"NATURE ACROSS THE CAROLINAS".....

Here are the faces to go with the quilts at our exhibit, now on display at the NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC.  Realizing that probably only a hand full of you readers will be able to visit it in person, I'd like to direct you to Judy Simmon's blog.  

She did a wonderful job of photographing all the pieces with excellent commentary about how we work together to create a 2 1/2 month long exhibit. Click here to read Judy's post.

NATURE ACROSS THE CAROLINAS - FIBER ART WITH QUILTS

"NATURE ACROSS THE CAROLINAS - FIBER ART WITH QUILTS" exhibit at the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC is officially open.  It will run through Sept. 16, 2018.  Artists:  Judy Simmons,  Mary Stori, and Kate Weston.

 Our work is displayed upstairs in the Education Building.  It's a very large space featuring areas that flow one into another, allowing visitors plenty of room to view the exhibit.  Rocking chairs allow extended contemplation as well. Though we have different styles, we are always amazed at how well they coordinate with each other.  For instance, the purple iris piece in the foreground is Judy's, one of my deconstructed/eco printed pieces will be hung in tandem.

This is the first time we've had the use of pedestals to display our small mounted pieces.  The wire hanging system used at the Arboretum makes hanging these items on the wall quite difficult, so needless to say we are thrilled by this addition.

 Besides the ease of displaying them, it provides an alternate display idea for visitor's homes.  And we do hope visitors will be eager to purchase our work!!  Obviously, I snapped this photo of one of my pieces before the signage was put in place.

Because it took us nearly the whole day to get them hung, and I was then in a hurry to start my drive back home, I missed photographing some areas...but please enjoy the following and if you are in the area, do come for a closer look.

COUNT DOWN TO EXHIBIT

My two pals, Judy Simmons and Kate Weston and I will be hanging "Nature Across the Carolinas: Fiber Art with Quilts" this week at the NC Arboretum.  It runs July 26 - Sept. 16, 2018.  It's our third exhibit there together and the 7th time I've had work exhibited.

We got a little PR in the Asheville Citizens Time Newspaper.  Timing is everything, three photos were submitted, they chose this one.  This piece of mine actually sold at Woolworth Walk Art Gallery in the beginning of this month....but I hope it draws folks in....there will be about 90+ wall quilts to view!

You may have to click on the article to enlarge the type.....

COLOR OF NATURE - P.S.

I'm popping in today to share this one last photo of our exhibit.  Judy and I had to meet there today to add 4 replacement pieces (YEAH!!) so I was able to snap a photo of our 3 pieces that greet viewers as they enter the space.  

We each used the same pattern....different fabrics (obviously) and different size patches......we thought that would be fun for folks to see.

FIBER ART - THE COLOR OF NATURE EXHIBIT - PART 2

The quilts are hung but there was still much to be accomplished.

 Our signage has to be placed next to each quilt.  The Arboretum insists on a specific height for each sign.....so it's necessary to take the time to measure.

 The wire display system can be quite unmanageable when hanging pieces one above the other.....but we are a good team and got it done.  The ends of each wire will be coiled and hidden behind the quilts.

We ran out of wire hangers....as has happened in the past.  I've had good luck at home using 3-M Command Clips to hang my small mounted work.  They weren't keen about using them at first, but once we pointed out that it wasn't any more harmful than using adhesive dots for the signage....they agreed.  AND....don't the 4 pieces on the right look so much better without the distracting wires?

As I said, we attempt to compose a cohesive display......with no attempt to segregate our work individually.  However, as it happened these three pieces are mine.

Kate often works in a color palette that reflects her love of the Folly Beach, SC area. Her "Century Plant" piece is one of my favorites!  We chose three of my mounted pieces, featuring beadwork and agates to be displayed next to Kate's  quilt.

We are off to a good start.....my piece was purchased the very next day, before the actual opening of the show!  And......two more sold over the weekend....one of Judy's and one of Kate's.  A portion of all sales benefit the Arboretum.

FIBER ART - THE COLOR OF NATURE EXHIBIT - PART 1

FIBER ART - THE COLOR OF NATURE EXHIBIT -  NC ARBORETUM, ASHEVILLE, NC 

April 21 - July 11, 2016

BEHIND THE SCENES - Anyone who has ever volunteered to hang a quilt show knows it can be a lot of work.  This is a tad different, given we only had about 90 pieces with 4 people to hang them, but it still took us many hours!

 A blank slate awaits....allowing us to determine the location of each piece.  We have 2 narrow areas, and two much larger spaces that all flow together.

We are continually surprised at just how well our pieces complement each other.  We don't  attempt to display the work of each maker in separate locations, rather we think mixing them together keeps the viewers attention as they wander the exhibit and experience style and color changes.

 We had so many pieces that many will be presented one above the other.

Here we are in the upper lobby of the NC Arboretum in Asheville; Mary Stori, Judy Simmons, and Kate Weston......nearing the end of our hanging duties in front of one of Kate's quilts.

Check back again....I'll have some photos of the pieces hung.  Also, hop over to Judy's blog to view addtional photos.