Celebrate Contemporary Quilter's Art at Yesterday, Today and ...
Celebrate Contemporary Quilter's Art at Yesterday, Today and ...
Celebrate Contemporary Quilter's Art at Yesterday, Today and ...
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<strong>Celebr<strong>at</strong>e</strong> <strong>Contemporary</strong> Quilter’s <strong>Art</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Yesterday</strong>, <strong>Today</strong> <strong>and</strong> TomorrowMay 2, 2008 - Kitchener, Ontario, Canada - The Kitchener-W<strong>at</strong>erloo <strong>Art</strong> Gallery invites the public to<strong>at</strong>tend the opening reception for The Gr<strong>and</strong> N<strong>at</strong>ional quilt exhibition on May 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.Presented annually by the Kitchener-W<strong>at</strong>erloo <strong>Art</strong> Gallery <strong>and</strong> Joseph Schneider Haus Museum (JSH), TheGr<strong>and</strong> N<strong>at</strong>ional celebr<strong>at</strong>es the beauty <strong>and</strong> cre<strong>at</strong>ivity of quilt-making across Canada. Each year, quiltsubmissions span the vast reaches of Canada. This year, the show includes submissions from as far westas Victoria, British Columbia to Corner Brook, Newfoundl<strong>and</strong> in the east.Cur<strong>at</strong>or Susan Burke, from JSH, selected over 60works for their technical excellence <strong>and</strong> cre<strong>at</strong>iveinterpret<strong>at</strong>ion of the 2008 theme: <strong>Yesterday</strong>,<strong>Today</strong> <strong>and</strong> Tomorrow. The theme challengesCanadian quilters to reveal their thoughts ontime <strong>and</strong> its meanings in their lives. Is the pastconsidered with a sense of nostalgia? Is thepresent wh<strong>at</strong> we imagined it would be? Will theworld of tomorrow look anything like it doestoday? The contemporary quilts chosen for TheGr<strong>and</strong> N<strong>at</strong>ional present memories of the past,reflections of today, <strong>and</strong> visions of tomorrow.Sonja Ohlmann (Leduc, AB), Alberta Road, 2006, mixed media. Imagecourtesy of the artist. Photo: K.J. Bedford, KW|AG.Visitors will encounter a gallery filled with some of themost remarkable examples of the contemporary quilter'sart. The works challenge our notion of the traditionalquilt with unique shapes, colours, m<strong>at</strong>erials, <strong>and</strong> evenquilted sculptures as part of the exhibition. According toBurke, "The quilt artists of this year's The Gr<strong>and</strong>N<strong>at</strong>ional have explored the theme thoughtfully <strong>and</strong>artfully, exploiting fully the power of their multi-layeredmedium to evoke the complex layers of humanexperience <strong>Yesterday</strong>, <strong>Today</strong> <strong>and</strong> Tomorrow."Lynn Krueger (Elmira, ON), Teapots: <strong>Yesterday</strong>, <strong>Today</strong> <strong>and</strong>Tomorrow, 2008, mixed media. Image courtesy of the artist.Photo: K.J. Bedford, KW|AG.Interestingly, many of the artists chose a triptych (three panel quilt work) to illustr<strong>at</strong>e their them<strong>at</strong>icinterpret<strong>at</strong>ion of <strong>Yesterday</strong>, <strong>Today</strong> <strong>and</strong> Tomorrow. Their visual narr<strong>at</strong>ive is divided into three chapters toeffectively demonstr<strong>at</strong>e the three distinct moments in time.1
Donna Pringle (Oliver, BC), Mascot Gold Mine: The Mascot Mine; HedleyTownsite: The Stamp Mill, 2008, fabric. Image courtesy of the artist. Photo:K.J. Bedford, KW|AG.Visitors to the Gallery will have theopportunity cast their vote for theViewer's Choice Award sponsoredby Elna, Canada. Additional awardswill be presented <strong>at</strong> the <strong>Art</strong>ists’Awards Reception on May 29 from6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Awards include aGr<strong>and</strong> Prize sponsored byGreenwood Quiltery (Guelph, ON)<strong>and</strong> Co<strong>at</strong>s <strong>and</strong> Clark, Canada; theCur<strong>at</strong>or's Choice Award sponsoredby the W<strong>at</strong>erloo County Quilters'Guild; the Janome Award ofExcellence; <strong>and</strong> Best