Gallery Night, April 16th

It wasn't near as successful as the one last year but that might be because it was COLD.  The first hour was very pleasant but then the sun sunk down below the buildings and my teeth started chattering.  Didn't talk to as many people this time 'round.  Probably because it was so COLD.  We left early. 

I am planning on doing this again for Gallery Night in July.  How cool would it be to get a large group of weavers out there at the same time?  If you have a table loom that you can move with ease (or with a little help) and would like to do this with us, let me know.  We could all ACCIDENTALLY show up at the same time.  PERFORMANCE ART! 

Taking it to the streets II

Friday night is Gallery Night here in Milwaukee and weather permitting Susan Buss and I will be taking our looms to the 3rd ward to give weaving demonstrations and hand out information on the studio classes.  If you are out and about stop over and say "HI."

ABK Spring Sale

We are still looking for items to sell.  If you are interested in selling your fibre art please contact the studio at 267-5771 or post a message on here and I'll get back to you. 

Bon Appetit!

I was feeling decidedly lazy last night and in spite of the fact that I have about 10 half finished projects sitting in my kitchen I decided to take an evening off.  A quick perusal of Netflix informed me that Julie & Julia  was available for my immediate viewing pleasure.  If you are interested in my review of the movie here it is:  I LOVED IT!  Oh my Goodness did I love it.  I won't get into the specifics of why I loved it but I wanted to share a screen capture from the movie....

Just look at that beautiful woven blanket behind them.  Look at it!  That's all I'm saying.  Anyone recognize the pattern?

One Knit at a Time

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

ABK Weaving Center needs a few good knitters or crocheters for an outdoor project. In an effort to beautify the world and draw attention to the Weaving Center, ABK is looking to wrap the trees along Burleigh Ave. in brightly colored, handmade tree scarves. The scarves can be in a bright color and pattern of your choosing but the dimensions should be 25 inches long (longer if you want) and it needs to stretch to at least 50 inches wide. The Center will have some yarn available for those who need it. If you would like to volunteer, talk to your teacher, the studio director (Marcia), or contact Harmonie Baker at harmoniebaker@sbcglobal.net.

The finished scarves will be tied onto the trees with a corset tie, they will go up on special event days and be taken down when the event is over. We want to keep a good relationship with the school and our neighbors so this is not guerilla or graffiti knitting. Please do not put up the scarves yourself. If you would like to volunteer to put them up or take them down, please let us know.

The ABK Weaving Center has some exciting events coming up in 2010. We are gearing up for a creative and active year. We will be needing volunteers periodically and there will be a volunteer sign up sheet in the studio for those who are interested.  This is just one of many ways in which you can help.

Stitched Ground: Four Artists Embroider the Land

Wisconsin Academy of Sciences Arts and Letters

James Watrous Gallery

Stitched Ground:  Four Artists Embroider the Land

Terese Agnew, Chris Niver, Leah Evans, and Sarah Gagnon
February 23 – April 11, 2010

Stitched Ground is an exploration of landscape through the painstaking and richly textured medium of embroidery.  Artists Terese Agnew, Chris Niver, Leah Evans, and Sarah Gagnon use needle and thread to create work that embodies the contradictions implicit in our relationship to the land.
This exhibition is a collaborative project between the James Watrous Gallery and the Design Gallery, UW–Madison School of Human Ecology.

Friday, February 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m., exhibition reception with gallery talk led by guest curator and Design Gallery director Jody Clowes.  Exhibiting artists will be present. Gallery talk begins at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 7, 2:00 p.m., Gallery talk with exhibition artist Terese Agnew

Sunday, March 21, 2:00 p.m., Gallery talk with exhibition artist Leah Evans

Saturday, March 27, 1–3:00 p.m., Children’s tour and workshop with the Madison Children’s Museum and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; pre-registration required.

ABK 2010 Spring Classes

Weaving & Fiber Arts at the Alice Bertschy Kadish Memorial Weaving Center – Offering classes in weaving and related arts. The Weaving Center is located on the lower level of Gaenslen School, 1250 E. Burleigh St. in Milwaukee. Visit us on the web at www.abkweavingcenter.org for more information and to check for materials fees and supply information.  You may register online here.

