006 ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick: On the Square
CD Catalog is available for purchase.
AQatS CD Catalogs from 2001 to 2004 are also available.

AQatS 2006 CD Catalog $15.00

Click the photo or the link on the sidebar to visit AQatS Merchant.
There you'll find complete information and directions for purchasing.

Fwd: [Quiltart] ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick

2006-04-19T12:55:00.000-04:00

It took several days but the Keeper has finally recovered from Opening Weekend. It was WONDERFUL! We have so much to share. For starters, here's a report from Suzan Hirsch sent to the Quiltart Mailing List...

Date: Apr 14, 2006 8:49AM
Subject: [Quiltart] ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick

Our show ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick opened with a bang--with 25 of the artists in attendance. We are now in a downtown Philly location with a long standing history of displaying fine art. The crowds have been large, and the press extremely positive. We have heard the comment over and over again that this is really art. This warms our hearts as that has been one of our missions. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful work! Suzan Hirsch

More to come--including pictures!

Cheers,

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2006-04-05T22:20:00.000-04:00

Melva Hightower

Click the photo to view the profile.

Catching Up, Keeping Up and Shouting Out

2006-04-01T17:31:00.000-05:00

The AQatS Committee is fervently tending to (seemingly) millions of details related to the opening of ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick: On the Square. As you can imagine, a lot of work goes into producing an exhibit. The Committee is particularly grateful for the support and energy of the ever expanding roster of volunteers. The KEEPER will hold the applause for now but expect a rather heartfelt posting some time after the show opens.

Catching Up

Our last post promised the return of WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY for the profiles of Melva Hightower and Shawn Towey. No worries--their profiles will be posted on April 5, 2006.

Keeping Up

April is Fiber Month in Philadelphia!! Find out what's happening by visiting April is Fiber Friendly OR Fiber '06 at Inliquid.com.

Don't just sit there--get into your gallery hopping gear and GO!!!

Current and Coming

LESLIE PONTZ: CONTRASTS
Crocheted Metal Sculpture

Crafts for Living Gallery
3502 Scotts Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19129
(215) 991-7601
http://www.themillsateastfalls.com/gallery.php

March 31 - April 28, 2006

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

Material Speaks: New work from the New York Art Quilt Network
The Esther M. Klein Art Gallery at the Science Center
3600 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.966.6188
http://www.kleinartgallery.com/index.htm

March 10 to April 30, 2006

Opening Reception
Thursday, April 6, 2006
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

5th International Fiber Biennial
Presenting over 95 contemporary textile artists

Snyderman-Works Galleries
303 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215.238.9576
Fax: 215.238.9351
http://www.snyderman-works.com/

March 3 to April 29, 2006

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

FIBER ARTISTS: PHILADELPHIA
an exhibition of texture and technique

DaVinci Art Alliance
704 Catherine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215)829-0466
www.angelfire.com/ok3/davinci

April 2 to 30, 2006

Opening reception
April 2, 2006
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

InLiquid at the Bride Series presents
Exhibit 4

Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: 215.925.9914
web: www.paintedbride.org

April 7 to May 27, 2006

Gallery Reception
April 7, 2006
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

and many more at April is Fiber Friendly and Fiber '06 at Inliquid.com

Shouting Out

The work of several AQatS 2006 juried artists, Committee members and AQatS Friends can be seen at events in the Philadelphia region this month. Did you know that many more of these artists have also been featured in some of the coolest places on the net? Here are just a few...

The 01/04/2006 entry on the blog art for housewives features Carolyn Lee Vehslage.

On Monday, March 13, 2006 Valerie S. Goodwin was the Quilt Artist of the Week at Whip Up.

Cheers,

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2006-03-22T13:37:00.000-05:00

Woolpack Wednesday returns next week.

Contact AQatS Committee

2006-03-21T13:40:00.000-05:00

Recent changes have been made to the sidebar to make it easier to contact the AQatS Committee.

You may reach us via email or send us an audio message using Odeo. You may also add a comment to any post.

No matter how you choose to contact us, we will get back to you as soon as possible.

We appreciate your feedback.