Interpret<strong>at</strong>ionof the Theme sponsored byTriangle Sewing Centre (Guelph,ON) <strong>and</strong> Cre<strong>at</strong>ive Sewing Centre(Kitchener, ON).As part of the exhibition, on May 24, May 26 to May 31, <strong>and</strong> June 1 st , “white glove” volunteers will bepresent in the Gallery to answer questions <strong>and</strong> provide their expertise on the technical aspects of quilting.These volunteers wear gloves to h<strong>and</strong>le the works without damaging them. The Gr<strong>and</strong> N<strong>at</strong>ional will alsofe<strong>at</strong>ure a video <strong>and</strong> activities for the public to enjoy throughout the Gallery spaces. All activities areaimed <strong>at</strong> celebr<strong>at</strong>ing the art of quilting. Visitors can contribute to a collabor<strong>at</strong>ive series of quilt blocks orcre<strong>at</strong>e their own quilt work with the various m<strong>at</strong>erials provided. Otto Beyer’s works, from KW|AG’spermanent collection, will also be fe<strong>at</strong>ured in the Interpret<strong>at</strong>ive Gallery, inviting participants to considerthe ways his paintings are reminiscent of quilting <strong>and</strong> home crafts.A twelve page insert fe<strong>at</strong>uring images of the exhibited quilts will be fe<strong>at</strong>ured in the June issue of ANeedle Pulling Thread magazine. A full exhibition c<strong>at</strong>alogue will be available for free download on theKitchener-W<strong>at</strong>erloo <strong>Art</strong> Gallery web site <strong>at</strong> http://www.kwag.on.ca/section/view/?fnode=107The Gr<strong>and</strong> N<strong>at</strong>ional exhibition will be complemented by Janet Morton’s Better Homes <strong>and</strong> Gardens in theEastman Gallery. For more inform<strong>at</strong>ion on Better Homes <strong>and</strong> Gardens, read our companion press release.Exhibition DetailsThe Gr<strong>and</strong> N<strong>at</strong>ional: <strong>Yesterday</strong>, <strong>Today</strong> <strong>and</strong> TomorrowMay 9 – July 6, 2008Public Opening: Friday, May 9, 7-9 p.m.; Opening Remarks: 7:20 p.m.; Free admissionExtended Hours: May 30-31: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.“White glove” volunteers present on May 24, May 26 to May 31, <strong>and</strong> June 1 st<strong>Art</strong>ists’ Awards Reception: Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.Admission from May 10 - July 6: $6 Adults, $2 Children (ages 6-12), $5 each for Groups of 20 or moreAdmission is free for KW|AG members with a membership card.About the Kitchener-W<strong>at</strong>erloo <strong>Art</strong> GalleryThrough thoughtful <strong>and</strong> engaging programs, the Kitchener-W<strong>at</strong>erloo <strong>Art</strong> Gallery (KW|AG) connects people<strong>and</strong> ideas through art. The Gallery’s exhibits <strong>and</strong> programs are built on the mission th<strong>at</strong> art is the c<strong>at</strong>alyst2
for shared experience, dialogue <strong>and</strong> imagin<strong>at</strong>ion. The Gallery emphasizes contemporary art, oftenpremiering works by Canadian <strong>and</strong> intern<strong>at</strong>ional artists. Exhibitions frequently draw upon selections fromthe 4 000 work permanent collection to provide a forum for dialogue. KW|AG plays a vital educ<strong>at</strong>ionalrole in the community, offering a full spectrum of artistic experience for adults, children <strong>and</strong> familiesalike. Established in 1956 <strong>and</strong> oper<strong>at</strong>ing within Centre In The Square, KW|AG is the oldest <strong>and</strong> largestpublic gallery in W<strong>at</strong>erloo region: roots in the community, eyes on the world. For more inform<strong>at</strong>ion,contact mail@kwag.on.ca or visit www.kwag.on.ca.Media ContactTracy SmithCommunic<strong>at</strong>ions Coordin<strong>at</strong>orKitchener-W<strong>at</strong>erloo <strong>Art</strong> Gallery101 Queen Street NorthKitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7tsmith@kwag.on.ca519.579.5860 X222Connecting people <strong>and</strong> ideas through art.3
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