Events for April 2015

Featured exhibit showcasing items from the museums permanent collection; dentistry, surgery, vintage medications and even veterinary medicine.
Exhibit will also include artifacts from Northern State Hospital.

The Contemporary QuiltArt Association (CQA) is a group of more than 100 Washington State artists that work with fiber, thread and textiles. CQA artists are diverse in style, materials, and techniques, often inventing new ways to stitch or manipulate fabric. Imagery created by artists range from abstract to representational, expressing thoughts, feelings, or messages with fiber as their media. They use a variety of materials including silk, linen, cotton, wool, plastic, vinyl, roving, rayon, or paper; rubber, zippers, feathers, beads, metal; yarns and threads, dye, paint, pens and more. Materials may be new or recycled. A few of the techniques used include dying, fusing, bleaching, painting, and sewing by hand and machine. Completed 2 or 3-D projects may hang on a wall or from a ceiling, rest on the floor or on a pedestal.
    As part of an evolving international movement in fiber art, CQA continues to expand the definition of an Art Quilt. CQA is excited and proud of its contributions to the public’s awareness and understanding of this Fine Art form.

Meet & Greet April 18, 3-5pm General Admission applies
 

Join us to learn hand stitches for a day. Stitching in Circles is the first class in the series of hand stitch themes. More titles will follow. Watch our website for more information. This course is for anyone who thinks they might like to try hand stitching with a fun and interesting flair. Circular stitches can be beautiful in their own right, and can be used to bring interest and pattern to any textile. No experience is necessary. All you need is enthusiasm, a desire to work with your hands, to learn new techniques and explore design ideas. Learn about: Stitches and Techniques that create circular designs Knotted Stitches Eyelets Dorset Crosswheel button Buttonhole Rings Couching And more Students in this 1-day course will receive a complementary copy of Designing with Circles 1, our Self-paced downloadable sketchbook course, to further their explorations once they are back at home; an added value of $69.95.

In this 3-day workshop, you will create an original, landscape art quilt in an impressionistic technique. Each student will bring a photo of a landscape to make and 18” x 24” quilt. This technique consists of using the rotary cutter to cut fabric into small pieces to create a palette of colors. These colorful pieces are then layered onto batting/backing, covered with tulle and machine quilted. The entire piece gives an impressionistic style, interest and depth. Skill level: beginner (with basic quilting skills), intermediate, and advanced levels.
 

Robin enjoys all types of beading, especially sewing beads on cloth, creating wall art & quilts, and sculptural pieces. Currently her two passions are designing wall art using her eco-dyed fabrics with bead embroidery, and creating personal quilts which visually journal her thoughts, experiences, and feelings. She is excited to see the development of beadwork in the past two decades, as it has shifted from the world of craft toward the world of art. She has authored eight beading books, including her latest, The Complete Photo Guide to Beading, and numerous magazine articles. Atkins lives in the San Juan Islands, Washington. Open Daily in April.
 

The inspiration for Fabric Impressions is the beautiful landscape of the Western United States, from Antelope Valley’s Poppy Reserve in the south to the aspen forests of the Sierra Nevada and to the Pacific Northwest. The techniques used in the show are perfect for depicting the larger landscape, as well as the more intimate landscapes and florals.
    The primary technique used on the fabric landscapes is reminiscent of the pointillism of the neoimpressionist painters, Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. Where they used dots of paint, the quilting technique uses tiny pieces of fabric. The second technique in the show, fusible appliqué, is used mostly on the floral quilts and in parts of some of the landscapes.
 

    Every spring, the fields surrounding La Conner are filled with bright colors. Beginning in March with the iridescent yellow daffodils and continuing through April with the varied tulips, our lives in this part of the world are alive with color and they have inspired our first floor displays. Quilts made during the 1930s Depression years brightened the lives of the makers and their families. A favorite hexagon quilt on display this quarter will be a beautiful Mosaic Quilt. This quilt is a recent addition to our collection and it features hexagons formed into diamond blocks that are arranged into a Tumbling Block setting. This quilt is all hand pieced and hand quilted, as will be many of the quilts on display. The display will also include a hexagon Grandmother’s Flower Garden, a Lily Quilt, and a Circle Star Quilt.
 

What does red mean to you? Friends and members of the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum were issued a Challenge to use RED as an inspiration to create a fiber art piece. Given only a few guidelines, they were also encouraged to experiment with a variety of fabrics, fibers, and textiles. On display are the results of their efforts; many pieces are for sale and the proceeds will be used as a fundraiser. All entries will be displayed in the Museum beginning April 1, 2014 for at least one month or until sold.
 

Meet fiber artists, Denise Miller, Nancy Ryan, and Robin Atkins. Denise and Nancy use tiny bits of fabric to create a fiber art work similar to the pointillist painters. Also, meet Robin Atkins, the artist of our new Local Artist Exhibit Program in the Landmarks Gallery! Robin enjoys all types of beading. Currently, her two passions are designing wall art using her eco-dyed fabrics with bead embroidery, and creating personal quilts which visually journal her thoughts, experiences, and feelings. Here is your opportunity to talk with the artists about their working style and the techniques involved in creating their art.
 

