The Virtual Gallery Committee created this exhibit to demonstrate the wide range of works that can be featured in SAQA’s new online exhibition program, which has none of the physical limitations inherent in a traditional gallery setting. For more information, see the jurors’ statement below.
Welcome to SAQA’s Virtual Gallery! For our debut, we created No Limits to showcase the unbounded possibilities of the on-line format, while presenting the best in art quilts.
In addition to several excellent wall pieces in a flat rectangular format, we included work that is harder to handle in a brick-and-mortar venue. Work that is very large, very small, three-dimensional, fragile, or complicated to install meets that criteria, as does work created far from SAQA’s central shipping center.
We had lively discussions about the pieces we chose: some decisions were obvious to all of us at first glance, but others were intensely debated and challenged. Ultimately, we reached a consensus on a group of works that we hope will illustrate the new online exhibits and inspire our members to participate in future virtual gallery exhibits.
One of the realities of virtual exhibitions is that the images entered by artists are all that viewers will see, so professional image quality is essential. It broke our hearts to omit some powerful work based on the quality of the images.
The 24 pieces selected make a strong, diverse collection. What our members create is amazing, and the parameters are wide open: an art quilt is “a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched structure.” Within that framework, we looked for artistic intent, successful realization of that intent, and skillful handling of the medium. Above all, we favored pieces that engaged us and lingered in our minds long after we looked at them. We hope you feel the same way.
Virtual Gallery Committee’s “No Limits” Team:
Susan Else, Sarah Entsminger, Sarah Ann Smith, Gul Laporte, Cynthia Levis, Elena Stokes
Iina Alho - Lyset du treng finst / The light you need exists
Linda Fjeldsted Blust - Lulu, an African Grey Crowned Crane
Annette Boncek - To frack or not to frack
Maryte Collard - Leaves
Shannon Conley - Kirigami #1
Kacey Cowdery - Path of Life
Donna Deaver - Lay Me to Rest on the Hill by the Sea
Tamar Drucker - Is it Digital?
Andrea S. Finch - Magnolia Grandiflora III
Judith Quinn Garnett - Amalgam
Jayne Bentley Gaskins - The Lowly Fire Hydrant
Julia Graber - The Ole Pete
Paula Gron - Humboltia
Wendy Hill - Configurations
Vera Holmgren - No title
Suzanne E. Munroe - Connected
Claire Passmore - Storm
The Pixeladies - Cyber InSecurity
Amanda Snavely - Just Add Color
Jean Sredl - All Things Precious
Andra Stanton - Fairy Rings
Marijke van Welzen - Serpent
Deborah Weir - Alcatraz 5
Joan Lee Wolfer - The Last Stitch
