Fabrics of our Lives Opening Reception - A+ Art Series. Opening Reception Aug 12

[Teresa]

Fabrics of our Lives Opening Reception - A+ Art Series


Friday, August 12 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

South Walton Campus, Northwest FL State College
Greenway Trail and Highway 331 South Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459


Upcoming Fiber Arts Show: Traditional and Innovative

Fiber artists straddle the worlds of art and craft. They face the dilemma all artists face: determining "what is art?" For most, the elements of both craftsmanship and design have to be present.

Beginning August 12th, local art lovers will have the opportunity to view some of the best fiber artworks the area has to offer: geometric woven rugs from traditional materials, quilted wall hangings, quirky 2-dimensional framed pieces, and fabric dolls for the “child in all of us.” This innovative exhibit is part of A+Art’s ongoing program with the Cultural Arts Alliance and Northwest Florida State College, South Walton campus.

“Fiber artworks communicate some sort of message, emotion or meaning,” says Susan Lucas, A+Art Chair. For mixed media fiber artist Ann Morrell, this is especially true. “I consider myself an emotional artist, as my art is directly related to what is going on in my life. My pieces all have personal stories.”

Morrell’s “Bobby Pin Queen” piece is a good example. About it, Morrell writes, “This piece was made in honor of my mother, Elizabeth. She used to roll her hair up with bobby pins early in the morning. Then she would place her ‘Peter Rabbit’ turban on to cover the pins. She smoked, drank coffee, loved diamonds, hot peppers and us. I miss her every day.”

Designer and weaver of heirloom quality wool rugs, Emilie Pritchard draws on ancient and tribal sources, but executes with a contemporary feel. “I am inspired by the many traditions of weaving, but always with a view to producing something fresh and original,” she says. Pritchard has studied with some of the country's finest rug weavers and exhibited and won awards in shows and competitions all around the country.

Typical of fiber artists, Becky Brodersen loves playing with fabric – dying or painting it prior to piecing together the elements of a new design. “Sometimes there is a plan,“ Brodersen says, “but most of my hangings evolve by intuitively putting colors and shapes together.” Her vivid wall hanging “K-OZ” illustrates both her artistic and craftsmanship skills.

Artist Ann Welch is a true scavenger in the best sense of the word. “I enjoy creating unique forms, epecially from repurposed scavenged castoffs, clay, driftwood, beach glass, bones, wire and other ephemera as well as fiber,” Welch says. Recently, Welch’s doll creations have gotten a great deal of attention. People love them, and Welch understands why. “I want my dolls to bring joy and inspiration to others, to help us remember the child in all of us.” Her creation entitled “Cher” certainly does that.

The exhibit is appropriately titled “The Fabrics of our Lives” and opens on August 12th with a public reception from 5-7:00 p.m. at the South Walton Campus of Northwest Florida State College.

For more information, contact Chair Susan Lucas at 850-267-3083 or suziartz@me.com or info@culturalartsalliance.com.