DEADLINES & DATES TO REMEMBER

March 1, 2008 – Deadline to receive images for Portfolio 15 from PAM’s
April 5-9, 2008 – Breaking New Ground conference in Wayne, PA
April 10-13, 2008 – IQF-Chicago—VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
April 14, 2008 – Deadline for Virginia & surrounding area for Amazing Art Quilts
May 1, 2008 – Deadline for images for Spiritual/Religious Art Gallery in the Fall Journal
May 24, 2008 - Deadline for Europe & Israel for Wide Horizons
June 13, 2008 – Deadline for Australia/New Zealand for SAQA: Oceania Art Textiles
June 30, 2008 – Deadline for A Sense of Time
July 24-27, 2008 – IQF-Long Beach
August 1, 2008 – Deadline for images for Political Statements Gallery in the Winter Journal
August 15, 2008 – Deadline for receipt of One-Foot Square artwork donations
October 29-November 2, 2008 – IQF-Houston



VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR IQF-CHICAGO
We need your help to make the SAQA booth a success! We need dedicated volunteers for the SAQA booth at IQF-Chicago, April 10-13, 2008. “Creative Force 07” and “A Sense of Place” will be featured exhibits. Peg Keeney will be doing a curator’s gallery walk on Friday, April 11th at 2:30, and there will be five SAQA Lectures:

Friday, April 11th:
11:00 - Stephanie Nordlin (Wearable Postcards)
1:30 – Cheryl Ferrin (Creating Portraits)
[2:30 – Peg Keeney (Curator’s Gallery Walk)]

Saturday, April 12th:
11:00 - Desiree Vaughn (Artful Fabric to Artful Quilts)
1:00 - Margaret Cusack (Realism in Appliqué)
4:00 - Cathy Jeffers (Moving On: Art Teacher to Quilt Artist)

Thanks to Wm. Wright Company and Empty Spools Seminars for sponsoring these lectures!

If you’re going to IQF-Chicago, please volunteer two hours of your time to rest your feet and help SAQA recruit new members. When you volunteer, please let me know which days/times will work best for you (msielman@sbcglobal.net).


NEW REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Joshua Durst in the new regional representative for Kentucky and Tennessee.

We just need a few more members to reach 2,000 - recruit an art quilter today!

DONATIONS
SAQA has already received $13,730 in individual donations towards our 2008 goal of $18,000 – please consider making a contribution to help us meet our goal. We cannot put on exhibits, print catalogs or do outreach without this support.  Membership fees cover only 60% of the operating costs, and this additional support is critical in allowing SAQA to fund our exhibitions, publications and programs.
Donor form: https://www.saqa.com/donations.aspx
List of donors: https://www.saqa.com/aboutus/sponsorships.aspx


SAQA AUCTION 2008
We’re going to do it again – bigger and better! It will go live next November 2008, just in time for holiday gift-giving. Please support SAQA by making a One-Foot Square for SAQA Auction 2008. The deadline is August 15, 2008 (that way there will be plenty of time to get publicity out). Please create a label with your name and the title, include your web site so that we can link to it, and send the finished pieces to: SAQA, P.O. Box 572, Storrs, CT 06268.


SAQA UNIVERSITY
NEW!!! SAQA-U is preparing to launch March 15th – expect an email soon with instructions on how to access this fantastic resource created by members for members.  The regional reps are being trained so that they can help their members learn how to use this incredible new service.  The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

We’re still looking for SAQA Journal issue 13 (Fall of 1994). If you have a copy, please let me know.

Mark your calendars for the Mentorship Series Conference Calls:
8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

March 19th - Jane Pollack http://www.janepollack.com on "Things I wish I knew before I started my own business". Jane Pollack has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and business audiences who share these common goals: a balanced life and business success. Jane offers a unique vision on how to find your passion and turn it into a thriving enterprise while maintaining sanity and soul. Her work has been featured on NBC's Today Show and in the New York Times. In 2001, Jane's bestselling book, Soul Proprietor: 101 Lessons from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur was published by Crossing Press.

April 23rd - Lisa Chipetine: "The Brand - why getting a "B" is so important" - How to create and develop a brand of your own.

