Elaine Duncan

“Dialogues:  Tapestry and Human/Nature” exhibition of tapestries by the 3-2-1 group will open on July 5 to August 20, 2010 at the South Broadway Cultural Center Gallery, 1025 BroadwaySE in Albuquerque, New Mexico in conjunction with the Handweavers Guild of America Convergence 2010.  Tapestry 3-2-1 Artists include:  New Mexico:  Elizabeth J. Buckley, Lany Eila and Katherine Perkins;  Canada:  Elaine Duncan and Linda Wallace;  and Australia:  Dorothy Clews.  We applied for an exhibition space almost 2 years ago with HGA and space being at a premium we did not receive notification until this past January that we had been invited to show at the South Broadway Cultural Center Gallery.  Our group meets virtually…with emails flying back and forth from different time zones and different environments, but always with the strong connection of weaving tapestry.  We were very excited and  surprised and  so we had to get ready to put on a major exhibition with 6 months notice.  Most everyone had work from the past and current work, but also plans for future work.  So hands flew at the looms, tapestries mounted for exhibition and conversations carried on planning for the show.  It is very exciting that shortly, Linda Wallace and I will be travelling to New Mexico to attend the festivities of Convergence, but also to see our work displayed with others in the group and realize the fruition of many hours at the loom.  We hope to see many people there where we can socialize and get caught up.  If you are planning to attend Convergence, please make time to come over to the South Broadway Cultural Center and have a peek.  I will post photos on this website of the event so those who could not attend, will have a chance to view the work.  More later….

Beautiful day for the opening of "El Maiz" exhibition at the Rochioli Winery Gallery

On May 15, 2010 “El Maiz”, the collaborative exhibition of corn pieces inspired by our tapestry retreat in El Tuito, Jalisco, Mexico was shown at the Rochioli Winery Gallery in Healdsburg, California.  Victoria Stone, one of the participants, works at the winery and hosted the show.  Many people attended the opening event which included some new pieces in the show.  I have included some photos for your enjoyment.  The exhibition travels to Mendocino Art Gallery in Mendocino, CA in September where Jean Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie’s “Water Songs” tapestries will be exhibited as well.

Pam Patrie from Oregon joined Jean Pierre Larochette and Victoria Stone

Christine Rivers' nine patch corn series shown for the first time together

new addition by Sonja Miremont

Nancy Trissel's newest tapestry for the show

The Gallery

in the main hall

On April 30, 2010 four weavers from the Nanoose Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild travelled to Quadra Island for the annual weavers retreat.  This year it was held at Tsa Kwa Luten Lodge…a most wonderful accommodation with hotel rooms or cottages, excellent food, grand views of the strait of Georgia and a very large hall where people could set up their looms, spinning wheels, knit or discuss fibre.  Downstairs the vendors set up their wares and were kept busy with the over 100 retreat people  who visited, bought and bought some more.  Hosted by the Midnight Shuttles guild from Campbell River and the Woolgatherers guild from Royston, the event was deemed a success wishing it had not been over so quickly.  Friday afternoon was check-in, vendors available for shopping, a salmon barbeque, and dinner followed by show and tell and visiting in the main hall.  Saturday was the main day starting off with breakfast:  Jo Swallow autographed and sold her new book; Don Bontron tuned spinning wheels; Kathryn Dice held a class in making cedar baskets;   the afternoon saw Carole Davidson give a workshop on making Tassels;  I had set up some tapestry looms for demonstrating; and people spun, knit and talked fibre.  And of course, did I mention the vendors?  The highlight in the late afternoon was a fashion show commentated by Jean Newsted.  This was followed by a lovely dinner.  The evening saw some people visit the hot tubs, and others visiting in the main hall.  On Sunday, many people walked on the grounds before attending the breakfast brunch in the dining hall.  Check out was 11 am and so people started packing up and preparing to go back home.  Everyone had had a great time and are looking forward to future retreats.  I have included some photos of this great weekend and hope you enjoy them!

the view from the lodge

the first garment of the fashion show...a handwoven shawl

One of the organizers, Lynn Hilton, modelling a selection of mobius scarves

group project: shawls

lovely handwoven shawl

Heather Sinclair modelling her nuno felted garment...right now it is a shawl, but maybe it will be a skirt in the future?

another group project...vests

Handwoven top and skirt using a mixed fibre warp from a class with Jo Swallow

As part of being a volunteer for the American Tapestry Alliance I was invited to Omaha, Nebraska by the directors of the board to attend their board meeting.  These are usually held every 18 months.  It gives the board an opportunity to meet face-to-face rather than our usual method of communication which is email.  ATA is a large organization and many people think that we have an office building, reception area, meeting rooms, etc.  In reality, we are a small volunteer board who dedicate many hours of our personal time communicating by way of computers to run a very active organization with many goals and commitments. 