Cheers,

AQatS: On the Square PREVIEW

2006-03-17T16:15:00.000-05:00

The Keeper is All

2006-03-17T14:37:00.000-05:00

No. of days strictly between March 17, 2006 and April 7, 2006

20

No. of days between and including these dates

22

No. of business days strictly between these two dates

14

No. of business days between and including these two dates

16

You need to deduct any local business holidays from the last two results.

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2006-03-15T19:19:00.000-05:00

Cindy Friedman

First Reflection
16" w x 17" h

click photo to view profile

Look Back--2004

2006-03-09T04:32:00.000-05:00

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2006-03-08T19:03:00.000-05:00

Betty Ann Fellner

Betty Ann considers herself very fortunate to be the “stand-in” for the public

FIBER SHOW OPENINGS

2006-03-03T15:08:00.000-05:00

Fiber Events Opening
TONIGHT

Fifth International Fiber Biennial
curated by Bruce Hoffman
3 March through 29 April 2006
opening reception: Friday 3 March
5.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Click the photo for more information

22nd Annual
Germantown Friends School
Juried Craft Show
Philadelphia, PA
March 3-5, 2006

March 3, 4 & 5, 2006

Click the LOGOs for more information

Look Back--2003

2006-03-02T22:47:00.000-05:00

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2006-03-01T23:06:00.000-05:00

Deborah Schwartzman

Window Dressing
76” w x 42" h
February 2000
Click the photo to view the profile.

Parking in Center City Philadelphia

2006-02-28T21:35:00.000-05:00

AQatS has received a few requests for information about the parking situation around the Philadelphia Art Alliance.

There is a parking lot behind the Philadelphia Art Alliance, however, it's small so it will fill up quickly. Some street parking is available but usually hard to find in the area. The following is a list of alternatives from the Center City District's website:

Please visit specific parking company's Web sites for more information.

This is not a complete listing of Center City parking facilities.

Center City West of Broad Street	Center City East of Broad Street
Central Parking	Central Parking
1616 Chancellor St	12th & Sansom St
15th & Sansom St	1013 Arch St
219 S Broad St	1020 Cherry St
21st & Ludlow St	19-25 S 2nd St
20th & Rittenhouse Sq	36 S 2nd St
1616 Sansom St
201 S 18th St (btw 17th & 18th on Chancellor)

Five Star Parking	Five Star Parking
2031 Lombard St	Wanamaker Building just off of Penn Sq
2036 Chestnut St
2126 Walnut St

Interpark	Interpark
1815 Cherry St	1327 Locust St
1728 Sansom St	9th & Chestnut St
1800 Market St	10th & Chestnut Streets

Parkway Corporation	Parkway Corporation
20th & Walnut St	Gallery II Garage, 11th & Arch
1845 Walnut St	9th & Arch Sts (Lot)
15th & Chestnut St
15th & Chancellor St
1728 Rittenhouse (Art Alliance Lot)
17th & Rittenhouse Sts
17th & Pine Sts
23rd & Market Sts

Philadelphia Parking Authority	Philadelphia Parking Authority
Autopark at JKF Plaza, 16th & Arch St	*AutoPark at the Gallery, 10th & Filbert St
Autopark Center City, 15th & Arch St (NW Corner)	*Autopark at Independence Mall, 5th & Market St
	*Autopark at Old City, 2nd & Sansom St
	8th & Chestnut St
	Autopark at Jefferson, 10th & Ludlow
*Automated lot Patrons will need to take ticket and voucher to the management office at these garages to receive discounted parking.

Courtesy of the Textile Museum

2006-02-28T16:10:00.000-05:00

Click the image
to view complete guidelines.

The collecting and daily use of textiles in our homes is an age-old tradition. We are wrapped in them when we are born; they provide us warmth for sleep; they are carefully crafted into garments that are worn for important rites of passage, such as christenings, bar mitzvahs and weddings; they adorn our walls and they cushion our feet. This wide range of textiles is passed down through families and institutions, and with it is the responsibility of caring for them.

