Guest Curator - Me?!

Here is an announcement that I have been keeping hush-hush for about one year now.  (That is no easy task!!)  Last November, I put in a proposal to the Saskatchewan Craft Council about an idea for a show I had envisioned.  I thought (for me) the most amazing thing ever would be to walk into a room and be surrounded by prairie themed fibre art.  ALL kinds of fibre art.  Well, last year I got the phone call that it was accepted.  So believe it or not, I will be curating that very show!  (Curating, not jurying.)

Spring & Fall, 2013

Six months later, I received information about a call for entry in Edmonton through the Focus on Fibre Art Association with the exact same theme.  What are the odds?  Theirs will be a juried show with categories and prizes.  It happens in May 2014.  The show I'll be curating will be a gallery exhibition for early 2015.  My call for entry is officially released now.  Here it is!

Our Prairie In Fibre

Call for Entry / Expression of Interest

I am putting together an exhibition of 'Prairie' themed fibre art to be exhibited at the Saskatchewan Craft Council's Affinity Gallery from January 16 to February 21, 2015.  All fibre techniques will be considered for this exhibition including but not limited to:  dolls, soft sculpture, rug hooking, wearables, weaving, felting, knitting, stitching, and quilting.  Be as diverse as you like in your choice of work and prairie images / seasons they represent.  This will be a great stage to show the diversity of fibre work amongst prairie lovers.  Eligible entrants do not need to be juried members of the SK Craft Council, but must be a resident of the prairie provinces.

To be considered, please submit the following:

- 8 - 12 images of prairie themed fibre art (each JPEGs should not exceed 2 MB).  These need not be the actual pieces but they should provide a visual concept of the work you wish to produce or are currently creating.

- Complete list of artwork (re: submitted jpegs) detailing title, year complete, medium/technique, dimensions, and value.

 - Short bio / artist statement

 - Contact information: complete name, mailing address, telephone, and email.  

The deadline for submissions is Saturday, February 4, 2014

Mail submission to:  

Monika Kinner-Whalen

c/o Saskatchewan Craft Council

813 Broadway Avenue

Saskatoon, SK  S7N 1B5

I'm looking for art... : )

In the mean time, I will be trying out for grants to expand this exhibit into a touring show.  Wish me luck on that!!  Artists with work in the show will be paid as per CARFAC fee schedules.  Please pass the word if you know of a fibre artist whose work would be a terrific possibility!  I can't say yes to everyone, and final decisions will be made based on variety of the collection as a whole, as well as execution and how my prairie heart reacts to each piece.  Remember, I'm acting as curator and not as judge or jury.  I will do my best!  : )  Email me at Monika@MySweetPrairie.ca if you have further questions.

Okay.  WHEW!  Big steps!!