May (PENDING) - Caryl Bryer Fallert. Caryl has asked Lisa Chipetine to poll the membership on what topics they would like to hear her speak on. Please email Lisa at lisa@threadplay.com with responses.

Conference Call Dial in information:
1-605-990-0150
You will be prompted for a code: 986204#
*Please note: all calls are recorded for SAQA University.

Mentoring conference call audio recordings are posted on the web site (http://www.saqa.com/members/Mentoring.aspx):
Margaret Cusack “Tips for Self Promotion”
Greg Katz “Getting Yourself Noticed”
Melanie Testa “Creativity Crisis; Breaking Barriers”
Judith Content “Effectively Dealing with Galleries and Museums”
Gloria Hansen "Overview of General Website Development and Concepts"
V Kingsley "So You Wanna Be in Pictures: Using Video for Documentation" Jacque Davis “Tips for Commissions”


SAQA EXHIBIT NEWS:
**NOTE: SAQA exhibits are open to ALL members, unless there is a geographical restriction.

SAQA: A SENSE OF TIME
Premiere location: International Quilt Festival and Market, Houston, TX
This exhibit will be displayed in a hard-wall, gallery-type exhibit space. SAQA will travel A Sense of Time, after its premiere, to International Quilt Festivals in both Chicago and Long Beach.
Juror: Namita Gupta Wiggers, Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland, Oregon
Curator: Arlene Blackburn – contact Arlene with any questions (arleneblackburn@comcast.net)
May 30, 2008: Deadline for entries to ARRIVE


MASTERS: ART QUILTS – the exhibition
Invitational exhibition of one work by each of the 40 artists featured in the Masters: Art Quilts book, which is being published by Lark Books (see description under SAQA Store below). All artists are SAQA members. This exhibit will be displayed at the three International Quilt Festivals with “SAQA: A Sense of Time”, premiering at IQF-Houston this fall. The presentation of both exhibits is possible thanks to generous sponsorship from eQuilter.com, JT Trading (505 Basting Sprays) and the American Quilter’s Society.  "Masters: Art Quilts" will also travel to the Museum of the American Quilter's Society in Paducah, KY for a several month run which will coincide with the AQS Festival in late April.

Artists include: B. J. Adams, Pamela Allen, Eszter Bornemisza, Elizabeth Brimelow, Pauline Burbidge, Cher Cartwright, Hollis Chatelain, Kyoung Ae Cho, Jette Clover, Jane Burch Cochran, Linda Colsh, Judith Content, Michael A. Cummings, Chiaki Dosho, Noriko Endo, Nancy Erickson, Caryl Bryer Fallert, Jeanette Gilks, Jenny Hearn, Inge Mardal & Steen Hougs, Inge Hueber, Wendy Huhn, Michael James, M. Joan Lintault, John Lefelhocz, Terrie Hancock Mangat, Katie Pasquini Masopust, Therese May, Carolyn Mazloomi, Miriam Nathan-Roberts, Velda Newman, Clare Plug, Yvonne Porcella, Jane Sassaman, Deidre Scherer, Joan Schulze, Susan Shie, Ann Woringer, Charlotte Yde and Ita Ziv.

Travel Schedule:

1. IQF-Houston
Houston, TX
October 29 – November 2, 2008
www.quilts.com

2. IQF-Chicago
Chicago, IL
April 17-19, 2009
www.quilts.com

3. Museum of the American Quilter’s Society
Paducah, KY
April 23-July 3, 2009
www.quiltmuseum.org

4. IQF-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
July 24-26, 2009
www.quilts.com

CONVERGENCE 2008
“I-4 Corridor Exhibition” will be exhibited in Florida during June in conjunction with the HGA’s Convergence 2008 in Tampa Bay. Announcement of selected artists expected next week. Please contact Mary E. McBride at 386-423-1753 or mmcbride@atlanticcenterforthearts.org with any questions.


“Up in Stitches” opens this month at the Yeiser Art Center (March 8 – May 3, 2008) Questions: contact the Yeiser (info@theyeiser.org)


“Creative Force 2007” and “A Sense of Place: artists working in series” will next be seen at IQF-Chicago April 10-13, 2008. The double catalog, designed by Deidre Adams and sponsored by Janome, is available in the SAQA Store.

