Vancouver Island Surface Design Association's 'Current Threads 2016' exhibition at Tulista Gallery, Sidney

Laura Feeleus 'Heartfelt'

VISDA's annual exhibition is on at CACSP's Tulista Gallery in Sidney.

Works by Lori Mudrie, Terry Phillips, Donna-Fay Digance

The exhibition is on until Sunday 4:00 pm July 31st.

Works by Barb McCaffery, Margie Preninger

There will be an Artists' Reception on Saturday 2 to 4 pm July 23rd.

Works by Bryony Dunsmore, Sarah McLaren, Jo Ann Allen

Many of the artists will be in attendance. It will be a great opportunity to talk to them about their work. 

Works by Sarah Mclaren, Morag Orr-Stevens,

As this is an annual event for VISDA we are already working on our 2017 exhibition.

Jo Ann Allan 'Song of the Earth' 

Any work a member finishes between now and the date of the next exhibition is eligible to be shown.

We are working on several exciting ideas for next year's venue.

Gathering at the Edge Day 3 - Studio and Self Guided Tours

Gathering Day 3 - Sunday, April 3, 2016

After meeting over breakfast in the hotel Gatherers took in hand their specially marked-up maps and a sources list highlighting art, textile and fibre shops; gardens in full spring bloom; art galleries and nearby eating establishments and headed off on self-guided tours of the area.

Some had booked a tour of my garden and studio at 11:00 that morning.

I'm not sure what I am explaining here.

Inside the studio, I shared the concept plan for the Backyard Project.

Then I gave a quick tour around the studio.

The second group arrived at 12:00 noon for the next tour.

Here I am showing maps for the Sun/Shade analysis for the backyard area, an early stage in the planning process.

A couple of hours later I raced back to Coast Collective to meet up with Barbara McCaffrey and Judi MacLeod and her husband.

One last look around at the work.

Then it was time to take all the work down and pack it in 2 large shipping crates to be sent on to the Sunshine Coast for the next showing from July 9th to August 21.

And that was it - the Gathering at the Edge -3 days of wonderful networking, making new friends, renewing old; and together: experiencing, sharing and learning.

More Gatherers Stand 'At the Edge of the Forest'

Eleanor Hannan

website - eleanorhannan.com/

Jean Cockburn

Blog - whenyouloveblue.blogspot.com

Jennifer Love

email - jenniferannelove@hotmail.com

Judi McLeod

website - www.gobc.ca/victoria-travel/judi-macleod_1033

Judi was the official photographer of the Gathering. She did a fabulous job capturing the atmosphere and the action of every event. Thanks, Judi. 

Katie Stein Sather

Blog - quiltingmylife.blogspot.ca/

Lily Thorne

Patt Wilson

Bryony Dunsmore

Gloria S Daly

Website - studiogart.com/

Gloria was the recipient of the “Award of Excellence” in memory of Mary Frances Fox. Mary Frances Fox was an SDA Ontario Representative and textile artist who inspired the original concept for this exhibition.

There will be one last opportunity to see 'Edge of the Forest'

July 9 – August 21, 2016, Fibreworks Gallery, Sunshine Coast, BC

Gatherers Stand With Their 'Edge of the Forest' Works

Lesley Turner

website - lesleyturnerart.com

Shamina Senaratne

website - shamina.info/

Terry Phillips

website - terryphillipsartist.com/

Connie Chapman

website - constancechapman.weebly.com/

Deborah Dumka

website - deborahdumka.ca/

Donna-Fay Digance

website - donnafaydigance.com/

Judy Alexander

website - judyalexander.ca/

Laura Feeleus

website - laurafeeleus.ca/

To find out more about any of the works visit the 'Edge of the Forest' website  here

Thanks to Judi McLeod for masterfully taking presentable portraits under gallery lighting.

Professor Kerry Mason Speaks About Emily Carr at the Gathering at the Edge

Professor Kerry Mason and world authority on all things Emily Carr gives a presentation to the Gatherers about the artist's sketches, paintings, textiles and pottery.

I have the job of introducing Kerry

Sheila Wex, BC + Yukon representative for SDA and Barbara McCaffrey, Gathering at the Edge committee member.

Everyone was captivated by the way Kerry talked about the BC artist Emily Carr. 

In a post-event survey, people were asked, 'What did you like about the Event (the 3-day Gathering)?'

"Loved the lecture about Emily Carr,"

"Learning about Emily Carr. Such a wonderful talk!"

"Everything was so well thought out in detail but my very favourite was the Emily Carr 

presentation by Dr. Kerry Mason."

Gathering at the Edge - A Surface Design Association BC + Yukon Event, April 1 - 3, 2016

Gathering at the Edge committee members woman the registration desk in the Holiday Inn Express & Suites lobby.

Barbara McCaffery, Lesley Turner, Laura Feeleus. Susan Purney-Mark signs in.

Gatherers: Katie Stein Sather and Jennifer Love

'Gathering at the Edge' is a three-day event in conjunction with the national touring exhibition, 'Edge of the Forest,' where SDA BC + Yukon members will come together to create connection and build community.' Quote from the program.

Lori Mudrie, Elserine Sprenger, and Hugo Sprenger register in the hotel.

Many of the Gatherers stay in the hotel over the event.

Sheila Wex, the BC + Yukon representative for SDA, welcomes people to the Gathering during the celebration dinner held in the Coastal Offices Conference Room, next to the hotel.

It is a time to put faces to familiar names, to make new friendships and to renew old ones.

A common passion for fibre links and bonds everyone in the room and there is a spirit of celebration.

Special thanks to Judi McLeod for taking these photographs and continuing to document the whole event.

'Edge of the Forest' exhibition - Surface Design Association (SDA) Canada

 'Edge of the Forest' exhibition and 'Gathering at the Edge' event committee.

L to R- Gina Dingwell, Barbara McCaffrey, Lesley Turner, Laura Feeleus

After touring across Canada the 'Edge of the Forest' juried textile exhibition arrives on Vancouver Island to be hosted by the Vancouver Island Surface Design Association.

Here it is loaded up and ready to be taken to the Coast Collective's new gallery in Colwood.

Barbara and Laura

Every work was made to a specified size which made the collection a breeze to hang once Laura had done the math to fit in all the works so they were evenly spaced while filling all of the gallery's walls.

Barbara and Lesley

With the show hung we are ready for the public opening on 26th March 2016

Barbara was responsible for the food and beverages catering and the floral arrangements. She did a wonderful job.

And they came...

Lesley, Laura, Barbara

Here we are looking very pleased with ourselves after successfully hanging the exhibition and attracting the public to the opening event.
Many thanks to Judi McLeod for documenting the events with her camera.