Portfolio 2021: Best of 2020

Web-based Exhibit, FRCQ Website, January 31 through December 31, 2021

Portfolio 2021 – Best of 2020 is a web-based exhibit open to members of Front Range Contemporary Quilters. The art accepted into this show will be the home page feature for the FRCQ website that displays the best work completed by our members in 2020. There will be no catalog published.  View the exhibit HERE.

Juror:

The Juror for Portfolio 2021: The Best of 2020 is Martha Wolfe.

Martha Wolfe is a member of Viewpoints 9, an international, invitational, fiber art group, founded in 2012. Based on challenges posed by each artist, we consider unique sources of creative inspiration, sharing our interpretations on a bi-monthly, online blog. The emerging narrative allows opportunities to experiment with new techniques, share each artist’s individual perspective and glimpse their creative process. Viewpoints 9 is an intimate portrait of the feelings and fascinations of the artists transcending language, distance and culture.

When Martha Wolfe started her artist’s journey in the 70’s, she was a printmaker and a maker of “soft sculpture” – as her earliest art quilts were called – but along the way, she was waylaid by the fascinating world of science.  Always attuned to nature and the ocean, being a Marine Toxicologist fit easily into her dreams, providing the opportunity to observe our environment, work to protect it, and share these values with others.

In retrospect, she believes being a scientist helped make her a better artist, and throughout her years in academia she maintained a relationship with art. When the opportunity afforded itself in 2010, she made the commitment to pursue art quilting full time.  Around that time she became an enthusiastic supporter of SAQA. It has given her a venue to share my work throughout the world via exhibitions and publications and been an ongoing source of inspiration and support.

It is a fair leap from academic science to the world of art quilting, but her love of learning bridges the chasm.  She has a passion for the creative and new, in science or art. She is also the secretary of Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc.

A Special Message to FRCQ from Martha:

What an honor it was to jury the Front Range Contemporary Quilters’ annual Portfolio exhibition for 2020. To me, FRCQ represents a dynamic group of talented fiber artists from all stages in their creative journey, from the well-established artist to those just acquainting themselves with the art quilt. FRCQ is known for its welcoming and nurturing community, mentoring artists and cultivating the fine art in quilting. Thus, my expectation for the response to the call was high. I was not disappointed.

I was invited to select the “Best Work of 2020”. But how do you select the “Best of” from 2020, a year defined by so many disruptive events; the Covid-19 pandemic, record-breaking natural disasters, growing social unrest and a widening ideological chasm between fellow Americans? How do you consider the impact these extraordinary events have had on artists? Do they drive one to try new things, to seek new answers or ways to express new feelings? Or do they compel one to reach for the comfort of the constant and familiar? Where did the artists find inspiration in this year of unique challenges? All of these questions were in my thoughts as I opened the files to view each entry.

My hope was to create an exhibit that featured the works that stood out, not only in imagery and execution, but took creative risks, explored deep places and evoked a reaction. Initially, I viewed only the images, looking solely for visual impact, taking in the beauty, the recognizable, the textures and saturated colors, the solemn truths. A second review included a closer look at materials and techniques used as well as thoughtful consideration of the artist’s statement. With each step in the review, works were set aside, adding and subtracting from the collection, back and forth. When at last the group felt strong and connected, the final selections were made.

Despite the uncertainties of 2020, it was clear that the artists were buoyed by their work. Some artists found refuge in themes of peace and comfort in their natural surroundings. Some found strength to protect their loved ones. For some artists, it was a safe place to begin a new series or experiment with a new technique, while others seized the opportunity to revisit work they had put away and to breathe new life into it. And still others explored difficult themes of loss and impermanence, the need for social justice and the vulnerability of our environment. Overall, it is a powerful, thought-provoking show, that invites the viewer to look closer. It would have been wonderful to view this exhibit hanging in a gallery, to get close and appreciate each stitch, ponder and discuss each artist’s statement and be immersed in the moment.

As with all exhibits, there were many worthy entries that could not be included. Additionally, it was disappointing to reject interesting work due to weak photography. Professional quality photographs are always important, however, in this era of virtual exhibitions they can be the deciding factor. I applaud all that entered. I know, as a studio artist myself, 2020 demanded strength and resilience to focus and create. All of the work I viewed demonstrated those attributes and I would encourage every artist to continue to “transform fabric and fibers into exquisite art that touches you and those who view it.”

Martha Wolfe, January 2021

 

Join FRCQ Today!

 

Please join this fun, lively artistic group of 150+ members. Our monthly meetings feature international, national or local speakers. Only members are eligible to participate in our dynamic workshops and excellent juried exhibitions. Membership dues are $35 a year and membership runs for 12 months. Dues are $25 a year for Student Members, available for those enrolled in a course of study.  Membership in FRCQ includes all meetings, a high-quality monthly online newsletter, and eligibility to register for workshops. Visitors are welcome to the monthly meetings for a $10.00 fee.

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(If you would prefer to mail a membership form with a check: FRCQ Membership Form)

 

 

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Meetings:

 

Dates: Every third Monday, January through November.

Location: All meetings are available on-line via Zoom with the link included in our monthly newsletter.  Several times per year, we hold hybrid in-person/zoom meetings. The location may vary, so please refer to the MEETINGS page on our website for information as to which meetings are in person and where they will be held.

Time: On-Line meetings run from 7:00-9:00 pm.  In-person meetings have social time which starts at 6:30 pm and the meeting from 7:00-9:00 pm.