CTFAC Begins 2014 Welcoming New Members

Yesterday our group gathered in Hartford to tour the 100 Pearl Street Gallery and Theaterworks exhibit area in anticipation of our upcoming exhibits.

Afterward we had a wonderful brunch at Diane C's home followed by our first general meeting of 2014.

We are thrilled to welcome Wanda Seldon (left) and Christina Blais (right) to the group!

Then, we did a little "shopping" when Diane and Carol V pulled out bin after bin of a late friend's stash that they wanted to share with us. Thank you!

CTFAC Welcomes New Member Christina Blais

We would like to welcome Christina Blais, owner of One Bobbin, Bridgeport, CT to CTFAC.

Christina comes to art quilting from a background in engineering and data analysis and although having learned to sew starting at age nine, and having more than a few traditional quilts under her belt, has only been art quilting for a few years.   She already has several honors to her credit, including two artworks in the SAQA regional traveling show, Local Color, and an Honorable Mention in the All People Quilt Grand Central Quilt Challenge. 

One Bobbin is Christina's business in the American Fabric Arts Building in Bridgeport. She provides space and instruction for individuals and small groups to work on sewing projects. Christina is an accomplished teacher and provides support and direction for individuals who are just starting out. 

We encourage you to visit One Bobbin on Facebook. 

CTFAC Announces Exhibit Schedule for 2014

At our December meeting our exhibition plans for 2014 were finalized. These are the shows we are planning:  

Duncaster Retirement Center, Bloomfield, CT

Spring Theme - Title TBA

March 2014

Legislative Office Building, Hartford, CT

"Impromptu Fibers 2" in conjunction with Sisters in Cloth and Women Against the Grain

April 16-30, 2013

Norfolk Library, Norfolk, CT

Title TBA

May 2014

100 Pearl Street Gallery, Hartford, CT

"Jazz Tones" with special guest artist Edjonetta Miller

June 15 - August 23, 2014; Reception Thursday, June 26

Connecticut Department of Transportation

Title TBA

September 9 - October 23, 2014

TheaterWorks "Woody Sez", Hartford, CT

August 8 - September 14, 2013

CTFAC at the Pearl Street Gallery in Summer 2014

Excitement is mounting for CTFAC as we just learned that we have been accepted into the 100 Pearl Street Gallery in Hartford, Connecticut for an exhibit in the summer of 2014.

Diane Cadrain was the major impetus behind the application and it paid off. Check back for additional details on that exhibit and others that are being planned for next year.

CT Fiber Arts Collective Creates High Energy!

The CT Fiber Arts Collective not only creates fabulous art but they also keep the energy level high wherever they go! The collective recently met at the Wheeler House Restaurant and from the moment the meeting started there was a fun vibe in the air...  sometimes you just need to dance!

Mary Lachman, Rosalind Spann, Diane Cadrain and Carol Vinick!



The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective announces the 2014 Exhibit Calendar

Autumn breezes are quickly replacing August heat and the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective is finalizing its exhibit calendar for 2014.

Look for us and our new works at the following venues:

• Duncaster Center, Bloomfield, CT in March
• Norfolk Library, Norfolk, CT in May
• CT Department of Transportation, Newington, CT in September

CTFAC Exhibit and Sale in Norfolk

The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective continues an exhibit and sale of handmade gift items at the Norfolk Artisan Guild in September. If you are looking for a nice, leisurely drive to a quiet corner of Connecticut, a trip to Norfolk just might be the right thing over Labor Day weekend or anytime in September!

Hands-On Demonstrations by Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective Members!

 This past Sunday the Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective presented hands-on demonstrations at the Norfolk Artisans Guild, Station Place, Norfolk. The weather was perfect and the visitors friendly.

Please stop by the guild and pick up an early holiday gift. Be sure to say "hi" to the guild mascot!

Our members will have artwork for sale through September!







Diane Cadrain showed us how she creates felted jewelry

Diane says making felted balls is soothing and relaxing!

Diane strings the finished felted balls into beautiful necklaces

Carol Vinick demonstrated how to use recycled silk ties
to create new designs on silk scarves

Carol laid recycled silk scarves on top of a plain silk scarf.
Next she folded the scarf in half and rolled all layers up with plain cotton.

Carol took the rolled up fabric and boiled with 2 TB. white vinegar and water for 45 minutes

Once the fabric was cooled Carol unrolled to discover to discover the design from the ties
has transferred to the plain silk scarf... magic!

Rosalind Spann shared her techniques for wrapping fibers around
cording to create unique and beautiful jewelry



Rosalind talks about the best qualities when it comes to
choosing the many fiber options available.

Rosalind discussed how she combines varies colors and fibers
to achieve specific results

Rosalind shows off her beautiful jewelry!

The day was a lot of fun and we hope to see you at the guild soon!

Norfolk Artisans Guild Hosts the Collective

During August we have handmade fabric and fiber items for sale at the Norfolk Artisans Guild in Norfolk, CT.  Visit and you will find hand-dyed silk scarves, felted flower brooches, embellished eyewear cases, clutches, felted wool hats, and stuffed animals...and of course a few art quilts!

An opening reception and art demonstrations is scheduled for Sunday, August 4th from 1-4 PM.  Now is the perfect time to enjoy the charm of northwest Connecticut and stop in to meet members of The Collective.  It is also a wonderful time to purchase a few unique and one-of-a-kind gifts for that special someone?

