If you are at all interested in reading about contemporary fiber, you might find this book of interest.  I meant to mention it in my gallery talk but forgot about it.  It has expanded my vocabulary when talking about my own work:

In the Loop by Jessica Hemmings, black dog publishing, London, uk. 2010

It came out of a conference that Hemmings and Linda Newington organized at the Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton in 2008.  It presents many different approaches to knitting.  It is not an instructional book.  Hemmings and Newington invited artist to talk about their work as well as provide images.  They also invited Jo Turney to look at knitting in literature.

The book looks at knitting as source of narrative, activist activity, and the influence of technology on it, but it could easily apply to all sorts of art activity.  It expands the dialogue about what we make and why we make it.  I find it quite refreshing and pick it up and just read a chapter and let it sink in...

Dolores Slowinski

Innovators & Legends Fiber Exhibit

Innovators & Legends: Generations in Textiles and Fiber

December 13, 2012 – March 17, 2013

Muskegon Museum of Art

296 W. Webster Ave.

Muskegon, MI  49440

www.muskegonartmuseum.org

(231) 720-2570

It is worth the drive to Muskegon to see this fiber show.   The Muskegon Museum of Art has a reputation for having a fine collection.  They also do a fine job with special exhibitions.  This is the last special show in their celebration of 100 years as a museum.  The work is beautifully installed giving the viewer and the work room to be together.  It is just the right size.  You can be delighted without feeling overwhelmed.

Artists in the show:  Adela Akers     Ilze Aviks     Susan Taber Avila     Mary Bero     Susie Brandt    

Sandra Brownlee     Mira Burack     Deborah Frazee Carlson     Nick Cave     Nancy Crow     Anica Cuppetelli    Lindsay Ketterer Gates     Sally Hayden Gilmore     Layne Goldsmith     Ted Hallman     Karen Hampton  Geary Jones (also guest curator)     Mary Anne Jordan     Lewis Knauss     Gerhardt Knodel     Hyuk Kwon     Jane Lackey    Gyöngy Laky   Mi-Kyoung Lee     Jiseon Lee Isbara     Joan Livingstone     Tom Lundberg     Amy Clarke Moore     Mark Newport     Laura Foster Nicholson     Hwa-Jin, Oh     Michael Olszewski     Jason Pollen     Sara Rockinger     Arturo Alonzo Sandoval     Cynthia Schira     Celeste Scopelites    Warren Seelig     Kay Sekimachi     Piper Shepard     Carol Shinn     Sherri Smith     Pamela C. Turczyn     Pauline Verbeek-Cowart     Sarah Wagner     Jon B. Wahling     Katherine Westphal     Anne Wilson     Bhakti Ziek

Lots of Michigan connections in the group!

Also worth seeing is the ReMix of the permanent collection with new acquisitions made for the 100^th anniversary of the museum.  The museum does an excellent job of presenting the new work in the context of expanding the collection in accordance with its established history in the community.  Read the labels carefully to savor the stories of how each work came into the collection.

A restaurant I cannot recommend too highly is

The Hearthstone Bistro

3350 Glade St. just off Seaway Drive at the corner of Norton Ave.

Muskegon, MI  49444

(231)  733-1056, call to see if you need reservations

Hours:  Mon – Thurs 11a – 10p; Fri-Sat 11a – 11p; Sun 4p – 9

This is the place to go if you want a very special experience, with excellent food beautifully presented by polite and knowledgeable wait staff.  $$$

Otherwise there is a Traverse City Pie Company as well as other chains in the area.

Cheers,

Dolores S. Slowinski

PS  If I can survive driving up there in white out conditions between Grand Rapids and Muskegon, don’t let weather deter you!  Ha!

EXHIBIT REVIEW

Green from the Get Go is a not to be missed exhibit at the Eleanor and Edsel Ford estate along the river of Grosse Pointe Shores. It is touted as an exhibit of baskets, but I would be more inclined to call them vessels. Baskets is a far too pedestrian a term to us for these breath taking shapes of natural materials.

From the Ford House materials:

"These sculptural baskets are made from both flora and fauna – materials include bamboo, pine, sea grass, willow, emu feathers and porcupine needles."

Read more at: https://www.fordhouse.org/News.html?109

The exhibit is housed in the Visitor Center  and will continue through March 10, 11 a.m through 5p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated.

The following photos were taken by Tom Grotta of browngrotta arts.


1. Dora Anderson, CROSSING OVER

2. 2. Jane Balsgaard, BARKBADEN



3. Dorothy Gill Barnes,  FOLDED BARK W/ APPLE BRANCHES

4. Dorothy Gill Barnes, HAYSTACK RIVER BASKET

SAVE THE DATE!

