Susan Feller

Tag: Fiber artists

  • Appalachians exhibit near and far

    Posting early this month to include several exhibits I recommend seeing in person. First is ‘Black History Month’ at Concord University’s Arthur Butcher Art Gallery, Athens up through September 15. The full catalog is available on RobbyMooreArt.com . I visited and went through the exhibit with Robby. We discussed how having time to explore materials and ideas has lead to expanding the variety of work. Expect to see this theme travel to other venues as he continues to develop powerful stories.

    Black History Month

    Brian M Reed opened ‘Between Portals & Plains’ at Helwaser Gallery on Madison Avenue, NYC. There is an opening reception September 14 evening. Exhibit includes work created during extended study in Bali last year. On textiles, paper and with ink, he combines symbols real and imagined. The show is up through December 28. Brian is from West Virginia, his professional network has lead to this connection and others worldwide.

    Eastern West Virginia Technical and Community College in Moorefield, WV held an exhibition with awards juried by master artist Robert Singleton. Miss Mountaintop Removal received honorable mention. Congratulations to the awardees, thanks to Mr. Singleton for his critiques and much appreciation to Trent Montgomery and the college for this inaugural programming.

    On September 23 the workshop Basic Rug Hooking – Making Do will be taught at Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg, VA. Register through this link The project includes learning how to pull a few loops and add this skill to applique’ and embroidery to make a small mat or even cover a set of cans like the thrift of past generations.

    Stories are Made Loop by Loop continues through October 7 in the Harrisongburg venue. The digital catalog is available through this link.

    Nevada Tribble is a mixed media artist from Elkins, WV. She has hung a solo show at the Grasshopper Gallery in Lost River Trading Post at Wardensville, WV. Her connection with the environmental elements around the region become the basis for the paper surface she makes. With a bicycle she retrofitted to operate a sewing machine messages are written on the paper, shapes are molded around rocks from the paper and we experience the rippling of creeks in lines and words. This show is up through October, open every day a visit is encouraged to see the details along the Trails + Tributaries

    Robert Villamagna, is known on social media as WV_Tinman. He uses nostalgic objects of tin, photos, mementoes from yesterday collaged and in assemblages to make snide comments on life. A solo show in Gallery 2265 a new space on Wheeling’s Market Street is open through November 9. Meet the artist on September 23 noon to 3.

    Opening at the Dairy Barn Art Center, Athens, OH on October 6 is Voices from West Virginia. Five artists with visually diverse styles interpret personal beliefs and daily life in Appalachia. Ginger Danz, Susan Feller, Suzan Morgan, Leslie Norris and Nicole Westfall use paint, textiles and screen printing to express fresh ideas brewing throughout the arts community in West Virginia and beyond. Suzan Morgan has curated the exhibit open October 6 through November 9.

  • Walk through exhibit with me at Virginia Quilt Museum

    Walk through exhibit with me at Virginia Quilt Museum

    Stories are Made Loop by Loop features seven artists using hand hooking. The Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, VA is the first stop for this traveling exhibit. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays 10-4 the show is up through October 7, 2023. Here is a video as I walk you through the exhibit.

    For those of you who can not visit at this venue, the next site is the Juliet Art Museum at Clay Center for Arts and Sciences, Charleston, WV opening in Spring of 2024 – mid June. The show travels to The Dairy Barn Art Center in Athens, OH July 5 – Sept 1 and finishes at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center, Pennsburg, PA Sept – December.

    Here is the digital catalog for the exhibit at Virginia Quilt Museum.

    On September 23 I am conducting a workshop 10:30-1:30 titled Beginner Rug Hooking – a make-do workshop . We will pull some loops creating a mat with applique’ and embroidery. Learn about the make-do textile craft of the McDonald sisters from Gilmer County WV in the 1960’s. Registration details in this link.

    Hooked, Applique’ project

    I am traveling to Athens, West Virginia later this month to see the solo exhibit Black History Month of Robby Moore’s mixed media work. Following his social media posts as the work was in progress and now reading the artist statement I felt drawn to see the work in person. Robby has offered to meet me at Concord University gallery for a conversation. Follow this creative advocate @RobbyMooreArt Look forward to reviewing the show and seeing where it travels next.

    The September post will begin introducing the artists in Stories are Made Loop by Loop with personal interviews.

  • Stories are Made Loop by Loop Installed

    Stories are Made Loop by Loop Installed

    The rugs, display items, books, and frame with pattern were loaded into my car and driven to Harrisonburg, VA on July 11. I turned them all over to the curating team and learned some tips for installing exhibits. One, add screw eyes to the end of dowel rods so wires are secured when installing. Another, prepare a layout ahead and place painters tape where each item will be placed. Put the tape at top and cut wire(s) the length from moulding to display plus enough to wrap for hanging. Have all tools ready including multiple ladders and a full prep table.