Travel Venues:

2. International Quilt Festival
Chicago, IL
April 10-13, 2008
http://www.quilts.com

3. International Quilt Festival
Long Beach, CA
July 25-27, 2008
http://www.quilts.com

4. CKMedia Gallery – Quilters Newsletter (Creative Force only)
Golden, CO
August – November 2008
http://qnm.com/pgallery/

“Transformations ’07: Reverberations” finishes this month at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey, MI. It will then go to Visions Art Quilt Gallery in San Diego. The catalog, designed by Deidre Adams is available through the SAQA Store ($15) https://www.saqa.com/aboutus/SAQA_StoreThumbnails.aspx

Travel venues:

3. Crooked Tree Arts Center
Petoskey, Michigan
January 12 – March 8, 2008
www.crookedtree.org

4. Visions Art Quilt Gallery
San Diego, CA
April 4-May 25, 2008
http://www.quiltvisions.org/events.asp

“Transformations 08: Icons & Imagery”
Juror Rudolf Smend of Galerie Smend in Germany has chosen the artists for Transformations 08. It will premiere August 14, 2008 at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England.

Travel venues:

1. Festival of Quilts
Birmingham, England
August 14-17, 2008
www.twistedthread.com

2. South African National Quilt Festival
Gauteng, South Africa (just outside of Johannesburg)
September 14-16, 2008
http://www.quiltsouthafrica.co.za/festival.asp

3. Coos Art Museum
Coos Bay, OR
Dates TBD
www.coosart.org

“SAQA: Twelve Voices” - was chosen by Penny McMorris from portfolio submissions. The twelve selected artists will each display 4-6 pieces of their art, premiering at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, Michigan in September.


REGIONAL EXHIBITS
Australia and New Zealand:
"SAQA: Oceania Art Textiles" will be exhibited October 22-28, 2008 at the Queensland Quilt Show during the Quilt & Craft Fair in the Brisbane Convention Centre (Queensland Quilters Inc GPO Box 2841 Brisbane 4001 QLD). Deadline is June 13, 2008. Please contact Sue Dennis (bsdennis@bigpond.com) for more information.


Canada:
“SAQA at CreativFestival” will again be at the Metro Toronto Convention Center (South Building) in Toronto, Ontario from October 17-19, 2008. Prospectus will be sent out soon. The curator is Karen Goetzinger (quiltopia@sympatico.ca).


Europe and Israel:
"Wide Horizons" is open to members in Europe and Israel. It will be exhibited at Carrefour Européen du Patchwork, Ste-Marie-aux-Mines, France September 18-21, 2008. Elisabeth Nacenta de la Croix (ecn@bluewin.ch) is the organizer for this exhibit. Call for entries form were emailed and placed on the web site. Deadlines: postmark by May 24, 2008; received by May 31, 2008. Jury will meet in mid-June.


Virginia and surrounding regions:
'Amazing Art Quilts', a juried exhibit for SAQA members from three regions around Virginia (VA/NC/SC & TN/KY & MD/PA/DC/WV), will be hosted by The Staunton Augusta Art Center in Staunton, Virginia. The juror will be from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The submission deadline is April 14, 2008, and the exhibit runs Aug.29 - Oct.5, 2008. A prospectus and more detailed information can be found on the Members Home page of the SAQA website.

Amazing Art Quilts will be held in conjunction with a quilt celebration, Quilts: Past, Present & Future. The celebration explores the connection between historical, traditional and contemporary quilting, to be held in the Staunton, Waynesboro and Harrisonburg, VA area throughout the month of September 2008. Over 20 events and exhibits will bring local and long distance visitors to the Shenandoah Valley in fall 2008. We have support from the city tourism departments, providing great exposure for your art. Learn more about QPPF at www.staunton.va.us/visitor.

QPPF The Conference is the third opportunity for SAQA members. A three-day conference, Sept. 4 -7, 2008, that includes hands-on workshops, lectures and exhibit openings will be held in conjunction with the Quilts: Past, Present & Future. The opening reception for Amazing Art Quilts will be held that weekend along with a gallery walk. We will have a SAQA regional meeting that weekend too. Registration for the conference begins September 2007. Watch the SAQA website and QPPF webpage at www.statunton.va.us for details about the conference. Please contact Martha Bruin Degen (mdegen04@ntelos.net) or Jill Jensen (jilljensen_artist@hotmail.com) with questions.


