Spring has finally sprung which means time to hit the road! Destination? Touchstone Center for Crafts to drop off my quilt and lend a hand. Okay maybe it wasn’t so spring-like… actually it was more of a late-fall feel but it was my first visit to Touchstone, what a beautiful facility!
Our mission? Assist juror Jan Myers-Newbury (left) and exhibitions co-chair Staci Offutt with hanging Mystic Summit, the new FGP member show — and our first ever at Touchstone. Not to mention another exciting first: Carolyn’s Carson’s solo exhibition, Into the Mystique. That’s Carolyn (below right) proving she’s just as handy with a hammer.
I’ll admit I’ve been in a bit of a fiber funk myself. The long and dreary winter took its toll, but after spending the afternoon handling such great work with these fabulous ladies and my husband Randy, major FGP supporter, I came home inspired.
I am always amazed at how a show takes shape. It begins with digital images, then somehow the juror is able to choose each piece on its own merit with the guiding instinct that together they will form a cohesive whole. The work is delivered to the gallery in boxes, tubes, and packages of all sizes and shapes. No wonder chaos ensues as each piece is unwrapped, inspected, placed, and replaced — often more than once. Finally the last piece goes up, and just like that last bit of sky that pulls the whole puzzle together, voila you have a show!
The vision required to make the journey from digital images to cohesive exhibition is an art form in itself. Jan rises to the occasion once again, but no surprise there as she’s an artist, teacher, and juror of international reputation who just happens to call FGP home base. Lucky us! Come see for yourself. Mystic Summit and Into the Mystique are both on exhibit in the Blaney Lodge May 1 – 25, 2015 Touchstone Center for Crafts. Gala reception Saturday, May 16, from 7:30-9:30 pm.
Thanks to Staci, Carolyn, Stephanie from Touchstone (left to right) and Randy, Jaron, Eloise and Little Penny. Extra special thanks to Jan for not just choosing a lovely show but hanging it as well. Kudos to all.
Now that spring is here be sure to schedule a road trip to this special area of Western Pennsylvania or better yet spend the week-end with fellow fiber enthusiasts May 15 – 17, 2015 for the Fiber Arts Week-end Symposium. And don’t forget the exhibition reception Saturday evening!