    Screw eyes for wiring
    Mark wall and cut wire to hang
    work laid out on table

    Part of this exhibit includes an interactive area with hooking frame, a design saying WELCOME and fabric strips set up for the public to try their hand. Simple directions are on a poster right next to the frame. By the end of the exhibit the completed rug will become an item to benefit the museum. The curating team was the first to pick up the hook and pull some loops.

    Pattern for public

    For those of you who will not be able to visit the Virginia Quilt Museum during this exhibit here is the digital catalog. The full catalog includes the traveling schedule, more work and artists, the bios and artist statements, links and resources to learn more about contemporary rug hooking.

    QR for Catalog at VQM

    Several of the artists are also authors. Their books are available to peruse in the exhibit and many are for sale in the Museum Shop. You can also purchase a colorful pin.

    Books for sale
    Pins by Meryl Cook
    Pins by Susan Feller

    I can’t say it often enough seeing fiber art in person is such a learning experience. There are several other exhibits at the Virginia Quilt Museum featuring contemporary mixed media, art quilts, heirloom treasures which will open your creative tool box to many new ideas.

    The full traveling schedule and link to catalog can also be found at SusanFeller.com/calendar. We all look forward to comments and the networking opportunity this opens.

    Check out our social media profiles as the artists share stories and their ongoing creative journeys. Cheryl Bollenbach, Meryl Cook, Susan Feller, Elizabeth Miller, Karen D Miller, Domenica Zara Queen, Terri Todd, By Jane’s Daughter, UnitingUs. Exhibiting in the next show is Laura Salamy.

  • Themes explored with fiber in exhibit

    Themes explored with fiber in exhibit

    ‘In the Shadows’ one of 7 in exhibit Karen D. Miller

    In the lead-up to opening of ‘Stories are Made Loop by Loop’ at the Virginia Quilt Museum on July 12 this post highlights themes explored by the makers. The artists chose to spend hours alone with fiber, color, shapes and simple tools developing work that visualized a personal experience or important issue. They used the rhythmic slow process of pulling loops to meditate and heal, advocate, resolve personal problems.

    When you visit the exhibit or read the digital catalog, available in mid July, we invite the viewer to LOOK at the work before reading the stories. THINK how you react to the design. Is there a story in your life you are reminded of? Are you curious to know the maker’s story? Does a piece have you thinking about the topic differently?

    Motherhood and Identity are explored by Elizabeth Miller and Karen D. Miller. “I imagined the words on the staircase in Breaking the Cycle as representing aspects of motherhood while I stumbled upward accompanying my sons to their adulthood. “ Elizabeth Miller

    Karen D. Miller is a contemporary textile artist and writer using rug hooking to create conversation around the consequences of motherhood on women’s identity, perceptions, relationships and value. The series In the Shadows captures moments of life.

    Healing from a diagnosis of breast cancer has led to a career as an artist and writer, inspiring others to connect with their joy and sense of purpose.   The meditative rhythm of loop pulling and journaled words inspiring a design help along the creative journey.  Meryl Cook

    Doodles from a time of depression, years later during covid became larger – now statements that visually demand to be heard. Terri Todd

    Veterans’ Social Issues are visible and personal. “The work ‘Urban Icons’ depicts the result of society and legislative reactions to the mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions experienced by many veterans as they re-enter civilian life.” Cheryl Bollenbach

    As a female veteran, Mary Lopez de Morales (@byJanesDaughter) can use the symbolic language of her military experience to highlight inequities within the ranks and public. A thistle represents ‘Pain – Strength ‘ Survival’.

    Rug Hooking is an example of using waste materials to make a new object. Generations of frugal homemakers passed these skills on. Each person picked up the hook, gathered fabrics and recorded their life. See what these artists save from the land fills.

    “My goal is to continue the craft heritage of my family making objects this time with the 21st C heirloom material plastic. Domenica Zara Queen

    A background in environmental regulatory compliance predisposed Laura Salamy to experiment with all kind of fibers and textiles, specifically those that might otherwise end up in landfills.

    As curator, I look forward to reviews, comments and maybe a few new rug hooking enthusiasts after experiencing ‘Stories are Made Loop by Loop’ at the Virginia Quilt Museum July 12 – October 7 with reception September 23. Susan Feller

    The exhibit is scheduled to travel to Juliet Art Museum at Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences, Charleston, WV March – June 2024; then The Dairy Barn Art Center, Athens, OH July 5 – September 11 and ending at Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center, Pennsburg, PA September – December.