The textiles that you collect and preserve will generally fall into two categories: those that you display, and those you use in a limited way, but still try to preserve for the future. The latter category includes such items as wedding gowns, quilts, and household linens. In using these textiles there must be the tacit understanding that while you are doing your best to pass these items onto the next generation, they will eventually become too fragile to use, or may be damaged beyond repair. A tear can be mended, a stain possibly removed, but damage cannot be reversed/recovered even by the hands of a conservator.

Textiles that are displayed in both homes and public buildings are subject to deterioration by many environmental factors - such as light, temperature and relative humidity, dust and dirt, insects, and improper storage or display. Thus the critical factors in maintaining your textile collection are control of environmental conditions, proper display techniques, and proper storage. Understandably, the standards museums strive for are not feasible in the home, but modifications can be made in order to provide the best conditions possible. These guidelines serve as an introduction and checklist for the care of textiles in the home.

Click here or the photo above to view list of Textile Terms.

Adobe Acrobat is required. See the sidebar to download.

Look Back--2002

2006-02-23T11:16:00.000-05:00

Images from AQatS 2002

Mouse over each picture for artist and image details.

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2006-02-22T09:15:00.000-05:00

Suzan Hirsch

Tropical Paradise
26.5"w x 38"h

Click the picture to see Suzan's Profile.

POSTCARD--Get Your Postcard Here!!!

2006-02-18T04:46:00.000-05:00

AQatS 2006 Postcard

FRONT

BACK

Excuse Me Don Henley But We Must...

2006-02-16T09:21:00.000-05:00

Out on the road today I saw a deadhead sticker
On a cadillac
A little voice inside my head said, don’t
Look back. you can never look back.
Don Henley — “The Boys of Summer”

Every now and then we need to see where we've been. That's what we're doing today--a brief LOOK BACK at AQatS 2001.

Next week LOOK BACK images from 2002, 2003 and 2004 will be featured.

Nine images appear in the slide show. Mouse over for Artist and Title or click to see the full image.

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2006-02-15T19:03:00.000-05:00

This post marks the beginning of the AQatS 2006 Committee Profiles.

Okay, so who starts this off?

Click the photo to see the profile.

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2006-02-08T11:43:00.000-05:00

This person gave AQatS its identity.

Click the image to see our featured profile.

Opening Weekend Updates

2006-01-28T11:30:00.000-05:00

Brunch and Lecture

AQatS is doubly honored to have Rebecca Stevens, one this year's jurists, serve as lecturer. Ms. Stevens shall present: The Quilt Idea. Here’s a snippet of her bio:

Rebecca Stevens is the Consulting Curator, Contemporary Textiles at The Textile Museum in Washington, D.C. She is the author of numerous articles on contemporary American textiles and serves on the editorial board of The Textile Museum Journal and Textile: The Journal of Cloth and Culture. Her articles have appeared in American Craft, Fiberarts, Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot and TextileForum. She has curated exhibitions of contemporary textiles for The Textile Museum, the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, Alaska and the Missoula Museum in conjunction with the University of Montana.

The brunch and lecture will be held in the beautiful and elegant Stotesbury Mansion located at 1923 Walnut Street--just a few steps away from the Philadelphia Art Alliance.

Artists Reception and Opening

We've made a slight adjustment to the schedule for the April 7, 2006 Opening of ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick: On the Square. The reception now begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m.

Hmm, so we'll have 3 hours to dazzle you instead of 4. No matter, we're up to the task.

Full details are available on the Show Information page. Click here or the link listed under Categories on the right.

Cheers!

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2006-01-25T12:43:00.000-05:00

No sneak peek this time. This week's profile is Kay Haerland, AQats Friend and Former Committee Member.

Kay's work is a part of the
Australian Textile Surface Design Association's
2006 Up Over Down Under Exhibition

ATASDA will be exhibiting alongside their "sister" group, the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, at the prestigious Pittsburgh Centre for the Arts, from February 3rd to April 26th, 2006.

The entire combined exhibition will return to Australia to be exhibited 3rd August to 31st August 2006 in Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney; During September 2006 in TAFTA's 'Gallery 159' at The Gap, Queensland.

Click Kay's name above to view the profile.

