John Campbell Folk School Class--one more time!

I am back at the John C. Campbell Folk School this week for a class that I've called "Tapestry--Inspired by Landscape" and the topic is one that's near and dear to my heart since I work with details within the landscape as a primary focus for my own work.  Here's the fiber/weaving studio tonight as I left it heading to my room... still lighted up with energy of people still working:

I have a class of ten and a wonderful assistant who I met when she was a student as Bhakti Ziek and I taught at Penland Concentration in 2017.  Allie is doing a great assistant's job here at JCFS and will also be with me at Arrowmont in a month or so as my assistant there.

Here's Allie, working away as I left the studio tonight.  She finished a small tapestry TODAY that she started YESTERDAY and that I haven't yet photographed and NOW she is almost done with another small one tonight!  Just about 24 hours into her stay here at the Folk School.  Good Lord!

Allie is the speed demon of the group of us... but then she's 23 years old!  Yet the rest of us in the class are 30-somethings -- but the others have also accomplished so much... and in the first day.  Here's a quick walk around the room with my camera.  I didn't capture all that took place but a a taste of the energy that's here.

I truly love the John Campbell Folk School.  The very first weaving class I took as I was learning to weave was here in about 1974 or 1975. And I've taught at the Folk School since the early 1980s. When I was still employed as full-time faculty at the university the workshops I did here and elsewhere were during my summer breaks.  After I retired in 2000 I began doing workshops any time I wanted to and I've tried to get back to the Folk School often.  Each experience has been different and special.

There are a few people who've return year after year to take a class with me and I'm always happy to see their names on the roster.  Thank you for that:  Joann, Ann, Carol, Sidsel, Nancy... and others who aren't here at this particular class.  You've always made my time at the Folk School even more special than it would have otherwise been.

Next year's class I'll be doing at the Folk School will be my last one here.  And as I see it right now, the last one I'll do anywhere except for (possibly) occasional private sessions in my studio as I mentioned a few posts ago--for lots of reasons and all of them right ones, I think.

So... now... four more days to go in this exceptional time here! Onward!

Into the Nature: Cycles, Habitats & Elements of Place--exhibit at the Hudgens Center

My art work is included in an exhibit opening on May 22 at the Hudgens Center for Arts and Learning, Duluth, Georgia.  Angela Nichols, the curator, is bringing together works of seven fiber artists.  Each is inspired by the physical world to create works in many styles and materials.  My tapestries and works on paper will be featured as a solo component showing in the Kistner Atrium Gallery.

Link to more about this on the Hudgens Center website is here.

Yesterday my pieces were picked up and delivered to the Center.  What a challenge to get them off the walls and wrapped up for the ride in a rental van!  I sent twenty-three tapestries and about 40 works on paper for Angela to select from for exhibit.  Although not all pieces will likely fit into the atrium gallery, I know she'll display as many as possible.

A reception for the exhibit will be held on Saturday, June 2 from 2-4 pm.  There is a Hudgens Center member outing planned to visit my studio in Dahlonega on Monday, June 11.  And then I'll be at the Center on Saturday, June 23 to demonstrate weaving during Family Day from 11 am to 1 pm; I'll plan at least one other demonstration during the exhibition at a date still to be determined.

Next up?  A retreat of Tapestry Weavers South members is coming soon at St. Simon's in south Georgia.  This will be the second version of what seems to be becoming an annual event.  We were there last year and had a great time.  I wrote a little about last year's retreat at this blog post.  Lots of sharing and weaving and discussions about all things tapestry will take place.  The week after that I'll be going to John Campbell Folk School to teach a class and I'm really looking forward to it.  In the class we'll be looking at nature and finding ways to interpret what we find in tapestry. The Folk School at this time of year will hold many visual treasures to inspire.

Now... today... some dyeing and weaving are on my schedule!  After a visit to the local farmers' market to see what I can find.  I love spring!

Cancer is a cruel one

Two weeks ago today our family lost a wonderful person.  My sister-in-law's seventeen year battle with cancer came to an end.

Joanne was funny, interested in others, loved her family and friends dearly.  She was compassionate and always kind.  She was a loyal sibling, spouse and mother.  She was a wonderful aunt, sister-in-law and friend to many.  She was a role model of courage and determination as she met each new episode of cancer and other health issues stoically.  She continued to have a sense of humor and relished laughter.  She will be missed always by everyone who knew her.

Here she was in 2008 when she and her twin sister came to spend a week at "weaving boot camp" at my studio.  I showed them both how to set up a loom and they planned, warped, and wove rag fabric into a rug (Joan) and a runner (Jean).

 At the end of the week I took them on a field trip to John Campbell Folk School and my husband treated us all to dinner that evening--at which time he presented them both with a trophy, blue ribbon and a certificate of achievement he'd printed just for them!  What a fun time for us all.

Joan had such a good time doing the weaving she bought a loom and wove quite a few things with it until other health issues arose that caused her not be able to weave any longer.  I have a hand towel and a table runner she wove that I treasure and I think of her every time I use them.

She will be truly missed by all who knew her.  Here are links to the posts I made when our boot camp was going on in 2008:

https://tapestry13.blogspot.com/2008/06/weaving-boot-camp.html

https://tapestry13.blogspot.com/2008/06/boot-camp-continues.html

https://tapestry13.blogspot.com/2008/06/graduation-day-at-weaving-boot-camp.html

https://tapestry13.blogspot.com/2008/06/field-trip-for-boot-camp-graduates.html