Special exhibit of items from the museum's permanent collection featuring hundreds of salt cellars.

Artists will be on hand to give demonstrations in fine art technique and related topics.
Sanctioned event of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Spend the first Saturday experiencing free art activities in La Conner including gallery art walks, music performances, and artist demonstrations from painting to glass blowing to stitching. Enjoy great food, shopping, and stays. Download the Skagit Valley Art Escape map.

It's been awhile since we've featured Lost River Winery, and we're happy to have them back!!!  This special Friday evening tasting will feature new releases and Liam from the winery!  Come on out for a glass and a few bottles of some excellent wines from the Winthrop area.

More Details to Come...

More Details to Come...

This is our 4th 5K run for Autism Awareness. Each year we hold this run to raise awareness and funds to help our community. This year we are raising money to help fun a group home for individuals on the Autism spectrum. Please join us on April 11, 2015

It's always a pleasure, and privilege, to host Brian Carter and his wines... he's one of the most knowledgeable winemakers in Washington State, and a veteran of over 30 years winemaking in the Northwest.  Top to bottom, his wines are all outstanding... don't miss this one and get a bottle signed by Brian!

A winemaker from Guardian Cellars will be pouring 5 highly rated wines from 3-5 and Guitarist Ford Giesbrecht will be playing an eclectic mix of Brazilian classical, American and Latin instrumentals from 3-6.
 

Abagail Adams - An exciting re-creation of a historical figure presented by Barbara Johnson. Join is for this event that let's you relive a key moment in American  History. Wine and Appetizers served.

StashFest is a unique event with unique fabrics. We feature a specialty Fabric Sale, unique fibers, and non-stop door prizes. This event is all about artisan fabrics - beautiful, hand dyed or specialty textiles and threads and is a fundraiser for the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum.

Meet Children's Author Joseph Chomiak

Discover the infinite & brilliant versatility of acrylics! Barbara De Pirro will sift through a mountain of valuable information, guiding you through the basics, while opening up new possibilities. Get a grasp on the many gels, mediums, grounds and how they can change the texture, saturation and intensity of your work. Gain an understanding of how to extend the wet time of acrylics, facilitating blending, shading, glazing and fine detail. Check out the amazing selection of grounds to prepare truly, contemporary surfaces for painting, drawing, pastel, digital printing and mixed media. Also introducing, the new High Flow paints, the beautiful QoR Watercolors and Williamsburg Oils. Whatever your approach as an artist, this lecture will offer the technical knowledge to support your concepts. FREE literature and samples, product test table, plus? get your questions answered!

This new, small batch winery in Woodinville is really cranking out some nice wines!  With a Tuscan influence, they blend Italian varietals with French grapes, producing full bodied, yet round and focused wines with plenty of concentrated flavor.  Come meet the owner/winemaker and taste through an impressive line up of Genoa wines.

Complimentary Wine tasting Featuring Fine Italian Wines with Dickerson Distributors from 3-6 pm...

Meet the artists of the Revealing the Hidden exhibit. Join us in welcoming members of the Contemporary ArtQuilt Association. CQA artists are diverse in style, materials, and techniques, often inventing new ways to stitch or manipulate fabric. Imagery created by artists range from abstract to representational, expressing thoughts, feelings, or messages with fiber as their media. This is your perfect opportunity to talk with the artists about their inspirations and working style.
 

William Church Winery will be pouring their award winning wines from 3-5pm, followed by the Jazz inspired pop dou "The Ginger Ups" from 5-7pm!

Dinner at Tree House Restaurant w. all proceeds going to the La Conner Waterfront Park Project.
Menu Includes: Southern Friend Chicken, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes w. Gravy, House Salad, Veggie, Rolls and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert...
 

A celebration of our community's commitment to a prosperous Skagit County

Jill Brazier, author of "Doley" (a bilingual children's book)

Celebrate the arrival of spring with the fresh crackle of a glass of sparkling wine!  We'll have a great line up of fab fizz, from the dry stuff to some fun sweeter bubbles... versatile with food, festive and fun, a nice glass of bubbly fits any occasion.  Wonderful case discounts... how about a chilled flute while you browse the shop and enjoy the best deck in La Conner?  ;--)

No Tonic Press - They do magic with a trumpet, guitar and vocals. End a terrific day and begin a fun evening and remember...No cover charge!

 

A portion of the proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association.

International Juried & Judged Show sponsored by the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum. Categories include: Traditional Quilts, Art Quilts, Wearable Art, and Fiber Art. Top award-winning entries, including:  Best of Show, First place winners in each Category, and the Merit of Award winners, will be featured in a special exhibit at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum from October 9-November 22, 2015. Fee per entry:  $30, Members of the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum $20 per entry. Deadline for entry midnight PST, June 30, 2015.
 
Image:  Old as Granite (detail) by Charlotte Bird, 2014 Curator's Choice