75 Days

2006-01-23T01:28:00.000-05:00

And, we're off.

There are 75 days left until the opening of the show. Just thinking about the days counting down makes me a little wiggy--wiggy in a good way.

In an effort to bring you the best and most current information, the Keeper pulled several all-nighters to make MASSIVE changes to the blog. If you look to your right, you'll see that several items have been added to the sidebar.

First, the show information is now easier to find. This pointer is about as static as you can get on a blog so just click the link for pertinent show details. Want to tell a friend about this event? We've made it easy--email the post. Just click the icon with the arrow at the end of the post. Sharing is good.

April is Fiber Month in Philadelphia

A few years ago, ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick conceived of and spearheaded the effort to promote the extraordinary array of Fiber related events in the Philadelphia area that were occurring during the run of our show. In fact, AQatS credits former Committee member, Carolyn Vehslage, with originating the idea. Carolyn, the Mistress of Lists, noticed that the Philadelphia region was rife with fiber related events. Thus, "April is Fiber Friendly" was born. The push to make April Fiber Month has since become a citywide initiative.

Of course, April is not the only month that fiber happens. Events take place all over the region just about every month of the year. To accommodate the wealth of opportunities, we've created three sister sites to further promote fiber in the Philadelphia region.

April is Fiber Friendly
Philadelphia Region Fiber Art Events
Fiber Art Calls for Entry

Oh, but what about WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY?

No worries. It returns this week with a peek at a profile just brimming with goodness.

As always, more to come!

Cheers,

...THREE BAGS FULL

2006-01-04T15:05:00.000-05:00

A New Year/A New Schedule:

WoolPack Wednesday will now be featured every other Wednesday starting 1/11/06.
Watch for three (count 'em 3) new categories:
AQatS Workshop
AQatS Audio
AQatS Fiber Friendly

Hello, Hello--HOLA

2005-12-29T20:55:00.000-05:00

Dare I say it? WHAT A YEAR!!

The Keeper is none too happy to see the back of 2005 for personal reasons YET is hoping for a stellar 2006.

The show is scheduled to open April 7, 2006 at the Philadelphia Art Alliance. Of course, there is still quite a bit of work to be done. However, we are excited because we're adding new elements to the event.

You'd like to know what they are wouldn't you? All in due time.

For now, let's count our blessings and continue to support those affected by the tsunami, the wicked hurricane season, and all other stress inducing, life altering events.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY

2005-12-28T19:49:00.000-05:00

Okay, who is it this week? Here's a sneak peek:

Click the picture to view the category.

EVENT HORIZON

2005-12-21T19:40:00.000-05:00

ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick: On The Square opens April 7, 2006. This show represents the 7th (now biennial) juried exhibition presented by critically acclaimed AQatS. Works by 45 artists from the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia, will hang in three galleries of the preeminent Philadelphia Art Alliance located on Rittenhouse Square in Center City Philadelphia.

Exhibition Dates: April 8, 2006 to May 21, 2006
Opening Night: April 7, 2006
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Guided Tours: Thursday & Sunday 2:00 p.m.

Additional information and details will appear in the coming days.

Enjoy the holidays!

Where Have All the Updates Gone?

2005-12-20T19:46:00.000-05:00

The keeper has been working feverishly to develop new elements and features for this blog in addition to preparing for the upcoming exhibit ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick: On the Square.

Changes are afoot. Please watch for:

New Categories
New Features
Return of Woolpack Wednesday 12/28/05

'Til then....CHEERS!!

Profiles in Perseverance

2005-11-23T23:52:00.000-05:00

WOOLPACK WEDNESDAY!
Profiles of the artists who've dedicated a considerable amount of time and energy in producing AQatS.

Why woolpack?

Many have wondered.

Well, it's our fiber way of saying The Complete Package.

We'll start with a sneak peek:

Click the photo to access the profile.

The Complete Package

2005-11-20T19:37:00.000-05:00

The location has been secured, the artists have been selected--what's left to do? Well, LOTS! Putting an exhibition together requires a great deal of work. The Keeper thought it was time to acknowledge the people behind the curtain so each week--Wednesdays to be exact--we will profile a member of the Committee or one of AQatS Friends.