  • Learn by Questioning

    There are many opportunities to learn. Watching a how-to video helps, but when you are able to ask questions a relationship develops. The Tamarack Foundation for the Arts offers personal networking experiences through the Creative Network. Monthly Lunch and Learn programming lead by WVCN Liaison, Angelica Armstrong, introduces successful, emerging, retailers, writers, musicians, artists in all media to the registrants. After a conversation exploring the speaker’s journey, the audience raises questions and tags “golden nuggets” (wise tips) shared.

    Executive Director for Beckley Art Center, Robby Moore experiences as an artist, curator, theatre professional, community advocate provided steps how to prepare for and approach a gallery with your work.
    Tips from his Lunch and Learn talk: Create a professional packet with bio, CV, artist statement and current work; research the venue ahead of contact – what type of art is featured, is it an audience you are interested in, how do they review new artists; and visit ahead of time. Mr. Moore is an art consultant for both collectors and independent artists. Check out his web and follow on social media.

    Hannah Lenhart, Tamarack Foundation Emerging Artist Fellow, potter, soon to open a brick and mortar studio, classroom, event center in Fairmount, WV brought youthful energy to her presentation.
    Tips: an active social media includes videos of successes and failures making her colorful objects. This is one of many financial channels she is developing.
    Hannah describes her goal in making “My focus through my work is to help make life’s little rituals a little more special.” Her website includes online shop, links to social media, and great visuals.

    This month I shared my journey Evolving a Career in Art with a timeline of slides and conversation. Tips shared included: introduce yourself by name even if you might already know the person, be prepared to offer a business card for contact, find the new person in a group to sit with or listen to, encourage new techniques, connect people together with common skills or interests, evaluate your practice and evolve.
    As a former gallery owner we found our clients interested in new work, knowing the stories of makers, and seeing growth in skills or directions. One question was how do I decide what ideas to dedicate time to? Answer: I edit the visuals these days to focus on a body of work. I am learning to interview, video and document people experiencing the impact of humans on our environment and equality. Curating exhibits, advocating, mentoring and continuing to teach design will be the focus for next few years.

    Jamie Lester, sculptor, musician, community advocate from Fayetteville, WV will be the March Creative Network Lunch and Learn speaker.

    Tamarack Foundation for the Arts is adding salon events to the in-person opportunities. Artist Brian Reed leads the first at Echo-Lit, 427 Washington ST. W, Charleston, WV on Feb 22 from 4-7. Thanks to this coordination from Brian and Megan we will have a template to share with other venues throughout the state. Interested in a pop-up salon in your community reach out to TFA for details. (info@tamarackfoundation.org )

  • Textile Arts in Appalachia

    Textile Arts in Appalachia

    Choosing a word to describe the year ahead has become my routine. PROMOTE is 2023’s. Monthly, on the 20th, a blog post will be released introducing people, places and or events I have researched. Focusing on contemporary textile arts, today’s makers of Appalachian traditions or the stories behind objects, the posts will aim to promote culture in the 21st C.

    The Dairy Barn Art Center in Athens, OH offers exhibitions, events and educational programs providing access to fine arts and crafts from outside the region to community of all ages. In its 14th year Women of Appalachia fine art exhibit is featured in the main gallery January 13 – March 19, 2023.

    Jurors Alison Helm, Miyuki Akai Cook, and Margaret Curtis curated into the exhibit 96 works by 40 mixed media artists of diverse backgrounds, residing in or with a strong tie to Appalachia. There are 16 artists who include fiber techniques in their work, three that I recognize from West Virginia. Here are our stories.

    Denise Roberts writes of the many paths of her art career. She attributes driving the winding West Virginia roads as a major influence. Her most recent solo exhibition was at Huntington Art Museum, Huntington, WV. Titled Fiber Contours. It included the MITOTE series.

    Suzan Ann Morgan finds creating work helps to process her own evolving “truths”. On the Face of It suggests that “drag” is the modern version of blackface, except now women are the target. She felt the topic needed to be discussed during this current and rightful push for LGBT rights.

    Susan Feller uses traditional textile techniques to speak about social issues. Jane S. Choice is the fourth in ICONIC series addressing equal rights. The time alone creating is therapeutic, the artwork when exhibited invites conversation and action.

    Quilting, weaving, applique’, assemblage, needle felt, beading, clothing all are used creatively by the exhibitors. Each piece has a personal story briefly explained in a label. Hopefully you can visit and make note to follow the artists’ whose work speaks to you.

    Check out the Dairy Barn Art Center Youtube channel for a series of artist talks. This link goes to a conversation with Suzan Ann Morgan, myself and quilter Nancy Herschberger.