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ABOUT SAQA
April 17, 2006- Artist Nelda Warkentin has joined the board of the Studio Art Quilt Association, Inc. (SAQA). Before joining the board Warkentin served as the SAQA Alaska representative and was the invited speaker at the organization’s 2003 conference. Warkentin brings to the organization more than 35 years of experience in the community planning and development in addition to her artistic talents.
In 1995, while taking a design class at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Warkentin became connected to a group of fiber artists who inspired her to become an artist. While working full-time as a programs manager for the State of Alaska, she enrolled in art classes at the University of Alaska Anchorage and numerous workshops around the United States. “After experimenting with various paints and techniques, I chose ‘layered paintings’ as my medium,” says Warkentin. “In 2003, after working 31 years in the field of community planning and development, I started a second career in art.”
Warkentin’s work has been juried Quilt National and Quilt Visions. Two of her works received the Award of Distinction at Quilt Nihon in Japan. Numerous galleries, museums, and other venues, including the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, have displayed her work. The Alaska State Council on the Arts has awarded her several grants. Her work is also the cover art for the book, “Spirit Maps.”
Warkentin maintains a studio in Anchorage, Alaska. Construction of a second studio is underway in a 150 year old house near Phillips, Maine. She plans of dividing her time between the two places.
SAQA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development, and documentation. With an active membership approaching 1,600 established and emerging artists, the artwork created by SAQA members can be found in both national and international exhibitions, galleries, museums and private collections.
For information on SAQA, contact Martha Sielman at (860) 487-4199 or visit the website at www.saqa.com. Photos available upon request.
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