We've decided to call this category Woolpack Wednesdays. Why? Well, you'll see. In the meantime, here's the full listing of Committee members:

Rita Burnstein

Betty Ann Fellner

Cindy Friedman

Melva Hightower

Suzan Hirsch

Deborah Schwartzman

Shawn Towey

This blog is evolving so expect more changes in the near future.

Peace Be With You

The Results Are In Amigos!

2005-11-18T16:03:00.000-05:00

We wish to express thanks and appreciation to our jury: Rebecca Stevens, Consulting Curator, The Textile Museum, Washington D.C., Lewis Knauss, Professor, Moore College of Art And Design, Philadelphia, PA and Amy Orr, Associate Professor, Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA.

Each jurist thoughtfully reviewed over 600 quilt entries and chose 44 exceptionally talented artists whose works promise to make ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick On the Square an outstanding event.

ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick
On the Square
Philadelphia Art Alliance
April 8 – May 21, 2006

Please join us in congratulating:

Virginia Abrams
The Shallows

Bob Adams
Rhythms of Summer

Valerie Aita
The Numbers Game

Lisa Call
Structures #41

Violet Cavazos
Fireflies

Jette Clover
Ledger

Tricia Coulson
Toss Salad

Gretchen Echols
Seasons of the Muse: Desire

Bonnie Epstein
Security Blanket #4

Denise M. Furnish & C.J. Pressma
Where Is Justice

Leesa Zarinelli Gawlick
Roadside Shed

Valerie S. Goodwin
Catharsis I

Beverly Hertler
Mixed Up

Kristin Hoelscher-Schacker
Prayer Flag

Natasha Kempers-Cullen
Blowing Bubbles

Pat Kroth
Black, White and Red All Over

Carol Krueger
Gumball: Corner Pocket

Judy Langille
Torn Forms II

Eileen Lauterborn
Lines Dancing

Suzanne MacGuineas
Jennie's Pond

Barbara McKie
Menage À Trois

Patricia Mink
Wall Quilt #33

Angela Moll
Secret Diary 1

Dominie Nash
Stills From A Life 25

Anne McKenzie Nickolson
La Famille

Constance Norton
Midnight in the Garden

Jacquelyn Nouveau
Propagation

Julia E. Pfaff
It's All About Learning

Sue Pierce
Expiration Date Varies

Judith Plotner
Letter

Sarah Louise Ricketts
Rosetta

Pam RuBert
Whine and Dine at Sushi Zen

Noel M. Ruessmann
Yellow Meditation/Birches in October

Diane Savona
Worn But Not Out

Joan Schulze
Late Rain

Patti Shaw
Santa Maria

Brenda Smith
Aspens I

Daphne Taylor
Drawing in Black and Blue Fields

Deborah Tilley
Marrakesh Express

Bette Uscott-Woolsey
Lightening Rod

Kathy Weaver
Cyborg Female 6: Cunning Reversal

Barbara Webster
Moss Community

Kathyanne White
Kauri 7

Jeanne Williamson
Orange Construction Fence Series #18/37

Back to the Here and Now

2005-11-14T13:55:00.000-05:00

It's been several weeks since our last communiqué. The "keeper of the blog" was away tending to personal matters so we took a short break. We're back so expect regular updates.

While we were away...

The jurying process for ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick was completed. Based on the bountiful array of submissions, all indications point to an outstanding show.
The Committee wishes to extend thanks to each applicant for submitting such fine work.
The 29th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show wrapped yesterday. The "keeper", a regular attendee, notes that the overall event seemed to be infused with freshness. Perhaps it was the influx of new exhibitors. Whatever the reason, we're already looking forward to next years show!
An exhibit at the Fabric Workshop and Museum featuring the work of Artist-in-Residence, Teresita Fernández closed on Saturday, November 12th. "Teresita Fernández finds inspiration in nature and draws upon a wide range of materials to translate natural forces into essential elements of color and light, depth and space."

Current & Coming...

