Craftform 2007 Reception and Show

(The catalog for this show is available on line!)

Steve and I were on the road before 6:00 AM last Friday morning...headed to the Wayne Art Center outside Philadelphia and that evening's opening reception of CRAFTFORM 2007. I was a bit nervous, more than a little excited, and used the time in the car for stitching. Once we arrived, I was surprised to see that photography was permitted...this evening only, I think. Thus, above is me beside The Collector, my accepted piece...unbelievably in the same room as Noel Palomo-Lovenski's Camouflaged Confessions! Like her bridal gown Bridezilla in the Fiberarts International juried show, this garment was silk printed with personal thoughts...like, "I once killed a lady and got away with it" and other "don't tell" sort of messages. I am truly honored to be among artist's like Diane Savona. Her piece, Burned Out, is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out her website!

I'm standing in front of Brenda Jones' Willa's Milky Way, an pinafore of maps and assorted papers stitched together by machine and hand.

Allyn Cantor's piece, Things Lost in Time, was intriguing...part stretched canvas, part fabric, part paint. The image is among her new works, click here. Katherine K. Allen's large deep blue silk with metallic gold screen printing ink also was perfectly wonderful...and big! An image of it is on page two of seven on her website. Bonnie Epstein came to the opening from Manhattan and seemed as awe-struck as me. Her No End in Sight was a powerful piece made from clipped death notices from the New York Times of war victims...she has a stack to add at home.

On the back wall one can see Eleanor McCain's award winning quilt. To see a better image, visit her website. The surface and design of this piece are so perfect that one almost forgets there are seams! Her ability to put fabric together is amazing.

On the left (below), near a recessed window hangs Susan Webb Lee's Log Cabin Remodeled. Although it isn't pictured on her website, there are several pieces that have the same feel, beautiful fabrics, and quality stitching. Also attending the opening was Ed Bing Lee whose Trophy I on Glass Plate totally baffled me...as do all the other pieces in this "delectable" series! These are KNOTS!

I could go on an on about the work in this show. Here, I've only mentioned most of the fiber pieces. The ceramics, furniture, jewelry, glass, wood, and other art were equally amazing. The reception itself was a divine evening that included champagne, excellent food, a silent auction, local artists, live music, and tango dancers!