This year we were invited by co-director, Mary Zicafoose, to Pahuk near Omaha, Nebraska.  Pahuk is a unique place, the fifth and most sacred of the Pawnee Indian holy sites.  It is the place where the Pawnee believed all creation sprang forth and also the Source it returned to.  Its many trails and walking paths wind through prairie, forest, bluffs and river front.  Mary believes there is a great creative energy associated with this land and the board members agree as we work through a new five year plan, review the membership surveys and think tanks.  Some of us arrived a day early in order to take in the sights and sounds of a vibrant arts and crafts community in Omaha.  With Mary as our guide, we spent the morning at the Jun Kaneko ceramic studio, workshop, warehouse and creativity center. After viewing the vision of  Jun and speaking with his staff we could hardly wait to get back to our studios and get ready to work.  The afternoon was spent at the Bemis Center where we viewed art in many forms and talked with a resident fibre artist.  We all agreed that Nebraska was very lucky to have such a wonderful facility.  The later part of the afternoon was spent at Mary Zicafoose’s studio where she shared her work and spoke of her plans for weaving.  We also enjoyed the extremes in weather getting to experience a tornado warning, lightning, thunder, hail and rain. all in one night;  but also walking the grounds and viewing the birds and foliage.  It was a most productive meeting spending long days going over business details but leaving with a feeling that the organization was on strong ground and cohesive consensus prevailing.  I have included some photos of our time in Nebraska.  I hope you enjoy!

The first morning waking up in Nebraska

Jun Kaneko Ceramics Studio

Apprentice hand building the very tall ceramic dongos

 

Finished product waiting to be shipped

Jun's assistant showing the board members of ATA around the studio

Bemis Center Building

Mary Zicafoose Studio

The grounds of Pahuk

Not only Maiz tapestries were exhibited at the Naval Museo in Puerto Vallarta on February 3-7, 2010, but workshop participants had the opportunity to show other small format tapestries as well.  I have included here some photos of that portion of the exhibition.

This tapestry was woven by Jean Pierre Larochette titled:  “To Gunto Stolzl”

Woven by Donna Millen

Woven by Lynn Cosell

Woven by Jennifer Sharpe, Australia

Woven by Yadin Larochette

Woven by Gabriel Canales, Mexico

At the end of our time in El Tuito at the tapestry retreat, we pack up and move into Puerto Vallarta to the Hotel Rosita.  The weather has turned wet and windy and we are hoping that the highway into PV will be navigable.  This is the same day that the second group of tapestry weavers are to arrive for the start of their workshop.  We all meet for this day, Wednesday, February 3rd, where we go to the Naval Museo Gallery on the Malecon to get the exhibition hung and ready for the opening in the evening.  Part of the exhibition includes the new pieces woven this past year with the theme of corn.  The other part includes tapestries woven by the retreat participants from both the first and second retreats.  It is an exciting day as the energy mounts meeting old friends and making new acquaintances.  The second group includes Jennifer Sharpe who has come all the way from Australia, as well as Celia Quinn and Christopher Perry from Alaska, Sally Williamson and her daughter, Holly, from Colorado, Kissiah Carlson from Texas, Louise Abbott from Maine, and Sonni  Wendt from Utah.  Jackie Wollenberg from the first retreat stayed on for the second as well.  The opening of the show was well attended inspite of the rainy weather.  Many of the weavers met for dinner later at Las Palomas restaurant where tapestry and the retreat were talked about extensively.  I have included photos of the corn show…enjoy.

well attended exhibition

El Maiz: Artist Jean Pierre Larochette

Cutting off ceremony Jean Pierre Larochette and Christine Rivers

Artist: Christine Rivers Corn Patch Series

Seven tapestry weavers arrived from British Columbia, Canada, Arizona, California, and Virginia, USA to Casa Tejedora, El Tuito, Jalisco on Saturday, January 23 for a 13 day tapestry retreat hosted by Jean Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie.  This year’s retreat started with everyone sharing their new tapestries for the exhibition at the Naval Museo in Puerto Vallarta scheduled opening on February 3, 2010.  We started warping our looms and sharing our plans for the weaving and designing portions of our time.  Each weaver chose their own project as there was no set agenda this time.  Christine Rivers of Parksville, BC. chose to weave a piece for her corn series showing people harvesting the corn in the fields as her theme.  Mimi Heft from San Francisco, CA sketched a cob of corn, which she proceeded to weave in playful colours.  Olga Neuts from Tucson, AZ chose to spend the first half of the retreat sketching stalks of corn with advice from Yael and then spent the last half on a loom weaving a small sampler approximately 2+” wide which was delightful.  Lynn  Cosell from Virginia worked on geometric designs from her computer and then wove some special hachures as her sample.  Jackie Wollenberg from Fort Bragg, CA spent her time working on portable pin looms where she wove fine detailed tapestries in very small format utilizing all four selvages.  Her pieces were finished and included in the exhibition.  Donna Millen from Denman Island, BC brought a small brass pipe loom and a prepared cartoon inspired by ruins found at Pelanque, Mexico.  She chose a small portion of the ruin which showed the hand of a god holding the cob of corn.  It was very difficult to weave and Donna says she learned alot.  In preparation for the the retreat, I naturally dyed some textured and plain silks, linens, wools to use in a new series of tapestries I was planning to weave.  Only 4 1/2″ wide on the loom, each tapestry was to be woven approximately 5″ long.  The tapestries were based on photographs of nature — bark, ponds, lily pads, waterfalls, etc.  I was able to complete 2 pieces while there, with plans to weave another 5 while in Mexico and then one more when I got home.  I almost succeeded…got 6 woven in Mexico. 