Through January 8, 2006
Jack Lenor Larsen: Creator and Collector
Kress and Rodale Galleries, Allentown Art Museum

"Jack Lenor Larsen: Creator and Collector explores Larsen as weaver, designer, technological innovator, collector, and mentor. Featured in the exhibition are many of his most admired fabric creations, drawn from the historic archives of his firm and from corporate and museum collections. These extraordinary works, landmarks in twentieth-century textile design, are accompanied by a stunning selection of pieces in glass, ceramics, wood, fiber, and metal, all collected by Larsen. He acquired many of these works when the artists, like Dale Chihuly, were just beginning their careers; others represent traditional arts from Asia, Africa, and South America. The exhibition reveals aspects of Larsen's creative process by juxtaposing objects from his collection with his textile designs so that his way of seeing and developing new ideas is illuminated."

December 3, 2005 – January 27, 2006
Craft Forms is a national juried exhibition dedicated to enhancing the public's awareness of fine contemporary American craft while providing a venue for established and emerging artists alike to share their creative endeavors. The juror for Craft Forms 2005 is David McFadden, Chief Curator, Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY.

December 7, 2005 -March 6, 2006
Orange County Regional History Center
"New Kiosk Technology at The History Center Allows Visitors to add Stories to Digital Quilt. The exhibit, titled From Fabric to Pixels: Storytelling through Quilts, opens in Orlando featuring historic quilts and contemporary creations by quilters or quilt owners from across Florida. These fabric quilts are juxtaposed against a digital quilt installation composed of stories created by the exhibit’s visiting patrons."

January 9 - 11, 2006
Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA

"The creative industry impacts every aspect of the economy. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, artists, and technology professionals will exchange ideas and help to create a framework for understanding how the Creative Economy contributes to the economic future of the world.
Creative professionals representing design, architecture, engineering, textiles, fashion, music production, film production, communications, software development, the performing and fine arts, and web design will meet for three days to learn best practices and strategies of successful creative economies. Participants from around the glode will share their experiences and learn how creative industries interact and converge, generate wealth, businesses, and jobs within their regions."

January 27 – March 15, 2006
The Thread Counts Project
Coordinated by Luanne Stovall and Leila Lee Mitchell for Gallery Artists Studio Projects
"The Thread Counts Project is designed to investigate the binding nature of thread and to recognize its dual role as both a noun and a verb. Through this lens, thread is experienced as an interconnective dynamic tissue that operates at the core of our daily lives."

March 3, 2005 - April 29, 2005
5th International Fiber Biennial 2006- Curated by Bruce Hoffman
Snyderman-Works Galleries, 303 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

April 1 - 9, 2006
DesignPhiladelphia
"DesignPhiladelphia is a catalyst for advancing the public's awareness of design exploration and innovation in or about this city. To realize this effort, DesignPhiladelphia creates opportunities to enhance the public's appreciation of the design disciplines. DesignPhiladelphia spotlights retailers, galleries, restaurants, museums and professional associations, producing gallery tours, public lectures, exhibitions, fashion shows and design-oriented children's workshops. The annual kick-off event is an exhibition and symposium entitled Philadelphia design experiment, v. 2.0. The exhibition showcases multidisciplinary design work from seven universities and colleges whose students are proposing innovative ideas and strategies for revitalizing the city's neighborhoods, communities, culture and industries."

June 11-July 28, 2006
Focus: Fiber 2006
Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, 1834 E. 123rd Street, Cleveland OH 44106
Presented by The Textile Art Alliance of the Cleveland Museum of Art. A regional exhibition open to fiber artists who live in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or West Virginia or are members of The Textile Art Alliance.

P.O.S.T Philadelphia Open Studio Tours

2005-09-24T12:16:00.000-04:00

"Philadelphia Open Studio Tours™ (POST™) is a grassroots effort to celebrate Philadelphia’s visual artists, to promote Philadelphia's vibrant art community and to connect the general public to the artists. The event allows visitors from the region and beyond to meet visual artists in their workspaces, view and purchase artwork, and introduce children and families to art in a welcoming environment.

During the sixth annual city-wide event, 185 professional visual artists in 20 Philadelphia neighborhoods will open their studios to the public for the display and sale of their artwork. These tours are free and self-guided and will occur on two weekends in October."