Regional Exhibits Mentor
Arlene Blackburn is the Regional Exhibits Mentor. Arlene has volunteered to be a mentor to any member who is working on producing a SAQA regional exhibit. Arlene can help you with planning, insurance questions, forms and put you in contact with other advisors if needed. Contact Arlene at arleneblackburn@comcast.net.


NEW VIRTUAL EXHIBIT ON SAQA WEB SITE
This month’s guest curator is Carol Larson. Her exhibit is “Of Human Interest”: http://www.saqa.com/galleries/mini_gallery.aspx?galid=33 Carol says, “Beyond my undying passion for color, I am captivated by work that resonates with the human experience. The common ingredient in these pieces is the clear message. And equally fascinating are the infinite methods, in this medium, to communicate the human experience.”

Selected Artists:

Lenni Abel
(We are deeply saddened to report that Lenni died in February. See item in Other News.)
Linda Colsh
Michele David
Norma DeHarven
Susan Else
Cheryl Dineen Ferrin
Sandra Hoefner
Judith Jordan
M. A. Klein
Ellie Kreneck
Pat Kumicich
Ellen Lindner
Susan Leslie Lumsden
Kevan Lunney
Mary McBride
Elizabeth Poole
Pam RuBert
Patti Shaw
Susie Swan
Leni Levenson Wiener

We’re looking for new guest curators. If you would like to be a guest curator in a future month, let me know (msielman@sbcglobal.net).


OTHER WEB SITE NEWS – SAQA Store
Bestsellers List:
“Picture Your World in Appliqué” by Margaret Cusack (57 copies)
“The Potter and the Muse” by Lotte Streisinger (22 copies)
”Quilting Transformed” by Jacqueline Atkins (15 copies)
“Leslie Gabriëlse: a Portrait” by Peter Bulthuis and Leslie Gabriëlse (15 copies)
”Thread Painting” by Leni Levenson Wiener (11 copies)
“Katie Pasquini Masopust Teaches You Simple Steps to Dynamic Art Quilts” DVD (6 copies)
”Joan Lintault” by Joan Lintault (5 copies)
“Fabric Art Workshop” by Susan Stein (5 copies)


SAQA PUBLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE in the SAQA Store
https://www.saqa.com/aboutus/SAQA_StoreThumbnails.aspx:

--Portfolio 14 - $29.95 – SOLD OUT
--“Creative Force 07”/”A Sense of Place” double catalog - $20 (This catalog shows both exhibits, with each one opening from the opposite cover – it’s gorgeous!)
--“Transformations 07: Reverberations” catalog is available for $15.
--CD catalog for “Balancing Act” - $8


NEW BOOKS by Members FOR SALE:
https://www.saqa.com/aboutus/SAQA_StoreThumbnails.aspx:

Masters: Art Quilts curated by Martha Sielman, Lark Books, 2008, ISBN 978-1-60059-107-5, $24.95, 414 pages, index (Pre-Orders ONLY; Expected to arrive in early May)



The advance copy came by air mail on Monday, and the book is gorgeous. It’s 414 pages, so each of the forty artists from around the world has a 10-page spread which showcases up to a dozen pieces of their work, along with several detail shots. I wrote a short introduction for each one and there are several “pull-quotes” from each artist talking about their work and their inspiration.

Here are the three reasons why you should order a copy for yourself and one for a friend:

1. We need to prove to the publishing industry that there’s a market for books that celebrate the art that we’re making and not just for books that explain how-to. They don’t publish books on Picasso that also teach you how to paint like Picasso, but the publishing industry is convinced that a book with art quilts won’t sell unless it also teaches techniques. Lark took a chance on this, and we need to prove that they were right so that more publishers will take our art seriously.