SAVE the DATE!  Meet and Greet Jane Dunnewold

Jane Dunnewold, President of SDA, teacher and author, will be in Detroit and wants to meet YOU! Please join us for a pot-luck dinner on Thursday, March 7th, at 5:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share and your beverage of choice. Tea and coffee will be provided. I'll send a reminder as we get closer to the big day.

This event is limited to SDA members only.  RSVP to me, Susie at skrage2@att.net.

Please watch the blog for any updates. www.sdami.blogspot.com  The event will be held at my home in Detroit:

1731 Seminole St.

Detroit 48214

Susie

A Workshop with Jacqueline Sullivan

Totally Transfers A Workshop with Jacqueline Sullivan   Instructions for various types of transfers are everywhere - but have you been successful ? Join Jacqueline for a full day workshop to learn new transfer techniques and improve your skills ! Where Goldner Walsh Nursery 559 Orchard Lake Road Pontiac Michigan When February 16, 2013 ~ Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm Register Workshop fee:  $55 payable in advance by check or PayPal. If paying by check please notify Jacqueline by emailthat you would like to enroll and mail the workshop fee to: Jacqueline Sullivan - 4550 Dora Lane - Lake Orion, MI 48359.  PayPal is also very convenient and secure. If you already have a PayPal account just log in and use this email addressjacquelinesullivan@mac.com in the TO: box under the "send money" tab. New to PayPal ? Click on my blog link for instructions. Map & Parking google map link to Goldner Walsh Nursery - workshop location plenty of free parking on site ! A full day of transfer play.... Have you been searching for a hands on workshop to learn or improve your image transfer artistic skills ? Join Jacqueline Sullivan on Saturday February 16 in Pontiac Michigan for a full day workshop to learn new transfer techniques or improve your current skill level. This class is primarily a process workshop - hands on in a rustic studio-like setting - to learn various transfer techniques under the guidance of an experienced art instructor. Transfers will be made from transparencies and various types of papers. We will transfer to canvas, paper, tissue and even fabric !  If time allows we will build a small collage using acrylic paint and our newly created transfers. All images and transfer materials as well as extensive handouts are included in your registration. Workshop Day This full day workshop offers 6 hours of instruction and work with 45 minutes for lunch on your own. Restaurants are limited in the area so you may want to bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea will be available throughout the day.  Dress in layers as we will be working in an area on the nursery property which can be a little chilly. Artist Supply List {please bring the following to the workshop} Hair Dryer - to help dry your images and art work Container for water - at least 16 oz plastic 1" golden taklon brush [or similar] - Jacqueline suggests Master Craft brushes from Hobby Lobby Bone Folder Cancellation Policy Full workshop fee will be refunded if cancellation request received by Feb 6. However, I regret that I must reserve a $10 processing fee to provide this refund.

Dolores Slowinski...A RESPONSE IS REQUESTED

Threadlines

by Dolores S. Slowinski

January 4 – February 8, 2013

Lansing Art Gallery

119 N. Washington Square

Lansing, MI 48933

(517) 734-6400

Catherine Babcock, Director of the Lansing Art Gallery and her assistant, Sara Pulver, did a wonderful job installing the 58 pieces in the show and hosting a lovely opening reception for which I am most appreciative. In addition, Catherine has graciously arranged a radio interview for me in Lansing on January 22, 2013 at 9 AM.
 

I would like to maximize my trip to do the radio interview, and am exploring the feasibility of doing a gallery talk at the LAG on January 22, 2013 in conjunction with my show. It is a Tuesday, which I know is inconvenient for people who are working. But perhaps there are a few folks with flexible schedules who would like to know a little more about my work.

I would like to know how many people would like to come to the gallery at 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM for a gallery talk. I would bring the sketchbook in which I document my work as well as small examples that I could pass around and even perhaps a new piece I am just beginning. This would not be a power point presentation but rather a discussion with the real work on site.

If you are interested in attending, please e-mail me as soon as possible: slowinskistudios@gmail.com
Please include your preferred time.

Thank you for your interest. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dolores S. Slowinski

www.doloresslowinski.com

Kalamazoo's Next Meeting

Karin Larsen, the SDA Ambassador from Kalamazoo announces the next meeting; Everyone is invited to attend.

January 20th, 2 p.m.

2313 Parkview Ave.

Kalamazoo, Michigan

AGENDA

Bring item(s) that others might use that you no longer need; for a friendly gift exchange.

Time for introducing ourselves and sharing about the Michigan Challenge.

Upcoming shows and networking

Two members will share their experience with selling on the internet with those that haven’t sold on the net yet.

A new technique will be shared to add to your bag of tricks.

Future meetings will follow the same format.

  Exchange time

  Sharing our work to support one another

  Upcoming shows in the area and networking

  Technology:

     Navigating the SDA site

     Blogging

     Photography for better sales

     New techniques

 Contact Karin Larsen for directions or questions:

 karinlarsen@ mediopic.com