The Norfolk Artisans Guild is located in the town of Norfolk. It would be a great side trip for anyone attending the Litchfield Jazz Festival or Infinity Hall! And remember there are several good eateries right around the corner and plenty of easy access parking!

Diane Cadrain's Quilt in Lowell Life magazine

"Buddhist Temple", a quilt created by Diane Cadrain, is featured in an article about the Lowell Quilt Festival in August.  We hope you have a chance to visit the show. 

The Lowell Quilt Festival is August 8 - September 7, 2013. http://thebrush.org

Carol Vinick at the Brush Gallery, Lowell MA - "Tangled Up in Blue"

A quilt by Carol Vinick was juried into the "Tangled Up in Blue" exhibit at the Brush Gallery in Lowell, MA as part of the Lowell Quilt Festival! This is an image of her amazing work.

"Tangled Up in Blue" by Carol Vinick
Photography by Tim Becker

For more information:
Art Quilts Lowell 2013: A Juried Exhibition
The Brush Art Gallery and Studios
256 Market Street, Lowell, MA 01852
http://www.thebrush.org/

The exhibition is open August 8 - September 7, 2103

Bartlett Arboretum Reception and Exhibit

Meet the CTFAC artists today at the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford for the opening reception of Botanical Inspirations: Capturing Nature in Fiber. The reception is 12 noon to 4 p.m.

The exhibit continues through the month of June.

Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens

151 Brookdale Road

Stamford, CT

Political Quilts of Carol Vinick

Carol Vinick is presenting a trilogy of quilts with a political message at the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford, CT www.charteroakcenter.org

Community Quilt: Linking Communities Together One Thread at a Time
June 6 - July 20, 2013
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 6, 6:00-8:00 PM

Calendar Girls

In anticipation of the upcoming Bartlett Arboretum exhibit the Collective members took a break from all the stitching and dyeing and general creativitity to have a photo shoot in the backyard.

Left to Right: Carol Eaton, Antonia Torres, Carol Vinick, Karen Loprete, Diane Cadrain, Mary Lachman, Rosalind Spann

Botanical Inspirations

Our next exhibit is Botanical Inspirations: Capturing Nature in Fiber.

The opening reception is Sunday, June 9, 2013 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Flower Power - Karen Loprete

The following are examples of the work that will be in the show. Please come and join us at the reception.

Charter Oak - Diane Cadrain

Connecticut Season Change - Karen Loprete

Black-Eyed Susan Vine - Carol Vinick

Orange Daisy - Carol Vinick

Rosalind Spann

Harvest Moon
Mary Lachman 2012

SAQA - "Local Color"

Congratulations to the members of the Collective whose quilts were selected to appear in the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) Connecticut exhibit opening in May 2013 at the Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.  This is a sampling of the pieces in the show.

Reflections 
Rosalind Spann

Autumn Birch
Antonia Torres

Weekend Walks with Sharon
Carol Eaton

Aerial View
Mary Lachman

Felting Workshop at the Unitarian Society

Yesterday CFAC participated in a workshop, "Pictorial Felting on Silk",  led by wool artisan and puppetter, Robin McCahill.  Here are some of the photos from the day.

Robin discussing the technique of wool felting on silk, otherwise known as nuno felting.

A table full of color - wool roving!

Rosalind busy at work (she has allergies, hence the protective gear, just in case).

Toni and an emerging flower garden

Flowers and leaves - to be!

A lovely finished fabric

Another completed fabric

Toni and Roz at work

Diane and friends layering wool

Stairwell Gallery Reception - Gunn Memorial

Thank you to everyone who came out to meet us at the Gunn Memorial Library yesterday.

We want to thank Carolyn Hartman and the library staff for their warm welcome and generous support during our first exhibit in the Stairwell Gallery.

Here are some photos from the reception. If you didn't have a chance to attend the Saturday, remember the exhibition continues through March 16, 2013 and can be seen during regular library hours.

Please contact us with any questions you may have about our work or availability.

Rosalind Spann (left) explaining her work to Carolyn Hartman. 

View of the Stairwell Gallery looking down from above. Our work seems to fit so nicely here. 

Visitors viewing our work. 

Left to right: Mary, Carol V., Diane E., Rosalind, Carol E.

Exhibition: Thread, Fabrics & Dyes as Art

Connecticut Landscapes: December Exhibit

On December 1st the members had fun hanging

the Connecticut Landscapes exhibit

 at the Prospect Library!

Diane Cadrain, Mary Lachman, Rosalind Spann, Carol Vinic
 Carol Eaton and Antonia Torres

Missing from photo Karen Loprete

There promises to be an eclectic array of individual interpretations of a Connecticut landscape. We hope you can stop by to view the art work during the libraries regular business hours.

 

Below is a sneak peek of what you will see...

 please visit the exhibit to view the rest of the unique artwork!

 

Reflections
Rosalind Spann

Autumn Birch
Antonia Torres

Deconstruction
Diane Cadrain

Autumn Grace 
Mary Lachman

Farmington Valley, Fall
Diane Cadrain

Facescapes: Connecticut's People
Carol Eaton



Jellyfish in July at the Connecticut Shore
Carol Vinick