2. One of the chief editors for the book said that it is the most beautiful book that he’s ever worked on. Lark’s art department did an incredible job in the layout and quality of the images. Each page is filled with fantastic art. The format of this book allows you to view in depth and learn about the work of 40 incredible artists, because it presents up to a dozen pieces by each artist instead of the typical survey presentation which presents only one or two images. The master artists included are: B. J. Adams, Pamela Allen, Eszter Bornemisza, Elizabeth Brimelow, Pauline Burbidge, Cher Cartwright, Hollis Chatelain, Kyoung Ae Cho, Jette Clover, Jane Burch Cochran, Linda Colsh, Judith Content, Michael A. Cummings, Chiaki Dosho, Noriko Endo, Nancy Erickson, Caryl Bryer Fallert, Jeanette Gilks, Jenny Hearn, Inge Mardal & Steen Hougs, Inge Hueber, Wendy Huhn, Michael James, M. Joan Lintault, John Lefelhocz, Terrie Hancock Mangat, Katie Pasquini Masopust, Therese May, Carolyn Mazloomi, Miriam Nathan-Roberts, Velda Newman, Clare Plug, Yvonne Porcella, Jane Sassaman, Deidre Scherer, Joan Schulze, Susan Shie, Ann Woringer, Charlotte Yde and Ita Ziv.

3. It will support SAQA. I wrote the book to help forward SAQA’s mission of promoting the art quilt as art, and I’ve been able to arrange that if you buy it through the SAQA web site or at a SAQA booth, 55% of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to support SAQA.

I can’t wait to see the companion exhibition that SAQA is sponsoring when it premieres in Houston and to be able to view some of these incredible works in person. Each of the artists is sending one work, and “Masters: Art Quilts – the exhibition” will travel to all three International Quilt Festivals (Houston, Chicago and Long Beach), as well as to the Museum of the American Quilter’s Society for a three-month run that will coincide with the AQS show in Paducah. Major thanks are due to the sponsors for this exhibition: eQuilter.com, JT Trading (505 Basting Sprays) and the American Quilter’s Society.



MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
We have moved the Membership Directory online to the Members Home page: http://www.saqa.com/members/member_list.aspx. The Directory is searchable by first name, last name, email address and region. If you would prefer to receive a print version, please let me know (msielman@sbcglobal.net).

Eileen Doughty is the web site coordinator for our web site. Please contact her at artist@doughtydesigns.com if you have any questions or suggestions about using the site.


2008 CONFERENCE
Registrations are now full. If you are interested in attending, we are taking names for a waiting list.


JOURNALS
The Winter Journal is on the web site: http://www.saqa.com/members/Winter2008.aspx The Spring Journal will be up shortly and has started arriving in our international members’ mailboxes. Please be patient – the mail service for nonprofit bulk mailings is extremely erratic but they usually arrive eventually!

If you have not yet received your Winter issue, let me know and I’ll send out another copy.

Journal Gallery Page Themes and Deadlines:

Spiritual/religious art -- 05/01/08
Political statements -- 08/01/08
3-D Design – 10/01/08
Surface Design – 02/01/09
Appliqué – 05/01/09
Thread Painting – 08/01/09
Pieced Work – 10/01/09
Photo Imagery – 02/01/10

We can accept digital photos only. Images will be chosen on the basis of artistic merit as well as photo quality. To improve your chances of being selected, send only your best photos and use the same considerations you would for entering a juried show, which means sharp focus, even lighting, no extraneous hands or feet or garage doors showing in the photo, etc.

Send a digital image with a resolution of no less than 1800 pixels on the longest side, in jpeg format. Label the file with your last name followed by partial title (example: smith_dreamingtrees.jpg). In the body of the e-mail, Include caption information consisting of your name, size in inches, year created, your web site URL (if applicable), and a very brief statement describing something interesting about the work, perhaps your inspiration or your process. Send your images to saqa@deidreadams.com. (Note: This address will be used ONLY for the image gallery.)


PORTFOLIO 13 POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
If you would like to show the slide show presentation or SAQA Portfolio 13 PowerPoint to a group of friends, a quilting guild, a class you’re teaching, a civic group, or anyone else who might be interested, contact Clairan Ferrono (fabric8tions@hotmail.com).


BROCHURES/JOURNALS AVAILABLE FOR TEACHERS:
If you’re teaching, please let me know and I’d be happy to send you brochures to hand out to your students. I can also send back issues of the Journal, catalogs, etc. Just send an email with what you need and include your mailing address (msielman@sbcglobal.net).