Book Arts Workshop
Learn the fine art of making books. Each session will focus on a different aspect of book arts from cover to cover. Classes include: Covers, End Papers, Creating Content and Page Layout, Pop- ups, Historical Embellishments, Binding Accordion-style Books, Binding Simple Pamphlets, Binding Multi-Signature Hard Cover Books. Fee does not include materials. Materials fee payable to in- structor at first class (cash only). Materials fee is approximately $5 a week. Beginners welcome.
Gaenslen ............................. #20729
Tue., Apr 13-May 11, 6:00PM- 8:30PM $30 Residents/$30 Non-Residents/ $25 for ages 55 & up

Continuing Weaving Int./Adv.
Experienced weavers welcome. Should have knowledge of warping a loom and planning a project. Individual instruction provided when necessary. Instructor: Susan Leopold.
Gaenslen ............................. #20794
Mon., Apr 12-Jun 7, 10:00AM-12:00PM $54 Residents/$54 Non-Residents/ $43 for ages 55 & up

Jewelry Design Workshop
Create your own jewelry. Learn the basic techniques of working with sheet metal, beads, stones and wire using simple tools and tricks to create spectacular wearables. Supplies and tools to be provided by the student. A supply list will be posted at www.abkweavingcenter.org before the class begins. In- structor: Sharon Giesfeldt Van Ruiswyk
Gaenslen ............................. #21586
Tue., May 18-Jun 8, 6:00PM- 8:30PM $30 Residents/$30 Non-Residents/ $25 for ages 55 & up

Botanical Print Tote Bags
Design a unique tote using fresh flowers and leaves to create one-of-a-kind bags. Fun & easy! Materials fee extra (cash only). Instructor: Susan Leopold
Gaenslen ............................. #21591
Tue., Apr 20, 6:00PM- 8:00PM $20 Residents/$20 Non-Residents/

Cotton Cuties
Dye your own unique clothes and acces- sories! Hats, T-shirts, socks etc. Bring a white 100% cotton top to dye. Bring an old towel, rubber gloves and plastic bags. Materials fee extra (cash only). Instructor: Susan Leopold
Gaenslen ............................. #21592
Tue., May 18, 5:30PM- 8:30PM $20 Residents/$20 Non-Residents

Pattern Drafting for Beginners
Learn to use weaving shorthand and drafts for your next weaving project. Class will include using computer programs for drafting a weaving pattern. Instructor: Judy Larsen
Gaenslen ............................. #21597
Wed., May 5-May 12, 2:00PM- 4:30PM $30 Residents/$30 Non-Residents/ $25 for ages 55 & up

Open Studio for Experienced Weavers - Int./Adv.
No instructor. Enjoy the camaraderie of studio weaving. For those who wish to weave away from home. Fees are for use of our studio space and equipment. Someone will be on hand the first week to help familiarize you with the Weaving Center.
Gaenslen ............................. #21117
Thu., Apr 22-Jun 10, 9:00AM-11:30AM $49 Residents/$49 Non-Residents

Weaving Basics and Beyond
Beginners will learn to warp the loom and weave a sampler of patterns. Weavers beyond beginning level continue the learning process with a project of choice. Fee does not include materials. Materials and sampler fee are payable to the instructor at the first class (cash only).
Gaenslen ............................. #21412
Tue., Apr 20-Jun 8, 6:00PM- 8:30PM $54.50 Residents/$54.50 Non-Residents/ $43 for ages 55 & up
Gaenslen ............................. #21413
Thu., Apr 22-Jun 10, 6:00PM- 8:30PM $54.50 Residents/$54.50 Non-Residents/ $43 for ages 55 & up
Gaenslen ............................. #21414
Wed., Apr 21-May 19, 9:00AM- 1:00PM $54.50 Residents/$54.50 Non-Residents/ $43 for ages 55 & up
Gaenslen ............................. #21584
Sat., Apr 17-Jun 5, 9:00AM-11:30AM $54.50 Residents/$54.50 Non-Residents/ $43 for ages 55 & up

Wisconsin Handweaver's Meetings:
The public is welcome. Anyone interested in weaving and related arts is welcome to join us for monthly membership meetings and programs which are held on the second Saturday of the month from September to December and from February to May at Gaenslen School, 1250 E. Burleigh St., Milwaukee, WI. Meetings are held from10:00 a.m. to noon.
For online information go to www.wihandweavers.org.