We went on an overnight beach excursion to Tenacatita Beach, about 2-3 hour south of El Tuito.  Everyone enjoyed the hotel, the food, shopping with the vendors.  It was also very inspiring to look out to the ocean, and watch the birds and the fishermen. 

Everyone agreed that the time spent at Casa Tejedora was wonderful and they would like to visit again.

Jackie Wollenberg using a magnifier to see the fine detail in her tapestries.

Olga Neuts working on her tapestry

View towards La Manzanilla from Tenacatita Beach

Mimi, Olga, Jackie and Lynn shopping with the vendors

We have arrived in Puerto Vallarta on January 16 to stay for one week at the Hotel Rosita before our tapestry retreat starts in El Tuito with Jean Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie.  The weather has been warm and sunny with blue skies.  On January 23rd, fellow tapestry weavers, Donna Millen from Denman Island and Christine Rivers from Parksville and I travelled to El Tuito.  We met with four others from the United States, Lynn Cosell from Virginia, Olga Neuts from Arizona, Jackie Wollenberg  and Mimi Heft from California.  We are very spoiled here at Casa Tejedoras where we are fed wonderful and tasty Mexican food and have gracious accommodation.  On the first full day, new tapestries woven over the past year have been shown.  Many of these pieces will be exhibited in Puerto Vallarta at the Museo de Naval on the Malecon during the ARTWALK on Wednesday, February 3 through to Saturday, February 6th.  Each weaver is working on individualized projects with great help from Jean Pierre and spend time designing with Yael.  We only have one day left of our retreat as I am writing this.  Small format tapestries are being completed and cut from looms as our deadline is approaching.  This evening Jean Pierre and Yael will present a talk about their work. The weather has changed the past two days with lots and lots of rain.  These are considered winter rains and the last time they occurred was about 20 years ago according to the locals.  I will photograph our exhibition tomorrow and get the images posted so you can see what our group has been up to.

Los Conchas Chinas Playa

Well a new year has begun and with it many of us set goals and make plans for the coming year.  I am very thankful for the great year I had in 2009 with teaching alot of classes, making new friends and weaving lots and learning lots.  I look forward to 2010 with great anticipation, remembering of course, to live in the present moment and appreciate what I currently have and where I currently am. 

I just wanted to remind tapestry weavers of the upcoming deadline for entries into the Open Small Format Tapestry exhibition sponsored by the American Tapestry Alliance, “Enchanted Pathways”.  The deadline for your entry form is January 15, 2010.  Prospectus and entry forms are available on the ATA website:  www.americantapestryalliance.org .  This is a great show for beginners to professional weavers.  A catalog will also be available.  The exhibition will be held at the William and Joseph Gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, NM from July 10-31, 2010 in conjunction with HGA’s Convergence.  I know I am looking forward to seeing it!

On Tuesday, November 17, a fellow tapestry weaver, Linda Wallace and I went over to Maiwa Handprints on Granville Island in Vancouver.  We were both interested in looking at the extensive textile library and textiles they have upstairs at the Net Loft.  Anne met us about 10 am and gave us a tour.  She said the purpose of the library and textile collection was to share the information with researchers, fibre enthusiasts and anyone else who was interested.  She referred to it as a living library…meaning we could  handle the textiles, photograph to our heart’s content and photocopy the books, make notes and sketches.  We spent a good two hours before breaking for lunch.  We spent another 1 1/2 hours after lunch.  The books and textiles are arranged generally by country and/or subject.  There were sections of Mexico, South America, India, southeast Asia, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, etc.  I was primarily interested in Natural Dyes and Mexican rug motifs, whereas Linda was interested in stitched pieces from India.  If anyone is interested in going or taking a group such as a study group or guild, you just have to let Maiwa know so they can arrange to have someone there.  You cannot just drop in which is understandable.  I have included some photos of the cabinets which house these treasures.  We have plans to go back hopefully on a monthly basis to add to our research and study the textiles.  There is too much to absorb in a single day.  It is wonderful to have a center like this available to us.

Cabinets holding books and textiles

Maiwa Textile Library

Mexico Cabinet of Textiles and Books