OTHER INFORMATION:
LENNI ABEL died this month:
Lenni was an artist and educator to the core of her being. Her teaching career spanned 32 years, and was a recipient of Disney’s American Teacher Award, which she considered the crowning recognition of her career. She was always positive, sporting a bright smile and a positive attitude. She had an innate ability to engage people in a manner that allowed immediate friendships to develop. Although she studied many art techniques, her life long interest was in quilting. Her quilts are full of bright colors and strong patterns. She never “fabricated” a design, but allowed the design process to evolve as the fabric “spoke” to her. She belonged to multiple quilt groups, and was co-president of the Quilter’s Guild of Brooklyn at the time of her death.

The Quilter’s Guild is currently establishing a fund in her name. Its primary purpose will be to support educational quilt programs, and provide a stipend to emerging quilters and members with fixed incomes to enable them to pursue their craft. The project is currently in the contact gathering stage with the other co-president Madi Appell coordinating the development of that database. For more information please contact her at: NYCFASH@aol.com.


Artist Deduction Bill (S.548) and Arts Advocacy Days
This bill would give artists who make a donation to nonprofit institutions, such as museums and libraries, the right to deduct the fair market value of their piece instead of only the cost of supplies & materials (not labor). The website below provides a brief form with your contact information that automatically emails a letter to your representatives in Congress, or you can print it out and mail it.
http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=9521951&type=CO

Arts Advocacy Days are March 31-April 1 – Contact your government representatives and urge them to make supporting the arts a priority.


From Martha Sielman: Review Copies of “Masters: Art Quilts” available for bloggers
If you would like to receive a review copy of “Masters: Art Quilts,” let me know (msielman@sbcglobal.net), and I’ll forward your request to Sterling Publishing (parent company for Lark Books). Please send your name, your mailing address and the URL of your blog. Review copies are scheduled to be mailed out in late March.


From Sandra Sider: Looking for information for book
I am in the final stages of writing a book titled CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN QUILT ART: SOURCES AND SYNERGY that will be submitted to the University of Nebraska Press. My study focuses on the 1960s and 1970s. If I have not yet contacted you, and if you were influenced in any way during this time to begin working in the quilt medium, or to change what you were doing with quilts, please contact me before March. I would very much appreciate any anecdotes about politics, surface design processes, classes, workshops, travel, exhibitions, and publications between 1960 and 1980 that were influential on your quilt art (sandrasider@mac.com). Please be sure to include your full name, mailing address, and phone number in the email message, as well as the URL for your web site if you have one. Your subject heading for the email should be CAQA BOOK. Please note that "American" in the title is defined as quilts being created in the United States, regardless of whether the artist is a citizen of the U.S. (Do not send any images at this time.)


From Patricia Bolton:
“Quilting Arts TV” has premiered in some areas on PBS - check for local times. Patricia is the host of this new program. First season guests include: Laura Cater-Woods, Jane Dunnewold, Robbi Joy Eklow, Lesley Riley, Pam RuBert, Susan (Lucky) Shie, Shelley Stokes, Mary Ann Tipple, and more. http://www.quiltingartsblog.com/


From Pauline Verbeeck:Fiber Special Appointment Faculty
KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE
Two full-time, one-year, replacement faculty positions. Start Aug. 15, 2008. MFA or equivalent experience required; college level teaching experience and/or evidence of professional achievement preferred. Will teach with two other full-time faculty working with approximately fifty full-time majors. Must have a broad aesthetic approach to the field with comprehensive knowledge of historical and contemporary developments in the field.

The positions are: (1) sabbatical replacement - surface design and computer aided design. (2) one-year appointment - sculptural fiber processes including clothing construction. Open until filled; applications received by April 1 are assured of full consideration. However, applications received by KCAI by Feb. 15, will be considered for meeting with KCAI representatives at CAA while in Dallas. To apply send: letter of application, teaching philosophy, curriculum vitae and list of 3 references we may contact. Also include electronic media of current work and SASE. Finalists will be asked to submit electronic media of student work to complete application. If attending CAA, also clearly include your specific telephone contact number while in Dallas should we wish to meet with you. Send application to:

Kansas City Art Institute
Fiber Search
c/o Human Resources
4415 Warwick Blvd.
KCMO 64111-1874
Kansas City Art Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer


From Ami Simms:
The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) has become a Michigan nonprofit corporation with its own board of directors and website (www.alzquilts.org). On January 17, 2008, they applied to the IRS to become tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) is a national, Internet-driven, grassroots, volunteer effort to raise awareness and fund research through art. The AAWI was founded in January 2006 by Ami Simms because her mother has Alzheimer's disease. All profit is donated to Alzheimer's research with more than $157,000 being raised to date.