Studios West of Broad Street
Saturday and Sunday, October 8–9, 2005, 12–6 p.m.

Studios East of Broad Street
Saturday and Sunday, October 15–16, 2005, 12–6 p.m.

AQatS invites you to join the tour and view the work of all participating artists especially former AQatS Committee Member, Leslie Pontz and past AQatS exhibitor, Wendy Osterweil.

Also visit...

Sedgwick Cultural Center neighbors:

InFusion - A Coffee and Tea Gallery, Jean-Jacques Gallery, Amoeba Art Shop , Charles Todd/Mt. Airy Custom Furniture and Dr. Valarie Ena Swain .

Local Fiber artists:

K. Pannepacker and Jacqueline Unanue.

Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show

2005-09-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick invites you to attend the 29th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, November 10-13, 2005.

The juried show and sale features the finest limited edition and one-of-a-kind decorative and functional objects made of glass, metal, wood, clay and fiber as well as jewelry and wearable art.

In addition to 195 of the best contemporary craft artists from across the U.S., 26 artists from Germany will exhibit as part of the Guest Artist Program.

The show is fast approaching but advance discount tickets are still available for purchase. Tickets are $8.00 each with the purchase of 10 or more. This is a significant savings off the general admission price of $15.00 per person and the Two-Day pass at $20.00 per person. Tickets may be used individually or as a group but orders must be received by October 28, 2005.

Tickets for the Preview Party and the Lunch & Lecture Series are also still available.

Please visit the PMA Craft Show website for complete details.

Deborah Schwartzman's New Show

2005-09-22T10:53:00.000-04:00

ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick Co-Director Deborah Schwartzman presents...

Rooms With A View
Studio Quilts by Deborah Schwartzman
September 23 to October 30, 2005

Opening
Friday, September 23rd
6-8 PM

Moderne Life Interiors
325 Old York Road
Jenkintown, PA 19046
215.886.8490
www.modernelife.com

Hours

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday
12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick Update

2005-09-13T08:23:00.000-04:00

NEW DEADLINE

The deadline for submission has been extended to October 10, 2005.

NEW VENUE

The Sedgwick Cultural Center is currently closed for reorganization and renovation but THE SHOW MUST GO ON so AQatS has changed its venue to the Philadelphia Art Alliance, the oldest multidisciplinary arts center in the United States. Located in the beautiful, historic Wetherill mansion on Rittenhouse Square in Center City, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, brings visual, literary and performance arts to the Philadelphia area for all who wish to enjoy innovative creativity at it's best.

We are, of course, excited by the change. We'll have opportunity to introduce Art Quilts to a broader audience and hopefully, develop closer ties to artists and institutions in the area.

SHOW INFORMATION

Show Dates:

April 8, 2006 to May 21, 2006

Location:

Philadelphia Art Alliance
251 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6168
(215) 545-4302

Submissions are being accepted at the Sedgwick Cultural Center!

Applications must be received by the new deadline: OCTOBER 10, 2005

So do not wait, get those slides and application in the mail today. A PDF version of the 2006 application is available for download here. You may also contact Deborah Schwartzman via telephone 215.438.5109 or e-mail quiltist@comcast.net for a paper version or with any other questions.

The entry fee is $30.00.

Make check payable to: Sedgwick Cultural Center

Send Application Form, Slides, Check & SASE to:

Sedgwick Cultural Center
ATTN: AQatS '06
7137 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119

Cheers,
AQatS Committee

2006 PROSPECTUS

2005-02-17T10:34:00.000-05:00

The 2006 ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick prospectus is available for download.

Visit the website for full details or click here to go directly to prospectus.

In coming days, more information will be added to this blog. In the meantime, we welcome your comments and suggestions.

A New Beginning

2005-01-23T15:23:00.000-05:00

We are pleased to announce the opening of this new site. The goal is to provide the Quilt Community with updates and information about the show and art quilts in general. Of course, you can still access our website at www.aqats.com for full details on our activities.

ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick is scheduled for April, 2006. In the meantime, keep watch on these pages.