Ami Simms, Executive Director, said of her board, “We will all learn do to the various jobs required to run a national charity, but I wanted people who would take on the challenge with passion. They're on the board because they have first hand knowledge about the devastation of Alzheimer's, they know about quilts and quilters, and these are some of the most intelligent and talented women I've ever met. Their focus is the big picture and that's important, but the AAQI is a national grassroots effort and we couldn't do it without the many talented volunteers who help with the day-to-day activities. These incredible volunteers register the quilts, help update the website, administer the $1,000 Promise, write press releases, purchase quilts, spread the word, and suggest great ideas.”

Ami Simms of Flint, Michigan is the Executive Director and Curator of the quilt exhibit "Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece," maintains the AAQI website, and photographs the quilts. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation. Susan Pain of Houston, Texas is the Secretary. Along with Kathy Kennedy-Dennis also of Houston, she is part of the Houston support team when the AAQI visits the International Quilt Festival. Debbie Chenail of Swartz Creek, Michigan is the Treasurer. She is also the shipping liaison with Mallery Press, Inc. who handles fulfillment for items ordered on this website. Niki Gottesman of Jupiter, Florida is the organization’s researcher. She also uploads quilt information and quilt photographs to the website. Nanette Zeller of Southern Pines, North Carolina is the technical advisor for the website and maintains the online store at Café Press (www.caftepress.com). Jennie Simms of Kalamazoo, Michigan is the scientific research "consultant."

For more information on the AAQI, contact Ami Simms at 810-637-5586 (9 a.m – 3 p.m. Eastern), ami@alzquilt.org or www.alzquilts.org.



From the Silk Painters International (SPIN): Festival in Santa Fe (8/3-10):
Judith Content is one of the featured speakers. Information about the Festival: http://www.silkinsantafe.com/ “Along with the chance to take workshops from incredible teachers, there will be opportunities to hear wonderful speakers on art, history of silk, fashion, silk and dye chemistry, framing, lighting, preserving, and selling fine silk art. We will have talks from gallery owners, from museum textile curators, from successful artists, from suppliers and from teachers of silk painting. In addition, there will be the Members’ Art Exhibit, the Members’ Fashion Show, and a banquet, all against a backdrop of the beautiful high altitude New Mexican desert. Thursday, August 7 though Sunday August 10 will be the Conference part of the Festival. Each day of the conference will have its own theme. Thursday’s theme will be “Silk Art”. Talks and panels will focus on what elevates silk painting to the level of fine art. The day concludes with a reception for the Members’ Art Exhibition. Friday’s (8-8-8) theme is “The Silk Medium”. This will address issues like lighting, framing, protecting, and selling silk art. Saturday’s theme will be “Silk in Motion”. This day will concentrate on silk textiles and silk fashion. The evening concludes with the Members’ Fashion Show, and the Festival Banquet. Some of our speakers will include Judith Content, Rosanna Czarnecki, Tim Harding, Mary Schoeser, Yoshiko Wada, Lenny Yorke, Caroline Young and Deborah Younglao.”


From Surface Design Association:
This year in August, SDA will host its first ever on-line auction! You'll have an opportunity to donate an item, bid on items, and help SDA all at the same time! We're still working out the particulars, so stay tuned for the how-tos. If you're just so excited, you want to donate something right away or volunteer to help, please contact Terri Lipman at telipman@yahoo.com


From Virginia Spiegel: Call For Artists
Collage Mania II - May 5, 2008
A Fiberart For A Cause fundraiser for the American Cancer Society Collage Mania II will be held on http://www.VirginiaSpiegel.com. Deadline for jpegs is April 1. All materials are acceptable, but collages should contain some fiber (paper, fabric, or other fibrous material). Collages may be any size, but they must be mounted on 8x10 Bristol or mat board. Size the collage itself to match your pricing scheme as all collages will be offered for a $40 donation to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause. Collages will be sent by each artist directly to their purchaser.

For details on important dates, jpeg requirements, etc.: http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/CollageManiaII.html
Questions? Please e-mail Virginia@VirginiaSpiegel.com


From Wendy Hamilton – Call for book contributions:
My name Wendy Hamilton. I am interested in compiling a book of testimonies on how crafts and friendships built around crafts have helped women through difficult times in their lives. If you have a story you would like to share please email me at hamilton.usa@gmail.com
I am a designer from New Zealand and am here in the U.S.A for three years. Prior to coming to America, I owned a shop for five years where I taught quilting and sold my own and other artists’ work. I also created “Mrs. Make-Do” patterns, easy-to-do patterns for the woman who would like to be creative but doesn't feel she is capable or has the time. I am currently specializing in designing redwork patterns, a simple form of embroidery popular in the Southern hemisphere. While working with women I have seen how depression and emotional problems are often overcome through working with their hands, which has led me to create this book proposal. If you have a story you would like to share, email me at hamilton.usa@gmail.com


TODAY, February 29th only – Selvedge Magazine is having a sale on subscription price and back issues – go to www.selvedge.org


SAQA DISCUSSION GROUP
As a member of Studio Art Quilt Association, you are also invited to join an email discussion group hosted on Yahoo.com. This group is only for SAQA members, and is private to the outside world. You can join by requesting membership at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAQA/join. Once your request is made, the moderators will approve you ASAP. [Please include your full name in your email request.]


MARKETING IDEAS FOR MARCH 2008 – try these and let me know what happens. I’d like to run more success stories. I’m looking for ideas from each of you about marketing approaches that have worked for you.

From Ellen Lindner: Carry a tiny portfolio
At the reception I'll be attending, I wanted a way to show attendees more of my work. It's not really feasible to carry around a portfolio, (plus it looks pretty doggone needy.) I wanted something tiny that I could put in my pocket. I thought about putting photos on my phone (which I should do anyway,) but was leery of handing my phone over to a stranger. So, I went to Jo-Ann's scrapbook department to see if they had some little scrapbook/album I could make over to my liking. There I found the perfect thing! It's very small, about 4" x 3 1/2", and it holds photos just slightly bigger than a credit card. The great thing is that it looks very professional. It's black "leather" with "brass" corners on the front, and the interior is all black. Inside are 12 sleeves, each with 2 photo pockets. So, I've loaded up the interior 11 double pages with an image on the right and a title on the left. The front pocket has a title page, and the back pocket holds a few business cards. It really looks quite professional! Even at this small size, the images are quite nice (and still as big as many online photos, plus at a better resolution.) After the reception, I'll carry this in my purse at all times. I have to say that the idea of having this in my pocket helps increase my confidence and sense of excitement about the coming event.

Follow-up: I'm just back from that event and it worked like a charm: small and unobtrusive in my pocket, handy and VISUAL when I needed it.


From Merle Serlin – Business Cards as a Mini Portfolio
Along the same theme, I use my business cards as a "mini portfolio". When I have note cards printed, I usually do sets of eight. It's not that big of an additional cost to have business cards made at the same time and gang-printed with the cards. So if I have eight different images on my note cards, I also get 8 different images on my business cards. When someone asks for a card I pull out my card carrier; they can't help but see there are different images. That makes them curious. Usually they want to see all of them and pick out the one they want to take. Sometimes they want a few different ones. I figure it's more PR for me, and I'm happy to pass them out generously.


From Arlene Blackburn: How to approach someone at an Opening of your work:
Stand near your artwork and introduce myself: "Good evening. I'm ______, one of the exhibiting artists here tonight." Most people will reply, "Oh, which artwork is yours?" As the conversation or level of interest progresses, maybe add "Would you like one of my postcards?"..."Keep it around because I do a great deal of commission work and my contact information is on there." It is always intimidating no matter how many times you find yourself in that situation. I think confidence comes from having that "approach plan" that just rolls off of your tongue. It opens up a dialogue without seeming too pushy. At events like this, people feel important and informed by associating through conversation with the artists. They will then turn around to someone else and comment on your artwork like they know what they are talking about - and usually comment on how approachable the artist was.




--Martha Sielman (msielman@sbcglobal.net)
Executive Director
Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc.